CYF RUN FOR LUMADS

RUN FOR LUMADS 2016

by Christian Youth Fellowship

Last September, the Christian Youth Fellowship celebrated its active role as youth in the church and in the community.  Aside from the usual activities being conducted during Youth Celebration such as, but not limited to bible studies, fellowships and praise nights, the CYF also boldly took a step in lobbying for one of the pressing issues in our society that caught not just the attention of Mindanao but the rest of the Philippines.  The issue of human rights violations on our Indigenous Peoples in Mindanao truly is something that our church, especially the CYF has to act upon.

Thus, September 17, 2016 was marked as one of the special days wherein majority of the Christian Youth Fellowship members from different jurisdictions and conferences raised their voices, stretched their arms and ran for the cause of our Lumad brothers and sisters. This activity, called “RUN FOR LUMADS” has made possible the raising of awareness, unity and commitment to support the Indigenous Peoples.  They are the forerunners of environmental preservation who are victims of militarization and human rights violations brought about by the so-called developmental projects in their ancestral lands.

Roughly 2000 individuals participated in the RUN FOR LUMADS, who came not only from the CYF but also from the different organizations of our church; church workers, women and men also joined the run.  The CYF was also able to mobilize and invite other denominations, community members, and organizations and even indigenous peoples.  Through engaging these different groups, the CYF was able to widen its campaign which also landed on various media stations including local TV and radio stations.  Aside from heightening awareness, raised funds went to the support of the Lumads who went back to their homes but found their livelihood destroyed by the military, and also for the schooling of Lumad children.

Attached herewith is the summary of details regarding delegation and funds raised by different conferences.

For more information, please click on the link: CYF RUN FOR LUMADS