Story of Young Moro

I am Safrola G. Cabaro Filipino A Muslim, A mranao, an art hobbyist and a project staff member of the Mensen Met een Missie (MM) project together with Alyansa Ng Kabataan Makabayan para sa Kapayapaan (AKMK).

How did I got here? I could probably say it's all just coincidence. It was during the height of COVID pandemic where everyone is locked up in their own safe spaces, which in my case is at home. I was a college fresh graduate at that time and was forced to become a "tambay", someone who's idling at home jobless all because employment at that time was challenging. So, I was idling at home when my aunt visited and mentioned something about an activity where youth were gathered to talk about the situation of the youth sector during the pandemic l, which is organized by AKMK and it's partner organizations My aunt invited me to participate and since I've got nothing else to do, I decided to join the said activity Little did I know that that activity will change the direction of my life After engaging with AKMK on that particular activity I got invited in another activities until one day I got an offer to work with AKMK on its project on arts under Mensen Met Een Missie

Back then I was a really shy person, communicating and talking in an audience is one of my weak point Also, I often disregard stuff that has nothing to do or directly influencing my life But with the help of AKMK I was able to train my self and my skills Another thing is that, with the arts project I was able to visit other areas in Mindanao and hear stories of success and struggles in each communities Through the art project I was able to meet Tri-people(Moro, Migrant Christian, and Indigenous People) youth from Iligan City, North Cotabato, and Maguindanao Hearing their stories changed my perspective and my outlook in life, specially the indigenous people who are struggling the most in their attempt to preserve their cultural identity in the midst of industrial development

They have been fighting for their cultural identity for decades but the battle doesn't feel like it's nearing it's end Like the Indigenous People of Mindanao, the Mranao and the migrant Christians also have their own fights that they have to deal with and having a peaceful relationship with each other can greatly help us in these battles

They have been fighting for their cultural identity for decades but the battle doesn't feel like it's nearing it's end Like the Indigenous People of Mindanao, the Mranao and the migrant Christians also have their own fights that they have to deal with and having a peaceful relationship with each other can greatly help us in these battles

We are hoping that by gathering these young people through this project and creating a fun and creative experience in surfacing their stories Hopefully this will create a ripple that will influence the society to build an harmonious life together as one community regardless of their culture and beliefs.