The first quarter of 2020 caught everyone by surprise when a dreaded virus spread rapidly all over the world that brought great concern to all citizens and governments in all affected countries.
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020 when the number of affected countries rose quickly in a month’s time infecting thousands of people and leaving significant numbers dead.
In the Philippines, the outbreak of local transmission in every province and city day-by-day after a few months was alarming as death toll became worrisome, making the government to declare a lockdown on the third week of March. At the onset, the Department of Health (DOH) was almost caught ill-prepared to address and contain the disease from spreading. After declaring certain hotspots in the country of COVID-19 under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), movements and activities of people were limited and every citizen and family were obliged to stay home for safety and protection. Quarantine passes were issued; observance to health protocols has been required such as washing of hands, maintaining social/physical distancing, wearing of face mask, and later, donning of face shield became the new normal.
Caption: Winning entries of the scholars for their creative expressions during COVID-19 (i.e. poem, song, dance, visual art)
Months of a stand-still experience during the quarantine, COVID-19 became not just a health crisis but a socio-economic crisis as well. Many lost their jobs with no other alternative sources of income; others resorted to depend on government subsidy (through the DSWD Social Amelioration Program) or on initiatives of the private sector including civil society organizations to provide food and other basic household necessities.
MAFI’s Pivot in its Operations
MAFI’s life and work, in particular, at the onset of the pandemic have never been the same. The foundation needed to meet the challenges brought about by COVID-19, and most importantly, to pivot its operations. Staff, scholars, parents, partners and community stakeholders have all been at risk health-wise and are affected economically. Owing to the limitations on movement, space, resources and time, MAFI staff had to adopt the “work from home” arrangement; with the closure of the dormitory at the start of the quarantine, which coincided with the end of school year, the scholars were obliged to go back to their homes and stay with their parents; the tribal leaders through the CTCCDI could not conduct their regular meetings and gatherings due to social distancing concerns and especially because most of them are more vulnerable to catch the virus being senior citizens; in lieu, MAFI regularly provides them with cash health assistance to help in their daily food and health needs. For their part, Board of Trustees have to conduct their quarterly meetings online or virtually.
Re-entry Planning. MAFI’s pivot for six months (June to December 2020) was done through the re-entry planning for the Educational Development Program (EDP), Community and Environment Program (CEP), Cultural Heritage Program (CHP), Administration, and Resource Mobilization Program, choosing only major and priority activities, which are doable and aligned with the present condition we are in.
Showcasing of Talent/Creativity during Quarantine. In particular, for EDP, one of the activities initiated for the current and graduating scholars was showcasing COVID-19 talents and creativity through the composition of songs and poems, portraying of dances, and visual arts/drawing. Entries of the scholars were done for two weeks and were submitted online, and judging came a few days after the closing date of submission.
Winners were proclaimed in four categories as follows:
Poem – Shem John M. Yusoya, a Mechanical Engineering student of University of Southern Mindanao (USM) Kidapawan City Campus;
Visual Arts/Drawing – Rustan Ebboy, BS VetMed of USM Kabacan;
Dance Video clip: Alene Joy I. Bastatas*, a graduating criminology student of Central Mindanao Colleges*; and,
Song Composition: Danely Jhade B. Delfin, BS Biology student at University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao, Davao City.
Scholars’ Continuing Monitoring, Supervision and Provision of Other Assistance. Amidst the pandemic, MAFI’s continuous support to the scholars came in regular online monitoring and supervision specially to ensure that they are in good health and sound well-being (psychologically and emotionally). At the start of the new school year in August-September 2020, online classes and became the mode of teaching due to restrictions in face-to-face classroom learning. Assessing their experience in the new learning set up, MAFI found the challenges and difficulties of the 20 scholars, such as absence of functional android phones or gadgets necessary for online classes, absence of, or intermittent internet connection, and risk of going outside during the night to look for accessible internet shops. As part of resource mobilization activity, EDP sought the support of the Office of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Kidapawan for at least four (4) MAFI scholars who are residents of Kidapawan City through the College Financial Assistance Program of Hon. Cenn Teena L. Taynan, SK Federation President. They were provided with android phone (Samsung AO1) during the city’s IP Month Celebration on October 17, 2020. Other scholars who needed functional gadgets were linked for possible assistance to the Governor’s Office in the Province of Cotabato and other private corporations. In addition to the regular allowances received by the scholars from MAFI, the foundation also provides monthly load allowances for internet access to support their online classes.
Caption: MAFI scholars (Noli Ecube, Hudson Bayawan and Jeron Damali) receiving their android phones from SK Federation President Hon. Cenn Teena Taynan during the ceremonies of the College Financial Assistance Program of Kidapawan City (Oct. 17, 2020). MAFI was represented by Social Worker Shaira Abarientos and Admin Staff Purple Bell Cabalinan.
As the foundation is trying to cope financially, MAFI puts importance to maintain intangible support to our scholars. Since face-to-face counseling is impossible, EDP Social Workers seek time that is convenient to the scholars by talking to them virtually. The “kumustahan” became the regular virtual activity by sharing their experiences and ideas in order to cope with stress and/or depression that they might encounter. Through the assistance of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC), five (5) slots were given to MAFI scholars to avail of MyGolana services, a virtual counseling group based in Manila with licensed psychologists and professional counselors.
Soap Making Project. Every institution, be it government or non-government, needed to act immediately to help one another in responding to this challenging situation. As an institution, MAFI came up with an idea to invest in soap making project in response to COVID-19. The Community and Environmental Program (CEP), in particular, had pivoted its plans by producing a natural bath soap that would ensure health and hygiene of the users.
Caption: The MAFI team doing the process of producing a do-it-yourself bath soap in a series of experiments – from crude to a more refined texture and quality (August-October 2020).
MAFI’s initiative to produce soap, in a series of experiments, is in response to COVID-19 that aims to make a unique kind of soap that is locally produced and a product inspired by our IP brothers and sisters in Mt. Apo. Also, the foundation seeks to promote environment-friendly product that seemingly conveys love and self-care through its formulation, and stress-relieving scents. The first trial was done internally on August 19, 2020 by the MAFI staff. Series of further experiments occurred in September and October to improve the quality of the product. Soon, it will be launched in local market in minimum volume, hoping to get the attention of a wider market. The soap making project is projected to be downloaded to the community as livelihood in the near future.
