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THE SETBI’s 3rd International Conference is organized by the Social Entrepreneurship, Technology, and Business Institute and the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP). There was a quiet anticipation in the building that housed the University of Southeastern Philippines’ audio-visual room. Participants from various universities from all over the country and government officials get ready for the Third International Conference on Persons Deprived of Liberty’s Transformative Education for Successful Re-entry, a conference initiated by the Social Entrepreneurship Technology and Business Institute. In 2016, Dr Aland Mizell and Atty. Susan P. Cariaga co-founded the first College Education Behind Bars in the Philippines and Southeast Asia after seeing the poor condition of the Davao City Jail. People who were presumed innocent stayed in jail for an average of ten years and all the time they weren’t doing anything. They asked themselves how they could help these people. At first, they wanted to propose a recovery program, but there were already many faith-based groups working with the jail, and what mattered to the people deprived of liberty were jobs.The two decided that if the PDLs were staying there for around ten years, they should get a college degree so they could find a job once they were released. They also agreed that this program should have a component of recovery and rehabilitation. They needed to teach these PDLs how to make the right life choices, or else, the released PDLs may become more clever with their crimes.Therefore, Dr. Mizell made a written proposal and gave it to Jail Management, who immediately approved it. They talked to the USeP president at the time, Dr. Lourdes Generalao over breakfast. They told her their proposal and she immediately jumped on it, agreeing that it was a noble project. She said she would take care of having it approved by her board. It was then that they drafted the Memorandum of Agreement between SETBI, USeP, and the BJMP. They had a tie signing at the Batasan Pambansa, then it was time to hit the ground running. They built the SETBI’s first campus in the Davao City Jail using their own funds since no one wanted to take the risk on them initially, wanting to see if it worked or not. Now, in 2024, it’s clearly working and drawing attention from all over the country and even abroad. Continue reading →

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To facilitate a reflective exploration of the transformative power of education for the country’s prison community, the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) and the Social Entrepreneurship, Technology, and Business Institute (SETBI) jointly hosted the 3rd International Conference on Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL)’s Transformative Education for Successful Re-entry on October 9-11, 2024, at the USeP Obrero Campus, Davao City. Bearing the theme, “Beyond Barriers: Reconnect and Rebuild”, the conference gathered educators, administrators, students, practitioners, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), lawmakers, law enforcers, wardens, and business leaders from different parts of the country and abroad, to deliberate on the topics, issues, and ideas most relevant to higher education in the prison community; thus, invigorating political conversations in the field.USeP Vice President for Research, Development and Extension Dr. Roger C. Montepio opened the conference while SETBI President Dr. Aland D. Mizell and USeP President Dr. Bonifacio G. Gabales, Jr. gave powerful messages contending that higher education coupled with values formation serves as a significant step in reimagining societal privilege and systemic inequalities through the lens of PDLs. Moreover, both underscored that education is a right that must be afforded to all people and that it is a shared responsibility. Continue reading →

93 PDL students transferred to their new dorm  inside  the College Education Behind Bars in a new building inside the Davao Prison and Penal Farm, in Davao del Norte. Before, only a small percentage of people have been able to get college degrees in prison. That’s about to change.Prison education is about hope for a better self and hope for a better life. Having the opportunity to go to college in prison started allowing PDLs to relax and focus their  energy solely on what they are going to do the day they go home , and that's what education is in prison. It's hope for a ebtter life . This is what education can do: break down lifelong barriers and open doors for new ways of thinking. Many of PDL have never experienced this before, given that they  often come from small, tight-knit communities from which they never ventured far.Some people think that getting into a college program in prison is the biggest hurdle. But it’s actually harder to remain motivated to stay in college. There are many significant barriers to college for the incarcerated,SETBI team helps come over these barriers. College Education Behind Bars (CEBB) is at the heart of all of SETBI’s work. Since 2016   CEBB has been working to provide incarcerated women and men participating in college study programs with a team of supportive and engaged mentors. We currently have over 40  volunteer mentors from throughout Philippines and internationaly . These dedicated mentors share not only their time but their hearts as they connect to and mentor our students and help them to believe in themselves, their ability to change the trajectory of their lives, and truly have hope for a positive and productive future. The powerful relationships and bonds that develop between CEBB Mentors and students impact not only those inside but equally our Teachers . These relationships bridge communities, develop understanding and awareness while creating powerful, lasting transformative relationships.

Elected New Set of MCISA officers took oath and accped the challenges of serving the their Community for academic year 2024-2025 in front of the group MCISA members on September 8 2024. At the MCI Weekly Study Forum , 40-45  young College Students from across the Davao city Universities come togther to explore the key issues such as , Climate change , War, Violence , Poverty, Peaace building , Human traficiking , hate, Suicide,  facing their generations , and determined their role in impplementing the Global goals. MCI’sweekly study forum is crucial because, unlike school community. The MCI’s weekly study Forum provides a suitable global platform for young people to articulate their thoughts and ideas on current social issues  affairs that impact their lives and communities, and prepare to effectively advocate for their views at the wider. It is also a space to learn about the importance of the weekly study forum  and how to contribute to it effectively, as well as provide a solid network of support during the Weekly study forum.

The Journey of a thousand mile definitely begins with one step,which means every step taken gets us closer to our goal,I Appreciate everyone for Putting trust in me which  has put me in the power and position to Evolve and Invigorate the activities of the Minority Care International Student Association ,however your supportive and active participation is still very much important  to take this Prestigious MCISA ogranization  to the next level.Feeling thankfulness and not expressing it, is like wrapping a present and not giving it,Today, I take the opportunity to put all my gratitude into words thank My Mentor and President of MCI Sir Aland  for bleiving in me , helping me , guiding me, correcting me and directing me in this journey of my life. Also  my thanks to outgoing Vice President Ate Theresa and her team of officers  who have witnessed it as a memorable and successful events you have done for MCISA . Also special thanks to you all for believing in me and for being here Today , May name is Lynntyh  Aguilar , On behalf of the MCISA ,  I would like to welcome you all to the 2024/2025  semester. I hope you all had a wonderful summer break and that you found plenty of time to relax and enjoy yourselves. Continue reading →

Many correctional facilities are open to Celebrate Recovery.  We have STEPS to recvoery pre-requsites for all our students . Many PDLS  are open to a program that will help them overcome the hurts, hang-ups and habits that have led to where they are.SETBI invited  Olga and Ross McClain, veterans from Texas   came and taught Steps to recovery classes in the DAPECOL . There is a way the community  can help the wounded move beyond their hurts, habits, and hang-ups to experiences the forgiveness of God . Ross and Olga taught and prayed for 140 male and female inmate leaders to fulfill their role as God-healing agents. To lead people forward in spiritual, physical, and emotional restoration is to walk in the footsteps of Christ. Ross and Olga had attended a CR summit in California the week before, so they had the updated tools to go through the CR materials. STEPS To recvoery faith based  program. Participants ask God  into their hearts, as their Lord and Savior, so the full path to recovery can begin. STEPS to Recovery is not solely a recovery program for addicts with chemical and alcohol addiction. It helps people find healing of wounds caused by abuse, grief, overeating, gambling and unhealthy relationships of many different kinds. It is a program that helps to remove the chemical bandage of addiction but also helps to heal the deeper wounds of hurts, habits, and hang-ups.

MCI retreat brings adults and youth together in celebrating the outdoors, in a beautiful, safe, fun environment. We all need to recharge and there is no better place to do it. In between playing, swimming, reading, meditations, fellowship, movie night, and our famous non-fiction book reading time you can also learn more about each other. This year our Keynote Speakers were Jeremy Coddington, Grant Boshart, Mitch , Dr. Kay, Ezra, Dr. Gloria Amaya , Emily Poulter , Tommy Poulter ,  , Ezra Rodarte and Ana Amaya . The theme for this year "I still Believe” that helps us how to how to cope with our hurts, habits, and hangs-ups. The book we studied at the retreat this year was Ordinary Angels about two toddler sisters whose disease made life saving liver transplants necessary. A struggling hairdresser, Sharon was the ordinary angel who raised funds and support for the medical needs and gave the girls love in the midst of the loss of their mother to cancer. The book alternated chapters about Sharon’s tireless efforts to garner enough support and about her childhood with abusive alcoholic parents. Jeremy’s provocative discussion questions led students to share about those who had helped them in their difficult lives.this movie promises to be a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving you laughing, crying, and most importantly, inspired. Based on a true story, it beautifully encapsulates the themes of courage, and overcoming obstacles, and, in many ways, mirrors the core principles we’ve upheld at the MCI  for decades.One of our guiding principles has always been, “Not just give , but teach how to give back to the community, It’s a simple yet profound approach that has been the backbone of our mission. Watching “Ordinary Angels” reinforced the power of this mantra in my own life. The film portrays the transformative journey that unfolds when we say yes to helping someone in need, even if we don’t have all the answers from the start. Miracles happen, and lives are not just changed but saved. Continue reading →