Humanist Global Charity supports HAPI program to assist Aeta people

The Aeta are an indigenous, tribal people who live in mountainous parts of the island of Luzon, in the Philippines.  They are Negritos, with dark skin. They are early inhabitants of the Philippines, preceding the Austronesian migrations. They were nomadic hunter-gatherers, but now they are settled and dependent on agriculture.

Ube (purple yam) is a versatile food, that tastes similar to taro. In the Philippines it is eaten in ube halaya, as an ingredient for ice cream, and in Halo-Halo, the national dessert. The Aeta plant plant 2 varieties, using organic fertilizer and organic insect killer. Planting a half hectare costs 5000 pesos - $100

Avocados were introduced to the Philippines in 1890 by Spaniards, via seeds from Mexico. They were re-introduced from 1902-1907 by the Americans. Avocados are now found growing all over the islands. The Aeta grow organic avocados on the mountainside and sell them in local markets.

HAPI (Humanist Alliance Philippines, Inc.) helps the Aetas of Mount Haduan, which consists of five clans.