Gelacio I. Yason Foundation-Family Farm School

Gelacio I. Yason Foundation-Family Farm School, Inc. (GIYF-FFS) was established in 2001 by lay leaders together with clergies of Pax Christi Vicariate Forane in Oriental Mindoro.  Its aim is to help contribute towards poverty alleviation in the locality through a holistic education approach.  Lay leaders consist of church volunteers coming from diverse background like rural development NGO, cooperative, academe and public service. Clergies come from the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) and diocesan priests. 

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GIYF-FFS started with the sheer commitment to serve the poorest of the poor with the hope of reviving the appreciation for agriculture among the youth.  Despite lack of funds to begin with, the prime movers of the school worked hard assuming multi-tasks even without salary.  The school survived for 3 years through loans from a parish to provide volunteer salary to teachers and own resources of the main founder, ExMayor Gelacio I. Yason or GIY as he is fondly called, for the food and study visits of boarding students. We do not charge the usual high fees of private schools so we really rely much on grants and other fund sourcing activities. Through the odds in making both ends meet coupled with the challenge of prevailing low regard for agriculture, GIY used to say, “Do not look at the problems for it will weaken you.  Instead, always focus on the good this project will bring to uplift the poor and it will give you strength.” GIY is a big inspiration to many people and respected even by his opponents in politics because his life was filled with integrity and genuine concern for the poor.  Even many years after his death, his inspiration of FAITH IN ACTION lingers.   

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Due to financial difficulties the school almost closed when the main founder, GIY died in October 4, 2004. But during the historical November 11, 2004 consultation meeting among the stakeholders, the parents with tears in their eyes while giving testimonies on the good effects of the school on their children pleaded to the school to continue.  Co-founder Mina Ballesteros continued the work with no salary for 2 years and subsisted on volunteer salary for years just to keep the school afloat.  Later, the school gained track record and passed from the stage of struggle to survival into threading the road to sustainability.

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The holistic approach of the school lies in the integrated formation of youth in the aspects of academics, character and skills.  The school interweave in its curriculum the advocacy for organic agriculture, social enterprise, environment, natural health care and holistic wellness.  These advocacies are believed  to effect economic upliftment while protecting the environment and developing the whole individual.  This unique integrated curriculum gives premium to character formation that makes the youth responsible with a heart, life skills to equip them in livelihood capabilities and academics to prepare them for the professional requisites of life. 

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This integrated approach is embodied in our vision:  Holistically well-formed youth and enabled communities through a vibrant Gelacio I. Yason Foundation-Family Farm School. Such inspiration impels us to continue despite the many challenges we face through these years of keeping this dedicated service to the marginalized sector possible. The sustained encouraging support of those who have faith in what we do and the results we have already been harvesting continue strengthen us along the way.  From 16 students in 2001, we have now benefitted 756 students with holistic education that does not only cater to academic development of students but also in formation of their character and acquisition of skills in organic farming and other climate action as well as in social enterprise and well-being practices.  Our advocacies in ecology, organic farming, social enterprise and well-being directly reached 9,582 individuals (males- 4,071, females- 5,871) and indirectly benefitted  14,265 (males-6,132, females-8,133) individuals from the school and community.  Some 700 organic vegetable gardens produced safe, cheap and healthy food for families. About 700 family enterprises were developed that helped in augmenting families’ livelihood while equipping our students with social enterprise skills.

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The standard facilities were developed little by little through the years with the help from various sources primarily Misean Cara of Ireland with the help of SVD linkage, Doctor Rudy Jaravata and friends who believe in our cause. From squatting at the Pastoral Center for first 3 years, we now have our own land with the help from the Institute of the Development of Educational and Ecological Alternatives (IDEAS) who sold the land at a low cost. Our batches of successful graduates are manifestations of the quality of education  we offer. The increase of enrolment reflects the good reputation we have earned.