Bond

Dear Bond friends,

Here we are again, this time with the 3^rd edition of our BOND newsletter. Many activities took place in BOND network during the last 3 months, as well on Belgian as on Philippine side. In this edition you will find a summary of all these. Starting this edition, we will add an “agenda on the stocks” with all upcoming activities. Here for we kindly invite you all to send additional information to [email protected] to complete the agenda. You will also find links to websites or organisations which possibly can interest you. Added information of yours is welcome too! BOND is growing continually, and becomes more and more known on Belgian-Flemish ground and in Philippine landscape thanks to the effort of many persons, namely all of you!

BOND wants to promote an ecological friendly lifestyle, therefore our request to read this newsletter from your computer if possible, to save paper and ink. To shorten the print-version, we choose to separate the 2 languages instead of mixing them. Please, print only the needed language! In this edition the Dutch version is written first, followed by the English version. Enjoy reading!

This newsletter is designed for representatives and for members and sympathizers from BOND support groups as well. All written information is based on what you have sent us. So, if you want to share your findings, please send it to [email protected] J

NEWS FROM THE PHILIPPINES

BOND general

BOND meeting in CABIOKID

In the weekend from 12-13 February, another BOND meeting took place with Lana (BOND secretariat), Cecile (Salis), Jed (Pomcat), Tolids (Cabiokid), Manong Evet (Tommuanan) and Bert (Volens), to continue the development from the BOND Permaculture Course. This course will be a complete and practical manual about permaculture principles and implementations in the Philippine landscape/climate. The course will be published in English and Tagalog and can be used by all BOND partners.

The first phase was accomplished successfully during this meeting. During a second phase – which will be hold in Pomcat’s place (Daet, Bicol) – a further and more detailed development of the course will take place.

2^nd big BOND meeting in Volens (BOND)-11.11.11-Trias office, Manila.

This meeting took place on March 11 with representatives from Pomcat, Salis, Tommuanan, Laride, Cabiokid and Volens. Also a representative of PPA (Philippine Permaculture Association) took part in this meeting, to get to know BOND and to join the partnership.

The goal from this meeting is an update of ongoing and future projects within the own organisation and within BOND network. All partners could ‘sharpen’ their priority and secondary project proposals. During the meeting, the group also made guidelines for project proposal-making and/or for budget-proposals. Decisions were made regarding BOND budget and the upcoming BOND agenda. The complete minutes of this meeting (English) can be found with Lana, [email protected]

BOND networking: priority and secondary project-proposals within BOND partnerships.

Recently all Philippine BOND partners finished their proposals that are mostly important for them within BOND network. These proposals are two-levelled:

- A Priority proposal contains the request for expertise and guidance that they would like to receive from another BOND partner for a certain project in their own organisation, and this in a short period of time.

- A Secondary proposal contains the request for expertise and guidance that they would like to receive (but less urgent then the priority proposal), OR which they can offer themselves to another BOND partner.

The proposals are part of a two-way-travel: a request includes naturally an offer or commitment from the other BOND partners. The BOND core-group takes care of a healthy balance between offer and request.

A summary of the priority and secondary proposals can be found below, written per organisation.

POMCAT - Bicol

Own actions:

During the last 3 months, a lot of time is used for preparation and actual travel to Belgium (see below).

Pomcat also continued to develop a ‘multi-functional stove’ in response to the growing environmental, energy and economical crisis. Trees become a rarity, and to prevent uncontrolled cutting ànd to find a solution for the huge amounts of rotting coconut-husks which attracts rats and snakes, Pomcat developed these stoves. The model is inspired by Mexican and old-Philippine stoves, especially developed for the use of coconut-husks as fuel.

Nowadays the stove is in a testing-period in one of Pomcat’s member communities. More information about this project can be asked at [email protected]

BOND networking in the Philippines:

- Priority proposal: To develop models of permaculture home-gardens, farms and schools, based on integrated permaculture techniques. They expect useful information and guidance from other BOND partners (Cabiokid, PPA a.o.).

- Secondary proposal: To co-operate in the development of the BOND facilitator’s manual on permaculture (Permaculture course) and to create practical how-to-do-it-technical manuals for the participants of local workshops. The content of these manuals will be based on their own experiences and observations; the writing of the working-sheets will be in co-operation with Salis, experts in curriculum-writing. The manuals will be available for all BOND partners.

BOND networking with Belgium:

Three Pomcat members (Jed, Ogie and Macel) went to Belgium for an exchange-visit of 4 weeks (April).

Their contacts were mainly with 2 schools from Nijlen, Calezan and Gito, to focus on acquaintance, exchange, and preparation & planning for the coming reverse-visit. In July, eight students and five teachers will go to Pomcat for 2 weeks. They will co-operate with the educational and technical aspects of Pomcat’s activities in two communities. The Pomcat members will organise the local preparations.

SALIS, Saint Alphonsus Liguori Integrated School - Cavite

Own actions:

- Salis reports that they have been celebrating their 14^th Birthday (February 25) in theme of ‘Environment’. They want to make their students aware that care and protection of nature is a necessity nowadays, not only in their near environment, but as well nation- and worldwide. Salis is also working on a concept to develop their school in a ‘permaculture site’. The practical implementation, evolution and evaluation, will be the task of the students’ ecology club. To develop the concept, Salis requested co-operation with other BOND partners (see below). They report that the BOND permaculture course will be a very useful source of information for this project.

- After summer holidays, Salis wants to continue their community work in Freedom Ville by supporting the local Learning Resource Centre and Day-care class, in financial and educational matters. Therefore, Salis received 2,000 Euro from GROS Beveren-Waas, Belgium.

BOND networking in the Philippines:

- Priority proposal: To develop a curriculum design with permaculture framework. This includes: content of subject areas, physical plan for Salis school and other extra curricular programs.

- Secondary proposal: To co-operate in the development of the BOND facilitator’s guide on permaculture (Permaculture course) and to co-operate with Pomcats’ practical manuals (see Pomcat).

BOND networking with Belgium:

The ‘virtual’ exchange with Grade 6 students from Salis and Grade 6 students from a Flemish school De Rank (with guidance of a Brussels non-profit organisation De Wereldschool) was continually guided by their teachers, up to the start of Philippine summer holidays. The students also exchanged personal addresses to continue contact if wanted and possible.

Salis remains contact with this Belgian school and organisation, to deepen and improve the quality of the exchange regarding “mondial education in a globalised world”, as well on the Philippine as the Belgian (Flemish) side. Co-operators from De Wereldschool (-joined by some Belgian teachers-) have plans to visit the Philippines during summer 2006 for a working-visit.

CABIOKID – Nueva Ecija

Own actions:

Further development of the permaculture site continues, as well the land-development as the organisational aspects of the farm. Cabiokid regularly welcomes visitors who want to get to know this active demo-farm, or who want to make use of the training centre. Cabiokid reports that 2 graduate students from Davao have a practical training on the site.

BOND networking in the Philippines:

- Priority proposal: To develop a website for Cabiokid. On this website, Cabiokid organisation and its projects will be explained. It will also provide a link to an educational site on permaculture wherein the permaculture-principles and practical advises on how to start your own projects will be explained.

- Secondary proposal: To co-operate in the development of the BOND permaculture course by sharing practical insights and experiences on teaching permaculture to visitors and participants.

BOND networking with Belgium:

Cabiokid is supported by FNF (Limburg, Belgium) who submitted new budget-proposals to local organisations of the Province of Limburg in April and May. The 2 partner groups are looking for possibilities to organise a working-visit to Belgium in 2006 for co-operators from Cabiokid. More information on their website www.filnood.tk

PGX, People’s Global eXchange – Manila

Own actions and BOND networking in the Philippines: No recent information available.

BOND networking with Belgium:

Small native products, made by partner-groups from PGX (women organisations, cooperatives, street children, …), were brought to Belgium by the Pomcat-members who visited Belgium. Via Volens Belgium and the students from Nijlen these products have been mainly sold; the profit will go to the producers. The remaining products are placed in the office of Volens Belgium and will be used for the coming Belgian festivals and cultural trade-markets where BOND will take part (see agenda).

LARIDE, Labour Rights and Democracy - Manila

Own actions:

Laride continues their specialisation of services where contractual workers can ask for assistance and guidance. These services are mainly focussed on offering educational programs where labourers receive information about their rights as a worker, and which steps they have to take in case of violation. The educational programs also offer courses and workshops about health, basic rights and skills training. Laride searches for sources to provide these services for free.

To give their work a national character, Laride co-operated with Christians for Social Transformation (CCST) to establish the “Alyansa ng Working Pinoy”. The main goal is to form labour-associations nationwide who will – besides their own specific programs (see higher) – take part in national actions and activities. For this year the plan is to set up a national campaign for the social rights of Philippine labourers.

BOND networking in the Philippines:

- Priority proposal: To develop campaign-materials wherein guidelines and practical tips to set up (and/or to remain) a durable community will be explained. Laride will promote a Best-practices community for sustainable living and working, namely water-management, vegetable gardens, to sort and recycle garbage, facilities for general health, …

- Secondary proposal: To develop specific livelihood projects per member community.

BOND networking with Belgium:

For planning and organisation of the priority proposal, Laride is co-operating with Laride-Gent and with Philippe Crahay (previous Volens coöperant). Philippe has improved the project-proposal regarding water-management as well as its budget-proposal, which can be used to submit at possible subsidizers.

PAYOGA - Isabela

Own actions and BOND networking in the Philippines: No recent information available.

BOND networking with Belgium:

See Payoga-Belgium

TOMMUNANAN – Kidapawan (Mindanao)

Own actions;

Eleven (11) representatives from Tommuanan, coming from different communities, took part in the 2nd permaculture-course in Cabiokid (Luzon). During this 2^nd meeting the participants shared their successful and less successful experiences since their first meeting. By sharing, exchanging and hands-on training, they tried to find solutions for the experienced problems. All practices during this training were meant to serve as practical, feasible possibilities for application in the own community in Mindanao.

During the last months, Tommuanan also continued to develop their permaculture demo-farm in the centre of Kidapawan, and made a project-proposal to enlarge this with a “Tommuanan Learning Resource Centre”. With this centre it will be possible in future to provide training to community-members in their own region.

BOND networking in the Philippines:

- Priority proposal: The real organisation and implementation of the “Learning Resource Centre” and improve the office area. Also the continuation of permaculture projects on site in local communities, by supporting the community members with educational and practical guidance in implementing their permaculture projects.

- Secondary proposal: Tommuanan will establish a trading centre for local products, develop creativity and improve skills among the members. Tommuanan co-operates also in the development of the BOND permaculture course by sharing practical insights and experiences on teaching permaculture to community members.

BOND networking with Belgium:

See Tommuanan-Belgium.

VOLENS – Manila and Coron Islands “Saragpunta” project (Palawan)

Own actions: No recent information available.

BOND networking in the Philippines:

- Priority proposal: Exploring alternative ways of voluntarism. Therefore Volens will set up a system for people in Belgium, to engage in development initiatives in the Philippines. The idea is to tap retired people, people who are no longer working, and students in their free time, to come to the Philippines and work on a specific project based on the needs of communities and based on the skills and expertise of the volunteer.

- Secondary project: To set up a data base of interesting projects and organisations on sustainable development. The collected data can be consulted by all BOND partners to make exchange of knowledge, experts and tools possible within the network.

BOND networking with Belgium:

Volens Belgium and Philippines have regular contacts and are looking together at the possibilities to set up the BOND voluntary-system. Volens can give a valuable contribution because of their years of experience.

The Saragpunta project is in co-operation with the Province of Antwerp. On the Belgian side it is less important for the BOND network, but more for Volens Belgium.

PPA , Philippine Permaculture Association - Manila

PPA wants to co-operate with the following BOND proposals:

- Priority proposal: To take a lead role in the over-all permaculture course writing. PPA wants to play a major role in the development, publication and distribution of the BOND permaculture course.

- Secondary proposal: To come up with a website of permaculture, share its challenges and point out the challenges, difficulties and possibilities in the Philippines. PPA wants to post an educative website on permaculture from a general point of view. This will be developed in close co-operation with Cabiokid a.o.

NEWS FROM BELGIUM

BOND general

BOND meeting in Polygon (Volens) in Brussels: main points of the minutes

At first there was a short update of all partner-groups, shared by the present representatives or by the BOND secretary (Francis) if no representative available.

Different topics have been discussed. These are the most important conclusions:

- BOND Belgium will not be registered yet as independent organisation. This will create a lot of work which we can’t bear nowadays. This possibility will be reviewed by next year.

- Volens Belgium started a separate banc-account for BOND. Support-groups are asked to pay their financial support through this account. Doing this, they will receive a legal fiscal attest.

- BOND website: Because the previous volunteer (via FNF) can’t continue this task anymore, there is no BOND website available, but only a ‘blog’. Look at http://volens-bond-filippijnen.skynetblogs.be and also http://nieuwsbrief-bond.skynetblogs.be . On the latest it will be possible to read all BOND newsletters online. The proposal was raised to (re)create our own BOND website with co-operation of GROS (Hans and Mieke), Volens (Michel) and FNF (Francis). Anybody who has website-knowledge is welcome to join! Contact [email protected]

- Establish a BOND core group: Proposal to form a small core group that will meet regularly and will discuss the Belgian BOND actions and future development. This core group will have their first meeting coming September, attended by Tine (Turnhout), Roger (Laride-Gent), Mieke (GROS-Beveren), Francis (FNF + BOND secretariat) and a representative from Volens. This core group isn’t definitive; moves or changes are still possible.

- For publicity of BOND, a provisional BOND brochure has been made to use on festivals, during meetings, BOND actions, or activities from own organisations. Because it’s a temporary brochure, copies are made to distribute (= no printing yet). The brochure will be evaluated and adapted during the core group meeting in September. Acquiring at [email protected]

- Materials: A BOND banner (English), a map from the Philippines, and informative books can be borrowed anytime. Contact Karen from Volens at [email protected]

- Next BOND meeting is planned at the end of March or beginning of April 2006. Bert will be in Belgium by that time and can join.

The complete minutes of this meeting can be acquired via [email protected], in Flemish and French version. Sorry guys!

Support group POMCAT - Nijlen

- The active individuals of the support-group in Nijlen will try to become a ‘formal’ support-group and search for a name for their group (~ideas?!). As a formal group, it will be easier to find access to other organisations and local institutions.

- After the visit of the 3 Pomcat-members, teachers and students are preparing themselves for their exchange-visit to the Philippines this coming July. They organised several preparatory weekends in co-operation with Volens: Karen (educational co-operator), Roger (ex-coöperant and Laride member) and Mieke (ex-coöperant and GROS member). Step by step, teachers and students become a real close group and are impatiently looking forward for July. You will hear more soon!

GROS, Gemeentelijke Raad voor Ontwikkelingssamenwerking

(Local Council for Development Co-operation) - Beveren-Waas

- The GROS activities focus on the preparations for the 11.11.11 action-weeks (Oct-Nov) wherein they will mobilize the civilians of Beveren regarding North-South co-operation and solidarity actions. In the next GROS meeting, they will discuss if it’s possible that BOND will be represented as well during their November 11 activities.

- In June the work-group “Exchange-visit Philippines” will start their preparations. This exchange-visit is planned for the summer of 2006 and will give opportunities to active solidarity-workers of Beveren to be immerged in the Philippine reality. AtomBOND will be the main partner of exchange.

FNF, Filippijnen Noodfonds (Philippines Help Fund) - Hasselt

- FNF organised in Hasselt a seminar about the Cabiokid project on April 14, in co-operation with the organisation Contact Info. On April 27, Bert and Citas Peeters visited the FNForganisation. FNF aims to support a Philippine coordinator for Cabiokids’ permaculture-project, and wants to organise a working-visit for Cabiokid co-operators to Belgium in 2006. They look for people who want to help in organizing this visit; contact Francis via [email protected]

- FNF observes the developments of the budget-proposals they submitted in Hasselt and in the Province of Limburg in favour of Cabiokid-organisation.

- FNF organises also organises lots of different activities, with or without co-operation of other local groups. Have a look at www.filnood.tk !

Support group PGX – ??? to be established ???

The BOND core-group will discuss if it’s possible to find a ‘more steady partner’ in Belgium. One of the thought possibilities is to create an alternative trade of Philippine products (made by the PGX-partner groups) between PGX and Belgian BOND partners. Anybody who has other ideas, additional thoughts or suggestions, is very much welcome to share! Contact [email protected]

Support group LARIDE - Gent

Laride-Gent supports Laride-Philippines through analyses, evaluations and observations of the ongoing projects, as well as to submit budget-proposals to Belgian and European organisations.

The project in Antipolo regarding drinkable water and water-management has been further developed and followed-up by Laride-Gent in co-operation with Philippe Crahay (previous Volens-coöperant).

Support group PAYOGA – West Flanders & Limburg

In February, Dirk De Temmerman (Payoga West-Flanders, previous Volens-coöperant) visited the Payoga project in the Philippines together with the governor and deputies of West-Flanders. This visit strengthens the presence of Payoga in the community of West-Flanders, as well as the solidarity between the Belgian and Philippine partners.

Support group TOMMUNANAN – ??? to be established ???

The BOND core-group will discuss if it’s possible to find a ‘more steady partner’ for Tommuanan in Belgium. Anybody who has ideas or suggestions is very much welcome to share! Contact [email protected]

VOLENS - Brussels

Since February, Francis represents Volens and BOND in the national Philippine-platform from 11.11.11. In this way it’s possible for BOND to present itself step by step on the national level of North-South solidarity-groups.

As you could read in previous paragraphs, Volens Belgium has a key-role on the Belgian BOND side: Volens provides its offices and materials for BOND secretariat (once a month) and meetings, gives advise for financial matters and follows-up BOND bookkeeping, offers educational support, and pushes the publicity of BOND by distributing brochures and lending materials. Thanks very very much!

BOND agenda and links to websites: see next page

Verantwoordelijke Uitgever/ Responsible Publisher: BOND Belgium-Philippines – [email protected]

Secretariaat België: Volens, Tivolistraat 45, bus 1, B-1020 Brussel(s), Belgium

Secretariat Philippines: Salis, Addas II village, Molino Bacoor, Cavite, Philippines

AGENDA & LINKS

Agenda:

· On May 2, David Michiels starts as Volens-exposurist in Palawan to join the Saragpunta project during 3 months. Bert will be his coordinator.

· On May 6, the 1^st educational preparatory day takes place for the students and teachers from Nijlen. Theme is “Language and culture” and is guided by Volens (Karen and Mieke).

· On May 7-8, Karen (Volens) will represent BOND on Mano Mundo festival in Boom, Belgium. Mieke delivers BOND brochures, An (previous Volens-exposurist Ecuador) helps to build up the tent and materials, Katrijn (previous Volens Exposurist Philippines) helps to clean up. Thanks to all!

· On May 21, the 2^nd educational preparatory day takes place for the students and teachers from Nijlen. Theme is “Political-social landscape in the Philippines” and is guided by Volens (Karen and Roger).

· On June 3, Jed (Pomcat) receives an award in Utrecht (the Netherlands). The project, that includes the production of qualitative compost and that designs/stimulates local house-gardens, was selected as 1 of the final winners of the BID-challenge contest. Congratulations!

· On June 4, the 3^rd –and last- educational preparatory day takes place for the students and teachers from Nijlen. Theme is “Development work” and is guided by Volens (Karen).

· On July 8, the students and teachers from Nijlen leave for their Philippine exchange visit of 2 weeks.

· From July 2 to 14, Francis goes to the Philippines to visit all BOND partners (except Tommuanan) and will join the BOND meeting in Manila. This visit is meant as an evaluation of BONDnetwork, as base for a close follow-up coordinated by Volens. Volens subsidizes this travel.

· August ?: Kris Bracks starts as Volens-exposurist in Palawan to join the Saragpunta project during 3 months. Bert will be his coordinator.

· August 21: We celebrate the 1^st anniversary from Atom-Bond Philippines: Happy Birthday!

· … Followed by a new BOND newsletter. With this, we finish our 1st year of operation!

· August 28: Participation of BOND, Volens and FNF on the World(Water)fiesta in Bokrijk, Genk. Everybody welcome to join!

· September 2 & 3: Participation of BOND, FNF and Swos on the cultural-trade-market in Hasselt. Everybody welcome to join!

· September ?: 1st BOND core-group meeting in Polygon (office Volens) in Brussels.

· October 8: Volens-educational day for all support- and other Volens-related groups like BOND. Volens invites everybody for this interesting seminar!

· November 11: (with reservation) Participation of BOND via GROS-information desk on the yearly 11.11.11-action.

· November 19: Participation of BOND and FNF on the World-fiesta in Hasselt.

· December ?: Bart Van Eygen starts as Volens-exposurist in Cabiao to join the Cabiokid project during 2 months. Bert will be his coordinator.

links:

Dear Bond friends,

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