"Aditako Bokodan Di Gawis" = Let Us Share our Blessings

ST. Mary's School, Sagada, Needs Your Help

St. Mary's School, Sagada [SMSS] is an Episcopal Church institution, established by American Missionaries in 1904 to help educate and  Christianize the so-called non-Christian tribes of  Northern Philippines [historically referred to as Igorots, Cultural Minorities, or indigenous people of the Cordillera mountain ranges of Northern Philippines]. 

SMSS subsequently became a source of affordable quality education for an indigenous community long been categorized among the poorest of the poor of Philippine society.

Through SMSS, many Igorot families came to appreciate the value of quality education grounded on, or tempered with, the tenets of Christianity.

Through SMSS, many Igorots were able to obtain higher education, became gainfully employed, attain lofty positions in their fields of endeavor or elected leaders in their communities.  Many of them point to the quality of education they received from SMSS as a key factor in their successes.

Unfortunately, SMSS  has been overtaken by adverse developments leading to a decision by the  Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines to announce that it can no longer sustain the operation of the school beyond year 2005.

Majority of igorots are still mired in poverty and cannot afford the tuition fees, board & lodging or cost of living required to attend the better-equipped and better-staffed schools in the cities or centers of education in the Philippines. The Igorots can not afford to lose SMSS.

The Igorots have, more often than not, been victims of ill-conceived government socio-economic policies and exploitation of their natural resources by unscrupulous local and foreign investors. Providing Igorots with as many schools as possible to educate as many of their children as possible will help them recognize and address most acts, forms or shapes of social injustice and economic exploitation.  They can not afford to lose SMSS.

Cognizant of the importance of SMSS, Sagada in the educational, spiritual, social, economic and/or political upliftment of Igorots in the mountain ranges of the Philippine Cordilleras, concerned SMSS alumni and friends  opposed  the plan to close the school.

Concerned alumni and friends are now in the forefront of efforts to rehabilitate SMSS. They are appealing for help from those who have been blessed with much in life to help their less fortunate brethren in the hinterlands of the Philippine Cordilleras.

To prospective individual and corporate-donors, you may chose to channel your help to SMSS through the SMSS Alumni and Friends Foundation. This is a public charity organization, tax exempt under section 501 (c) (3) of the U. S. Internal Revenue Code. As such, your contributions/donations through this  Foundation are tax deductible under section 170 of the Code.  You are also entitled to tax deductions for bequests, devises, transfers or gifts you make through SMSS Alumni and Friends Foundation under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the Code. [Proof of the tax-exempt status of SMSS Alumni and Friends Foundation can be provided prospective donors upon request.]

Please click on the hyperlinks at the left side or bottom of this page to find out more about SMSS and the efforts being undertaken to try and save this school in distress.

For clarifications on how you can make tax deductible contributions / donations to SMSS Alumni and Friends foundation please click on
Contact Persons.