Changing mindsets, changing lives

Doubt and skepticism greeted the USAID-funded Alliance for Mindanao Off-grid Renewable Energy (AMORE) Program staff when they first entered and introduced the program to the residents of Barangay Luuk Poblacion in Tongkil, Sulu. They later learned that the people in the community have grown wary of many non-government organizations (NGOs) who have come and gone with their promises unfulfilled.

But, to the residents’ great joy and relief, AMORE has proven that it is different from other programs. Alongside their changing perception on development programs, they have started organizing themselves into a Barangay Renewable Energy and Community Development Association (BRECDA) – something that they thought is not possible since they have so little belief in themselves and their skills, much less in their capacity to put up and manage an organization.

The community members even helped in the installation of the renewable energy systems. The community provided sand, gravel, water – all of which have to be transported from a far away source – and labor. They carried everything and dug all the holes and mixed the cement.  With such enthusiasm and participation, it only took them 1.5 days to install the balance of systems when it usually takes 3-4 days.