DATE: 13 March 2018

TO:
FROM: KALINAW Youth Network Metro Manila Secretariat
SUBJECT: ALAM MINDANAO Educational Caravan

Greetings of Solidarity!
KALINAW (Kabataan Para sa Kapayapaan sa Mindanao) Youth Network is the broadest
Metro Manila-wide alliance of youth formations and individuals advocating for
environmental integrity and peace with justice in Mindanao. The alliance has been active
in forwarding campaigns that embodies the youth’s desire to uphold environment
protection, social justice, and people’s rights and welfare.
Last year, in partnership with Save Our Schools Network, Former Department of
Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez, and ABS-CBN Foundation,
KALINAW launched an anti-mining campaign entitled Panalipdan: Defend the
Mountains! Defend the People!. Its culmination, Paskuhang Bakwit, a gift-giving activity
for the Lumad was enjoined by almost 60 schools all over National Capital Region.
However, to this day, the call of the people of Mindanao continues. For months, the island
of Mindanao has faced a continuing crisis amidst the implementation and extension of
Martial Law. As such, as the militarization dictated by the Duterte regime decides to up
its ante, tens of thousands of evacuees and refugees – a bulk of which are Lumad – are
subjected to continuing displacement and human rights violations.
The long-standing struggle of Lumad and Moros for their land and life requires our
participation for it to be brought to light. As the opinion makers of society, we play the
crucial role of arousing and mobilizing fellow youth and students in amplifying the voices
of the marginalized – voices that have long been ignored by those in power. KALINAW
Youth Network is resolved to forward this cause.
It is in this light that we invite your student formation to be a part of ALAM
MINDANAO, an educational caravan which aims to shed light on the current situation
in Mindanao, especially its effect on the bakwit (evacuated) Lumad children. Several
groups from Save Our Schools Network Mindanao will come to Manila to conduct
integrations, engagements, teach-ins, and discussions
with schools and universities in the National Capital Region. Accordingly, KALINAW is
calling out to every student formation who are one with the campaign to initiate various
means of massive information drives which include public forums, classroom discussions,
photo exhibits, solidarity nights and other broad en masse activities. We believe that your
organization is one with the network’s endeavor to advance the democratic rights and
welfare of the people of Mindanao and fight for just and lasting peace.
Attached herewith is the concept paper of KALINAW. It includes a brief situationer of
Mindanao and a run-through of the network’s campaigns and possible activities that we
can work on together. For inquiries, you may contact us via e-mail at
kalinaw.sos@gmail.com or via mobile phone at 0905-288-9084. You may also like our
Facebook page, “Kalinaw Metro Manila” and follow us on Twitter @KalinawMM. Thank
you, and we are looking forward to your positive response!

With you in service,

Sophia Kaye P. Villarama

Regional Convenor

KALINAW Youth Network