Columban missionaries are “missionaries of the people,” serving the economically poor around the world.

Here are the project’s needs:
60 pedicabs ($500 each) $30,000
Equipment for repairs: $3,000
Seminars and training
for project beneficiaries: $4,000
Transportation costs $1,000
Administrative costs: $3,250

Columban Fr. Oliver McCrossan works amid the people in the poor areas of Ozamiz City on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines.

The people must work long hours each day just to eke out a living to support their families. Fr. Oliver reports to me that this is certainly the case for the city’s more than 3,000 drivers of three-wheeled pedicabs, which are pedal-powered tricycle taxis that carry passengers throughout the city.

The work of pedicab drivers is often the only means of support for their families. Each day from early dawn, in all kinds of weather they can be seen on the streets. One pedicab driver is Josefino Baylo, who despite physical handicaps works from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day for a total of about $1.80 in fares.

Pedicab drivers such as Josefino provide Ozamiz City with much-needed transportation service, bringing children to school, workers to offices and shoppers to the market.

Pedaling to Live

Many of the drivers in this city become ill due to continued, everyday exposure to the rain and hot sun, says Fr. Oliver, who has brought God’s words and aid to the poor on the island of Mindanao for more than 25 years. Fr. Oliver wants to help these pedicab drivers help themselves by providing them with new pedicab taxis through a self-help project he calls “Pedaling to Live.”

Most of the pedicab drivers do not own their own vehicles; they rent the tricycles by paying a daily fee. For example, Josefino usually pays half of his daily $1.80 in fares to rent his pedicab, leaving less than a dollar to take home to the family. Fr. Oliver wants to buy new pedicab taxis to help these hard-working people help themselves. His plan is to provide new pedicabs to the recipients during the first six months of the program. Ten more pedicabs would then be distributed during the second six months.

The idea is for the pedicab drivers to make payments to a people’s cooperative bank until the cost of the vehicle is paid for in 18 months. The loan payments would be less than the daily rental the drivers currently pay.

After all the payments are made, the drivers would then assume ownership of their pedicabs. The repayments will be used to buy new pedicabs to be made available to other drivers and their families. So far, Fr. Oliver has turned over five pedicabs to drivers. More are on a waiting list, but lack of funds is a problem.

Pedaling to Live

This is where you can help. Fr. Oliver has asked me to turn to our generous Columban benefactors for seed money for this project. Your support will help buy pedicabs for the “Pedaling to Live” project as well as pay for pedicab repair and administrative support for the program.

Even a small donation can go a long way toward helping these hard-working people better provide for their families. I think that in our heart of hearts, each of us knows that the inhuman exploitation of the labor of others cannot be God’s will.

Your tax-deductible donation, big or small, will give these drivers and their families new hope for a better life.

How you can help: Fr. Oliver would like to purchase 60 new pedicabs to help the people become self-sustaining in their own business.

Gratefully yours in Christ,
Fr. John Burger
U.S. Region Director

How You Can Help

Columban Father Vincent Busch has asked for financial help to repair, equip and furnish an office, dormitory, and workshop for the Subanen Crafts Project. Your help will enable poor Subanen women feed, shelter and educate their families.

Office Needs
Repairs: New windows, ceiling and ventilation fans
Cost: $1,500

Furnishings and equipment: lighting fixtures, desks and chairs, filing cabinets, computer, printer, camera for making catalogue photos, office supplies, etc.
Cost: $2,000

Workshop Needs
Repairs: New roof with insulation
Cost: $4,000

Furnishings and equipment: work tables, chairs, electric fans, light fixtures, storage cabinets, lathes, acetylene welding set, electric grinder and sander, drills, molds, cable and wire cutters, vice grips, pliers, hammers, safety equipment, books on beading and jewelry design, needles, scissors, etc.
Cost: $3,000

Dormitory Needs
Repairs: painting the walls and ceiling, new electrical wiring, installation of ventilation fans, new plumbing for the bathroom, window repairs.
Cost: $2,500

Furnishings: lighting fixtures, study desks, table and chairs, bookshelves, cooking utensils, beds, etc.
Cost: $2,000

But one thing remains the same: Families everywhere share the human desire to feed, shelter and teach their children.

For the indigenous people of the Subanen tribe, this human desire is seldom realized.

The Subanen people live in the rugged mountains on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Columbans live and work among the Subanen, sharing their joys and sorrows. In this harsh land, the Subanens’ makeshift huts are open to the weather; their hillside gardens produce little food; and their children must trek for hours to attend poorly staffed and equipped schools.

But there is hope, a better way. The Subanen Crafts Project started by Columban Father Vincent Busch is now providing Subanen families with the means to improve their homes, enhance their diet and educate their children.

Many Subanen women are skilled bead-crafters and weavers. The Subanen Crafts Project promotes and markets their beautiful art and jewelry so they can earn a living.

Marcelita Balido, for example, has worked in the project for five years. During that time, she saved enough money to build a more substantial home for her husband and three children.

Fr. Busch reports that the story of how she improved her home is inspiring. With her earnings she bought sheets of galvanized roofing material in the nearest town. Then this slight, 80-pound woman carried her new roof, piece by piece, up the jagged five-mile trail to her remote mountain home where her husband was working. For more details, watch the video below.)

The weavers in the Subanen Crafts Project are gaining more than money. They gain self-esteem every time someone praises their works of art. With support and training, some of these women will eventually acquire the competence and confidence to run the project.

At present, many more Subanens would like to join the project. With a proper office, dormitory and workshop, the Subanen Crafts Project could train more weavers and more effectively market their crafts. Fr. Busch has access to accommodations, but major repairs are needed along with equipment and furnishings.

This is where you can help. Fr. Busch has asked me to turn to you, our generous Columban benefactors, so the Subanen Crafts Project can give more Subanens dignified and gainful employment. He is asking for donations to help repair, equip and furnish an office, dormitory and workshop for the Subanen weavers. With your help more Subanens will have dignified work and healthy lives.

Gratefully yours in Christ,
Fr. John Burger
U.S. Region Director

Please help the Columbans help Subanen women in the Philippines build a better life for themselves and their families through the Subanen Crafts Project. Your tax-deductible donation will help provide a suitable place for these women to learn and practice their livelihood.