MANILA, Philippines – Imagine a world where Muslims and Christians don’t fight, unity in diversity thrives, and religious prejudice doesn’t exist.

This vision – promoting peace through education – is exactly what drove Arizza Nocum, a 19-year old Industrial Engineering student, to build the Kristyano-Islam (KRIS) Peace Library in Zamboanga in 2008.

The Kris Peace Library is a place where children, regardless of age and religion – are welcome to study and read.

“The rationale behind the libraries is that we want to bring our children, both Muslim and Catholic, into a place where there is no bias. They learn together, read together, play together and make friendships and bonds,” Nocum explained. 

With the help of their partner organizations, the initiative spawned a total of 6 libraries – 3 in Zamboanga, one in Davao and one in Quezon City.  On an ordinary day, all 6 libraries can easily serve at least 100 young eager readers. 

Growing up 

Having a faithful Catholic for a father and a devout Muslim for a mother, Nocum grew up in a peaceful environment where both Muslim and Catholic practices are observed.  She attends Catholic mass, wears hijab during formal occasions, and doesn’t eat pork.

However, she learned that the world outside their home tells a very different story.  

Living in Zamboanga, she witnessed first-hand how tensions between Muslim and Catholic Filipinos turn violent.  In September, a 23-day standoff ensued between government forces and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Zamboanga. 

“Most people who live in areas where diversity is present do not find the peace we have found in our home. That’s what we tried to do with KRIS library – we want to extend the peace we experience in our own home to other people outside our home,” Nocum explained. 

Setbacks 

In Zamboanga and a lot of places in Mindanao, many public schools lack the necessary supply of books and educational materials. 

In one of their visits at a public school in Zamboanga, the school only had a pamphlet-filled shelf for a library, Nocum recalled. This strengthened her drive to make the KRIS Peace Library project successful. 

But as she learned the hard way, pursuing peace through education is not without its own set of challenges.

“In the beginning, the kids wanted to go to our libraries, but the parents are hesitant. They thought we will be converting their kids to Islam or to Christianity,” Nocum recalled.

Nocum patiently tried to share her family’s story – her motivation for starting the initiative. Eventually, kids along with their supportive parents flocked to their first KRIS Peace Library in Manicahan, Zamboanga City.

According to Nocum, managing the children with different religious backgrounds proved to be easy. 

“We thought that children might fight but when we brought the children there, they just played together. I think because when you are child, you do not judge people,” Nocum shared. 

Beneficiaries  

Aside from the library, the project also provides scholarship grants to students who are financially in need or whose parents are either farmers, fishermen, tricycle drivers or laundry women. 

“We teach all our scholars to be responsible in their libraries. They have to take care of the books and tutor the kids. They also facilitate activities in their libraries,” accdording to Nocum, there are around 50 scholars. Over they years, they have provided 373 scholarship grants. 

One of KRIS Peace Library’s scholars is Tevielyn Perdido. A junior BS BA Management student, Perdido almost quit her studies due to financial constraints.  

After graduating from high school, she was advised by her parents to stop studying to give way for her older sister who was in college then. 

But she wanted to continue her education: “Kung mag-i-stop ako, ibig sabihin inaasa ko lang lahat sa parents ko. Bakit hindi ako mismo gumawa ng sarili kong paraan para makapag-aral?”

(If I stop studying, it means I’ve only depended on my parents. Why don’t I just do something to continue studying?) 

A day before the enrollment, she learned about the scholarship opportunity KRIS Peace Library provides. Despite all odds and with the help of KRIS Peace Library, she was able to enroll.

Even her parents were surprised. 

“Nagulat yung tatay ko. Nagtanong siya, ‘Kaninong uniform yung nakasabit dyan?’ Hindi nila alam na sa akin na `yun,” Perdido shared. 

(My father was suprised. He asked, ‘Who owns that uniform?’ He had no idea it was mine.)

After 3 years with KRIS Peace Library, Perdido is now finishing her last two semesters in college. 

How you can help 

According to Nocum, people can help Perdido and other student beneficiaries like her through the simplest way possible – spreading the word about the initiative. 

“People can also donate old books, old computers, electrifc fans – practically anything that we can place in our libraries,” said.

Aside from donations, Nocum said that the library is also accepting volunteers who can help them organize activities for their beneficiaries. 

Nocum is hopeful. With the recent developments on Bangsamoro and the growth of her initiative, she believes that the peace she wishes for the country is no longer unreachable.

“I want more people to use education to promote peace. I want to see Muslims and Christians fighting – but (through) debates, events, conference, fora.” – Rappler.com 

For those who want to donate or volunteer for the KRIS Peace Library, visit their Facebook page.