L-R: Ronald, Geraldine and Clyde, scholars of the Jesuit IP Ministry in Zamboanguita, Malaybalay, Bukidnon
17-year old Ronald, who had stopped schooling for over a year to help his parents in the fields, had walked all the way from Sitio Lagaslasan, Barangay Kulaman, last summer to knock on the doors of parish priest Fr. Francisco Parilla, SJ in Zamboanguita, Bukidnon, in the hopes of being able to continue on to high school. He proceeded to enrol, all on his own, as a Grade 7 student in Saint Isidore High School (SIHS). Now one of 20 scholars of the Jesuit IP Ministry, living in the San Pedro Calungsod Lumad Dormitory and studying in SIHS in Zamboanguita, Ronald is president of his class. In the second grading period, Ronald made it to the academic honors list. After spending that weekend at home, and sharing the good news with his parents, the bright-eyed Ronald shared, grinning from ear to ear, “Ate, pag-uli nako, inihawan dayun ko ng akong ginikanan ng manok!” (“Ate, when I got home and my parents heard the news, we celebrated, and they offered a chicken for the occasion!”)
Thiting (leftmost) writing his autobiography during study periods at the Binhi te Paglaom Dormitory in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon
16-year old Thiting is a scholar of the Jesuit IP Ministry in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon. When asked to share his autobiography, he writes, “Noong bata pa ako para akong bulag. Nasabi ko ito dahil dati wala akong pinag-aralan. Ngayon unti-unti na akong nakakakita.” (‘In the past, I can liken myself to a blind man. I say this because I used to be uneducated. Now, I am slowly able to see.’) Thiting is one of 38 Umajanmen IP scholars living in the Binhi te Paglaom Lumad Dormitory of the Jesuit IP Ministry in Cabanglasan.
Sharing in the dreams of continued education for these young men and women are Rensi Pua and Gaby Alegre. Both are currently Jesuit Volunteers assigned in Zamboanguita and Cabanglasan, who wish to help in the mission through launching a fundraising effort known as the IPeace Initiative—a simple Christmas fundraising project with lofty goals. At Php200 per card, the IPeace Initiative invites everyone to an alternative way of sharing the Christmas spirit—through giving a donation gift card, in the name of a loved one, in lieu of the traditional present. The IPeace Initiative aims to support the Jesuits’ education and formation programs for Indigenous Peoples of the Umajamnēn and Pulangiyen tribes in Cabanglasan and Zamboanguita, Bukidnon. 
With the goal of raising 1.5 million pesos, funds will be used to continue running operations of 3 village-based literacy centers for 83 preschoolers, and in supporting the scholarships and maintaining 2 dormitories for 58 elementary/high school students. Furthermore, the IPeace Initiative also seeks to start up a college scholarship fund for deserving lumad high school graduates.
The IPeace Initiative is on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theipeaceinitiative, and can be reached via email: ipeacefundraising@gmail.com, or text: 0917 884 9494 (Globe) or 0998 9595 791 (SMART).
IPeace Initiative cards are available in Ateneo de Manila University (at the JVP National Office, Room 220, MVP-CSL), and in Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan (OSA-SACDEV STREAMS Office, the Office of Mission and Ministry, and the XU Church Sacristy).