Rita and Aganis live in a remote community in North Luzon, Philippines. The South Australian Uniting Church has had a partnership with the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), North Luzon for many years. Rita and Aganis, together with many others, will be positively impacted by the Indigenous People's Community Development Program, funded by Uniting World over a three year period. The Program is aiming to strengthen communities, encourage leadership and support networking between communities and organisations. This is one of the projects supported by Lent Event SA in 2011 and 2012.

Rita and Aganis have lived all of their lives in the mountains of the northern Philippines, growing their own food and being totally self sustaining. Life is hard, with no opportunities for improving their lives. Their young people all leave the village and go to the city to try and find work, as they have no future if they stay. Rita and Aganis hope that the Uniting World program will open up fresh possibilities and avenues of income for them. One priority is a new road so that their goods could be transported to sell at the market. Education is also a concern. They hope that more primary school teachers could be employed so that all of their children could attend school until the end of year seven.

Over a three year period, the Uniting Church in South Australia will be funding the training of the pastors from these communities in a multifaceted approach. The relevance of the Gospel in the context of that indigenous culture, community organising, mediation, peace making and management of natural disasters will all be part of the learning taking place in intensive sessions.

Please pray for

• Strength for the Coordinators and participants in the program .
• Peace from harassment, exploitation by mining companies and conflict within communities.
• Hope for the Good News of Jesus becoming more real in the context of the indigenous communities and transformation taking place.