2005/8/22
what is IYAMAN
- Is a non-government institution that provides scholarship to and trainings to the Cordilleran people who wants to take up social sciences courses. The association also promotes information dissemination to people about environmental awareness and protection and the promotion of sustainable agriculture.
vision
IYAMAN envisions for the upliftment and polishing of one’s potentials in contribution to the development of moral consciousness, social order and environment awareness to every individual here and abroad; and to be effective instrument for the awakening of the Cordillera people on what is going on in their environment.
MISSION
IYAMAN exist to provide trainings and exposures to the scholars in preparing them to work in the village and to facilitate exposure programs locally and internationally for better understanding and building cooperation of people towards the development o
GOALS
1. Help the needy and deserving individuals to acquire, develop and strengthen their attitude and skills through education.
2. Improve the quality of life of the villagers.
3. Develop self-reliant and self-sustaining community.
OBJECTIVES:
1. To provide educational support to indigent villagers.
2. To help in awakening people in the villages on the proper use and protection of natural resources.
3. To enhance the capabilities of every potential individuals in the villages to have progress depending on what they have.
PROGRAMS
Sustainable Environment
- Environmental Education Project
- Tree Planting
Alternative Agriculture Program/Sustainable Agriculture
- Organic Farming
Scholarship Program
HISTORY
IYAMAN is a combination of some Philippine languages and the Japanese language. I is a Kankanaey term, which means FROM. YAMA is a Japanese term for MOUNTAIN. YAMAN is a Tagalog term for TREASURE. IYAMAN is an Ilocano term for BEING GRATEFUL. YA and MA came from the names of two important Japanese persons in the formation of the scholarship program. Hence, IYAMAN is a program for the benefit of the people from the mountains; in grateful appreciation of the treasures shared by the Japanese friends led by these two important individuals.
IYAMAN Association, Inc. was born out of the friendship that was established between Japanese exposurists and a Filipina NGO worker. One of these Japanese exposurists took the initiative to bridge the gap of communication due to language barrier when she stayed in the Philippines for a year to learn English and Filipino culture. When communication became possible, she began to understand the plight of the students in the remote villages and started supporting one student in 1998. She brought used clothing’s in the Philippines and the Filipina partner sold them. The proceeds were used to pay one student’s tuition fee. This first scholar graduated as an engineer and is now employed in a good company in Manila
In 2002, more Japanese individuals offered their support for students coming from the villages. More than a dozen students were accepted as scholars and meet once a month for short activities and updates. These students, together with their parents signed a contract to serve for at least 3 years in their respective communities after graduating from college.
At first, the objective was to provide support to the students. However, with trainings, the groups widened their vision. They felt the need to register the groups with the SEC for proper identification. Furthermore they made their by-laws and policies that serve as their guidelines. A monthly training was created aside from the regular meetings.
IYAMAN believes in people’s participation, starting with what they know, building on what they have, and working among them. This is the reason why we got scholars from the villages, even those who are not intellectually gifted. We demand for all equal access to knowledge and information, to contribute to the development of a moral consciousness and social order where in every man, woman and child are provided the opportunity to develop his/he potential. IYAMAN hopes to contribute its modest share with the awakening of the people in Cordillera.
This financial assistance and trainings aim to empower people in the villages towards becoming self-reliant and self-sustaining communities. Furthermore, IYAMAN programs locally and internationally for better understanding of people and towards the development of a sense of solidarity and a peaceful co-existence.
At present, IYAMAN is concentrating on the trainings of the graduates and exposures of the scholars to prepare them to work in the villages after they graduate. The members are currently running an office now as part of their training. Programs are also designed to meet the needs of these graduates, the scholars in the lower years and other incoming scholars.
On April 2004, after the graduation of five scholars, IYAMAN started its Environmental Education Project in six selected elementary schools and the Alternative Agriculture in Sinacbat, Bakun, Benguet.
