Alongside the mining campaign our other programs continue and it is from these that we get hope. On April 3, 150 of our preschool children will “graduate” and can now enter Grade I with confidence despite their poverty, because of the skills they have attained. Despite a three-day a week feeding program, in a survey we carried out towards the end of 2005 more than half of these children were still malnourished. In the areas reached by our farming program food production is improving, thank God, as the soil is becoming more fertile, more fruit and a variety of root crops are becoming available and landslides are now very rare because of the contours. A lot of education in farming methods is still needed as the Subaanens adjust to farming a very limited area. This year in order to improve farm income we are planning to introduce abaca and rubber. We are hoping with the abaca to revive the skill of weaving and give income to some of the women. The herbal medicine program has helped prevent serious illness developing — our health staff have taught about 200 women in scattered barrios on different mountainside to make the medicine from herbs which the women themselves grow. At the end of the month another group of children will be finishing their classes for this year and we are grateful in this.

For all your support and concern we are very grateful and we pray that the joy on the risen Christ fill your hearts this coming feast of Easter.

With gratitude and prayers,

SR. KATHLEEN MELIA
Subaanen Center, Midsalip

LIST OF MINING COMPANIES THAT HAVE APPLIED IN MIDSALIP

1. GEOTECHNIQUES MINES INC.
2. CEBU ORE MINING AND MINERAL RESOURCES CORP.
3. VICTOR J. YU
4. A. P. TANG MINING PHIL. CORP
5. MINDANAO MINING AND MINERAL RESOURCES CORP.
6. TVI RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT PHILS. INC.
7. MUNICIPAL LIGA OF MIDSALIP RESOLUTION NO. 2005-04, June 26, 05 MINAHANG BAYAN