Spending a Year in Mindanao, Philippines

Benedikt Isert Bender Begins His Internship in March  

“I want to learn all that I can,” says Benedikt Isert Bender of his upcoming yearlong internship in the Philippines. “I want to become more well-rounded in the way that I see the world, and look forward to discovering if this is the type of work I want to do with my life.” 

Benedikt Isert Bender will spend one year with Dann and Joji Pantoja, MC Canada Witness workers, in Mindanao, Philippines. He was introduced to the work in the Philippines through Joji, Tala Bautista and Joseph Astrophel Ongkiko at the MCEC office in Waterloo last fall. Benedikt, a political science major from Brock University, is from Nith Valley Mennonite Church in New Hamburg, ON. 

“Through my studies, I became very interested in the colonial history of places and people,” says Benedikt. “I’ve done research and written papers on colonialism and peace and conflict, but until you are on the ground, you don’t get a true feel for the kind of work that is involved.” 

“I’m excited to learn from them and grow through this experience.”

Through Peacebuilders Community Inc. (PBCI) and its subsidiary, Coffee for Peace (CFP), Dann, Joji and their community serve the socially and economically vulnerable people in the conflicted Mindanao region of the Philippines. “We are anticipating with excitement Benedikt’s coming to Mindanao as our intern,” says Dann. Benedikt will be the CFP Social Enterprise Trainee & PBCI Communications Assistant. As a Social Enterprise Trainee at Coffee for Peace, he will learn the value chain of the coffee industry framed in social justice and peacebuilding. As an Information & Communications Assistant to the CEO of PeaceBuilders Community, he will be assisting in social media raw material gathering, drafting reports, and contributing to the organization's visibility and outreach efforts. 

This MCEC initiative, in partnership with MC Canada International Witness, connects youth and young adults in leadership development by providing subsidies for internship opportunities with International Witness ministry partners. “There is so much we can learn from the experiences of the global church,” says Norm Dyck, MCEC Mission Minister. “An international internship is an amazing opportunity to be immersed in a transformative learning context.” 

Benedikt leaves in mid-March. His fund-raising goal is $24,000. You can support him by donating to MCEC, designated “STIM-Bender.” 

“Dann, Joji and their community seem to be very passionate with all that they are doing,” says Benedikt. “I’m excited to learn from them and grow through this experience.”