Growing peace and coffee in the Philippines
Lakambini Mapayapa and Lakan Sumulong (Joji and Dann Pantoja) are Mennonite Church Canada Witness workers. They founded Peacebuilders Community, Inc.
The island of Mindanao is known as a conflict zone in the Philippines. It is also the home of the PeaceBuilders Community Inc. (PBCI), founded by Lakan Sumulong and Lakambini Mapayapa (Dann and Joji Pantoja). PBCI provides peace-and-justice training for Christian church leaders, Indigenous leaders and civil society organizations. Their vision is that by the year 2030 each of the 81 provinces will have an established Peace and Reconciliation Community.
As part of PBCI’s sustainable development initiative, Joji works as CEO of Coffee for Peace, a social enterprise that works directly with local coffee farmers to ensure a fair return for their product and responsible environmental practices.
Building Peace Communities in the Philippines
Support Lakan Sumulong and Lakambini Mapayapa (Dann and Joji Pantoja), Witness workers in the Philippines
Malipayon Peace Hub fundraising campaign
Mennonite Church Canada’s International Witness ministry is inviting donations to complete the construction of the Malipayon Peace Hub in Mindanao, Philippines. The aim is to raise CAN$235,000 by March 2024. The completion of the project includes a new peace and reconciliation training centre for Peacebuilders Community Inc (PBCI), an upgraded processing and farmer training centre for Coffee for Peace (CFP), a new staff house and guest house, and a delivery vehicle. PBCI and CFP founders Dann and Joji Pantoja, who will transition into retirement in 2026, will lead the project in the Philippines. Jeanette Hanson, Director of Witness International Ministry, will coordinate fundraising efforts in Canada.
Short Term International Ministry (STIM)
Benedikt Isert-Bender of Ontario has committed a year to learn together with the PeaceBuilders Community of Mindanao, Philippines. He will be supporting and accompanying Peace and Reconciliation teams as they are invited to train Community groups, churches and Indigenous groups. The coffee farmers will instruct him on sustainable farming practices used in the Philippines and Coffee for Peace personnel will even teach him barista skills. He will be living and working in the shadow of Mt. Apo, near Davao City, in the newly built Malipayon Peace Hub. Please support Benedikt as he embarks on this journey of cross cultural learning and personal discovery accompanied by Witness workers Dann and Joji Pantoja, and Boyet Ongkiko of PBCI.
To donate to his work in the Philippines, click on the donate button and follow the directions for "give where most needed" providing the designation 'STIM-Bender'