IFFAsia Mission Project 2011 (Update 3)

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(Update 2) A "One-Stop Youth Centre" Hopes to Assist Homeless Youth in the City
(Update 1) Empowering Asian Youth Leaders Through Dialogue
Foster Family for students, interns and staff of IFFAsia

IFFAsia Mission Project 2011 (Update 2)

A “one-stop youth centre” hopes to assist homeless youth in the city

Kota Kinabalu – The Church in Sabah has conceptualised the latest “one-stop youth centre” to assist the numerous youth who leave home for the first time and eventually become homeless in big cities like Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Dominic Lim, executive secretary of the Archdiocesan Secretariat of Kota Kinabalu shared, it was reported in local newspaper that around thousands of Sabah youth, who went to West Malaysia and Singapore for living and studies, ended up homeless and sleeping on the streets.

He said that Malaysian government statistics show that Sabah is the poorest state in the whole country. Thus, many people, especially the youth from the rural areas are migrating to the city without proper preparation, and most of them are shocked by the cultural differences, and their competency is challenged by the city people.

He added that due to the lack of faith conviction, Catholic youth are easily converted to other religions, usually Islam, and the number of conversion is rapidly increasing today.

Lim shared this information with the students of Institute of Formation, Fondacio Asia (IFFAsia) during the first leg of their mission project in Sabah.

In order to prevent the above situation from becoming worse, the Church is trying many ways, such as organising camps and seminars to create awareness among the young people. The latest development is partnering with some NGOs to set up one-stop youth centres.

Mary Ann Baltazar is a volunteer of Youth-Prep Centre (YPC). She shared with IFFAsia that YPC is a centre that is not bounded by religion, aiming to provide a “point of reference” to the youth, particularly those who are deciding to leave home for the first time.

She said, “All the services that we provide here, including computer and internet service, legal advice, counseling, etc., are all free of charge for them. All we hope for is their best because our vision is ‘One person is of more value than the whole world”.

YPC is managed by the Youth Services of Pusat Kebajikan Good Shepherd (PKGS) in Kota Kinabalu. PKGS has been actively involved with rural and suburban youth since 2005 through its YouthPREPLink programme. The establishment of the centre is a corporate social responsibility project of the Sabah Credit Corporation in partnership with PKGS.

The centre started its services in March 2010. It is a youth drop-in centre which provides a safe place for the youth to seek professional assistance and support on issues which matter most to them - education, relationships, work, family, financial stability, and ultimately, a better future.

Rodrigo B. Babiera Jr., 22, a Filipino intern of IFFAsia, shared that his community in the Philippines set up a Youth Development Centre in Payatas five years ago. Upon his return, he hopes to help his community upgrade the centre according to this new one-stop centre concept.

He believes that young people today will appreciate this kind of professional services more and this new concept will be able to help the youth to upgrade and better prepare themselves before they go into the working world.

Nina Chan


Related stories:
(Update 1) Empowering Asian Youth Leaders Through Dialogue
Foster Family for students, interns and staff of IFFAsia

IFFAsia Mission Project 2011 (Update 1)

Empowering Asian Youth Leaders Through Dialogue

At its first plenary assembly in 1974, the Asian bishops gathered at the newly-organised Federation of Asian Bishops' Conference (FABC) declared that “The primary focus of our task of evangelization then, at this time in our history, is the building up of a truly local church”. Asked what is the local church, they responded “The local church is the realization and enfleshment of the Body of Christ in a given people, a given place and time”. On how to do this they spoke of the “triple dialogue with peoples particularly the poor, cultures, and religions”. Through this triple dialogue the Church in Asia hopes to be a “new way of being Church in Asia”.

The local churches in East Malaysia have a vision of becoming a communion of communities witnessing to the love of God, with basic Christian communities as building blocks of this vision. Like many parts of Asia, with globalization the influence of media is strongly felt by youth & families, affecting values, lifestyle and cultures. National policies, such as Islamisation, have affected young people and families on the ground. The history of peoples in the region, favorable economic situation, and other policies may have contributed to attract high number of internal migration from rural areas to cities and from neighboring countries. While it is obvious that migrants have contributed to the development of the country and economy, their presence also affects the local community and its dynamics.

Against this background, the IFFAsia Mission Project 2011 in Sabah seeks to learn how the local Churches are living out its mission of communion and dialogue. What is the inter-connection, if any, among all the realities and influencing factors? How can the local Church be more effective in its evangelizing mission? The month-long program will include dialogues with religious & civil society leaders, families, and young people. This year's project will be from January 17 to February 15, 2011. IFFAsia is collaborating with the local Dioceses for the activities. Some young leaders, elders and resource persons from the local communities will join students and staff in the program as part of a mutual learning process.

As in the previous year, the students are currently engaged in fund-raising and sponsorship as part of their mission training. They need to raise USD23,000 or about US1,000 per person to cover travel, board and lodging, and other incidental expenses for the project. Any help you can give will be appreciated.

As the project is well under way, we continue to raise the needed funds for the expenses of the members of the project team. Please email us at ifa.fondacio@gmail.com if you are interested to help.

Make a Difference Today! Be Part of IFFAsia's Schoolyear 2011-12!

“Young people are not only the objects of the Church’s pastoral care
but also the agents and co-workers in the Church’s mission.” - Ecclesia in Asia, #47

Application is now open for schoolyear 2011-12 at the Institute of Formation, Fondacio Asia (IFFAsia).

Download the Information and Application kits here.
IFFAsia Application Kit Dec2010

IFFAsia Information Kit Dec2010

Word of the Month (January 2011)

Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7

Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my spirit upon him;
   he will bring forth justice to the nations.
He will not cry or lift up his voice,
   or make it heard in the street;
a bruised reed he will not break,
   and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
   he will faithfully bring forth justice.
He will not grow faint or be crushed
   until he has established justice in the earth;
   and the coastlands wait for his teaching.

I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness,
   I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people,
   a light to the nations,
   to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
   from the prison those who sit in darkness.

Social Immersion - Challenges of Comfort Zone

The students and the formation team and staff from the Institute of Formation Fondacio Asia (IFFAsia) had their 10-day social immersion in October 2010 in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro, located southwest of Manila. They left their place with expectations and certain fears to follow the call of God, “come and see”.

The purpose of the immersion was to enable the students to understand the fundamental challenges, struggles and opportunities present in the social realities and practice their learnings on social analysis and community study.

The immersionists were divided to stay in 3 respective communities: the Fishing village, the Farming village, and the Mangyan (indigenous people in Mindoro) village. Each member had precious encounters and learnings through the 10-day journey, and experienced Jesus in their life through this little land. #

“I am disturbed”

Living in a simple and yet contented life as the Mangyans, without water and electricity, was my first experience in such uncomfortable life since I arrived in the Philippines months ago. However, it was alright because I managed to cope with the unusual things which happened around me which I called as “disturbance”.

My most significant experience was when we went to Bait (another housing area) in a 4-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle. I was so disturbed along the way because I had no place to sit and I was squatting uneasily at the backside of the car. On top of that, it was moving really fast and the road condition was bad with rocks and we also crossed some streams. I could not really straighten my back and neck. Oh my goodness! I was crying really, asking for God’s comfort because “God! I am suffering!” That was the day that I called for God often! I was so blessed that I finally felt at peace after we arrived safe and sound. Praise the Lord!

The experience taught me to be stronger. Surprisingly, in all the days in Mindoro I was more contemplative and “disturbed” by the people, by the environment, and by God. I encountered new “disturbances” every day and it amazed me. Why? Because I am more aware of myself, that I am more reflective. In silence, I was more conscious of myself, my surroundings, and the best thing was being more attentive to my relationship with my Creator. For me, to be anxious has allowed me to truly enter into an intimate relationship with God through the nature and the people. Besides, seeing the reality made me stronger in faith and in heart.

I thank God that each day of the immersion had brought eye-opening experiences for me. The people that I met particularly the children, the sisters and brothers, and the elderly motivated me to carry on my daily task regardless of the difficulties and the “disturbances” that are in me. I am blessed that these “disturbances” that I felt and encountered brought me nearer to my everyday God especially being a young missionary. It was indeed an enriching experience!

By Monica Lisa, East Malaysia

IFFAsia Student, Batch 2010-2011

“Fear Not”

Before I came to the Philippines, I’ve heard from my senior that in our formation programme, we will go through Social Immersion which is full of risks and challenges. Hearing that 3 years ago and now is my turn to face the real challenges; I feel I want to escape.

I was filled with so much fear, I worried about my safety, the environment, the people and also the way we will live there. Two weeks before the immersion, I could not sleep well; just to wait for the day to come.

It was a period of difficulty for me, but with the help of our formator and senior in the institute, by listening and encouraging me; through my personal prayer as well, I feel God as my close companion and I gained more positive attitude towards the immersion.

During the immersion, I really felt that God was accompanying me every day. I saw God surrounding me in my daily life there through my foster family, my group members and leader, and also the people I encountered.

Even though the immersion was filled with challenges and realities, but I was able to overcome all the fear in me, step by step; I felt joy and peace at the end. Because of this experience, I have learnt to enjoy my day in my ordinary life.

I realise now, if God wants me to go and take the challenge, He is the One to prepare me even before I know about it. I need to trust Him, and to really believe Him as my hope and my saviour. I felt deeply that God will give me whatever I need in my life! Thanks be to God, I am grateful for this experience and the people who supported me.

By Yang Lingling, China

IFFAsia Student, Batch 2010-2011

“Feet on the Ground, Back to Simplicity”

“I love you and I am with you always. Go in love and peace.” I carried these words with me and it was an invitation from God for me to start my mission in Mindoro as a son of God. I was with the indigenous people for 10 days. It was a new experience, living on the mountain. Every day and everything was not comfortable. No water, no electricity and the people are living in poverty. These realities challenged me to be an agent of change and to want to help them.

The 10 days on the mountain were difficult, tiring and challenging. Once, we went to another mountain to witness a Mangyan wedding with their unique culture. The mountain was very steep and slippery. I carried my bag and slippers while climbing and it was very difficult for me to walk and I felt so tired. I decided to stop and rest. While resting, I saw a man carrying a big speaker passing me. Seeing him, I remembered Jesus who carried his cross for us and God said to me, “Carry your cross and follow me.” The strength of the man motivated me to continue climbing. I fell down once and it made me suffer. However, God’s love made me continue climbing and these experiences led me to success, to overcome my own limitations.

Our dream is to have enough food

Seeing the realities in the life of these indigenous people, I feel sad. However, I can feel the people’s love, hope and happiness in the darkness they’re experiencing. Most importantly, I can see God in them. I learned many things from them. When I asked about their dream, most of their answers were: to have enough food to eat! I was so touched hearing their answer. It made me love them more and pray for them. It was a simple dream, yet full of meaning. I really put my feet on ground to strive to live in a simpler way. I discovered more about myself and I came to realise the meaning and the value of life. I also understand more about God’s mission in my life. From all these experiences, I became more patient, more faithful, more confident and more daring.

By Akalard Vikay (Hiew), Laos

IFFAsia Student, Batch 2010-2011

A Christmas Message

At the end of 2010, Ignacio Rosselot, president of Fondacio, delivers his Christmas message.
Christmas Message 2010 IRosselot