Philippines

 PHILIPPINES RNDM logo

RNDM PRESENCE IN THE PHILIPPINES

The first two RNDMs to be missioned to the Philippines were from India and  Bangladesh. They came here in October 1987 and started to work among the Manobo  people of Kulaman. No doubt, sickness and many other forms of trials have been  part of our history. Yet the mission has come a long way. After a peiod of language study and culture they began ministry to the Dulangan  Monobo in response to their request after the loss of their forests and former  way of life. Today their are many more Sisters working in the Philippines and some Filipina Sisters have worked overseas in Senegal. Our region depends primarily on donations, bequests, funding from beyond the  Philippines. While some of our sisters are in remunerative positions and we are  making efforts to become self-supporting our income is still not sufficient to  cover the expenses of our ministries and our livelihood.  

Photo : Sisters in the Philippines, gathered for an assembly

RNDM Residence in Kulaman (May 1988) - apostolic works:

Photo : Manobo girls bringing in the fire wood for the cooking

Cotabato (August 1991):

• Accomodation for those coming to the town
• House of business, meetings, gatherings
• Peace education
• Women's issues
• Teaching at Notre Dame University and chaplaincy
• Ministry to a poor Muslim community in the city

Formation House, Cotabato (March 1994):

• Novitiate, Postulancy: "Come and See Programme" for those intersted in becoming an RNDM.

RNDM Residence, Manila (1995):

• A house of study for sisters, including those from other parts of the congregation
• Business and administration, visas and immigration
• House of hospitality
• Opening of a simple hostel for the first Dulangan Manobo girls to attend Elementary School.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR RNDMS IN THE PHILIPPINES

1998 : El Nino caused drought conditions in the Kulaman Valley leading to death for many Manobo people.

1998 : First Profession of the first two Filipina RNDMs

2000: Graduation of first Dulangan Manobo girl from High School . The young woman hopes to go on to college/University and become a teacher for her own people. We are looking for a scholarship for her, otherwise, this will not be possible. Any funding or scholarship possibilities please contact:

2007 : The Sisters celebrated 20 years of RNDM Foundation in the Philippines. 

Report from Philippines Sister Kathleen Prendergast

HEALTH WORK IN KULAMAN

Sister Salota Aimalefoa has been observing the cultural patterns of the people  with whom she works. There are interesting links with her own Samoan culture,  especially in the communal ownership of property and goods. Using ideas from  Samoa, she and the people have come up with a creative and culturally acceptable  way of disbursing the Honorarium granted by Misereor, Germany as payment to the  Manobo Health Workers of the various villages. Part of the money will go to the  respective villages for community development - provision of spades, hammers,  nails, seeds another part will be put aside for health-related emergencies and  functions in the villages and the Health Workers themselves will receive a  portion in return for their services to their communities. This decision has the  wholehearted approval of the people who are already responding to this incentive  with enthusiasm. And the amount per month? US $10 per village!  A wonderful example of how a little goes a long way in the missions.

Photo: A Manobo family coming in to the Sisters for help

For further information about our works, click on the following Solidarity Newsletters: Newsletter 1999#1, Newsletter 1999#3, Newsletter 2000#3,  Newsletter 2001#4,  Newsletter 2002#4, Newsletter 2003#4,  Newsletter 2005#3&4

ASSOCIATES & VOLUNTEERS

As yet, there is no formal program for Associates and volunteers. There is a small number of men and women who are associated in a variety of ways, mostly ministry related.

VOCATIONS

Photo: Our first Filipina Sisters to make final profession - in 2004. L.- Cora Cagalawan, working in Senegal R.- Fe Felisarta, working in Philippines

The young professed Sisters gather each year to reflect on their call to religious life and the challenge to personal growth. A number of Sisters in this 2004 group are fom our other provinces, studying in Manila, or on international experience. (Christine Lowther, Claudia Stecker and Kathleen Prendergast are in the back row - L.-2,3, and 4.)

 Please contact the following for more information on vocations, archives, associates, volunteers:

Leadership Team

RNDM Residence

PO Box 249

Cotabato City 9600

Philippines