The Agay are located on the northern island of Luzon. They are tribal communities that are native groups to the Philippines but who are stigmatized by the larger Filipino population and heavily discriminated against. Many tribal communities are left isolated in rural areas without access to education, safe water, adequate food or shelter.

The Wesleyan Churches within the KY/TN District started their partnership with the Agay Village in the Philippines in November, 2015.

Agriculture

The main goal for WHI and its partners is to provide the Agay community with agriculture training so that families have enough food, such as two meals a day in their households with a starch in both and a protein in one meal.

In 2016, the Agay community harvested their first corn from their 2 hectare land. They sold 64 bags of corn at the market and generated a stable income. Part of this income helped to repair 13 houses.

In addition to corn, the Agay community also harvested banana via a plantation that WHI helped to establish. Four hundred banana trees and 20 pineapple suckling were planted last year. Moreover, WHI constructed a drying floor. During the harvest season, rice, corn and other products are plucked and then adequately dried by sunlight the drying floor. This practice is important to reduce the loss from insects and mold. Even a small amount of moisture can decrease the quantity and quality to sell the yield. The youth also use the drying floor to play basketball and other games.

Moreover, WHI provided 12 cows, 6 calves and 6 water buffalos to family groups which can be used for plowing, milk, food security, or income. Currently 16 families have benefitted from receiving cows.