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A plot of land for a lifetime

Poor plantation workers on Mindanao Island in the Philippines are struggling to obtain a piece of land from which they can live. Under the Philippine Land Reform Act, plantations bigger than 50 hectares are to be distributed to the workers in exchange for compensation. But many large landowners are resisting this law.

Plantation workers are joining forces to enforce their right collectively. Heks supports them through training courses on the land reform programme and legal advice on the planning and implementation of public actions to make themselves heard.

Alma, a 50-year old farmer struggled for almost ten years to obtain a plot of land. With the support of TFM, a Heks partner organisation, the former plantation worker was awarded 0.8 hectares. Through TFM she also learned how to manage her land profitably and sustainably. On her coconut plantation Alma is now also growing maize (corn), cocoa, moringa, fruit trees, peanuts, bananas, eggplants and other vegetables. The proceeds from the sale of eggplants were enough to buy a water pump. With the next profit she would like to secure a better education for her son.

Support HEKS with your online donation or by paying your contribution into the postal account HEKS 80-1115-1, with the mention «HEKS Collection» Thank you very much.