Inspirational Projects
Santuario de San Columbano
The Santuario de San Columbano, a major reforestation initiative of the Negros Nine Human Development Foundation, stands as a living testament to justice, healing, and ecological renewal. Founded in 2000, the foundation first focused on social justice and organic agriculture. Over time its mission expanded to embrace the care of creation, particularly the restoration of 70 hectares of land within the watershed of Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
Today, in partnership with the Columban Missionaries in the Philippines, the project continues to rehabilitate the remaining areas and advocates for their inclusion in the island's protected landscapes. More than a tree-planting effort, the Santuario seeks to restore an entire ecosystem where forests, wildlife, farms and human communities flourish together.
The project covers a 57-hectare watershed area, managed through an agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and a 12-hectare permaculture farm owned by the foundation. The initiatives include planting 40,000 native trees, rebuilding wildlife habitats and protecting water sources. Collaboration with the Diocese of Kabankalan, government agencies and local schools strengthens these initiatives. In October 2025, the Columbans and the Negros Nine Foundation formalized their partnership to enhance biodiversity restoration and climate resilience.
Columban Centre for Education and Mission
At the Columban Centre for Education and Mission (CCEM) in Peru, participants remember who they are around tables, with flour on their hands and stories in their hearts. Cooking workshops become more than recipes; they become moments of sharing ourselves. However, the deeper goal was always empowerment. We wanted each person to see themselves as a leader, ready to stand and speak when the appropriate time came.
From the very first invitation, every participant said yes. They said yes to sharing what we learned together, yes to stepping into leadership, yes to becoming the first inspiration for another migrant who might think, "If they can, maybe I can too." When we dig together, we don't just find our own treasure—we help each other to unearth gifts. In sharing what we discover, we become more than individuals: we become a community of leaders, rising together. That is the gift of the Migrant Ministry, continually unfolding in every story, every meal, and every life touched by those who say yes.
Rewilding in Solihull and Dalgan
Rewilding projects at the Columban House in Solihull, Britain nurture biodiversity, inspire young people, and build global solidarity for creation care.
Tree planting involving local children is one of the re-wilding initiatives which has seen thousands of trees planted and wildflower spaces created over the past few years, showcasing community-driven environmental stewardship and optimism.
Richer habitats encourage wildlife and a culture of care is fostered in the young. Rewilding rebuilds ecosystems that have previously been modified by human disturbance, using the plant and animal life that would have been present had the disturbance never occurred.
In doing so, rewilding restores the natural processes that provide humanity with clean air, water, food, shelter and medicine. And it creates spaces for wildlife to thrive.
At the Columban House in Solihull, the experience of being outside, engaging with nature and faith helped children to get their hands dirty in the soil and learn to appreciate it, explore pond life, marvel at the Columban bee hives, and learn about harmful impacts of pollution and habitat destruction.
Students help to plant native saplings in the Solihull grounds to support their rewilding project
This is all in line with the Columban mission priority of protecting biodiversity. Making peace with nature and nourishing biodiversity is integral to Columban Mission. Hearing the "cry of Earth and the cry of the poor" – according to the 2015 papal encyclical 'Laudato Si', is essential to living the Gospel. Columbans supported the last UN Conference on Biodiversity in 2024 (COP16) and its call to arrest the decline of biodiversity for the sake of the next generation.
A lauaan tree a tall hardwood native to the Philippines, often called 'Philippine Mahogany'
Practical action in Britain is linked with solidarity for communities on the front line of the climate crisis in the Philippines. Nearly 30 schools in Britain are now engaged in a five-year solidarity education programme with the Higaonon on southern Mindanao Island. An area has been reforested with native Lauaan trees, providing new habitats. The community also advocates for the rights of nature in the face of the throwaway culture, extractive industries and corruption.
In Ireland, the Columbans have always taken their stewardship of the nature and the land seriously at Dalgan Park. Over many years many thousands of trees have been planted in Dalgan. An arboretum of trees that have come from all over the world has been developed and a dedicated area has been set aside for this.
Three rivers run through the Columban land in Dalgan: the Skane, the Boyne and the Gabhra. Along with Meath County Council and Inland Fisheries Ireland the Columbans are repopulating the salmon nesting areas in the Skane. Many tons of sand have been placed in the river and over 50 trees have been planted with the result that a lot more salmon are appearing in the waters.
Dalgan has had bees for many years, initially down near the Boyne river in an area that is not very accessible. Recently Columbans have sought to develop the bee population in the garden area near the orchard.
Efforts continue to repopulate the land with native red squirrels and to protect the bird population from predators like cats.
Banks of the River Skane where it flows through Dalgan
Hope Workers' Centre Taiwan
The Hope Workers' Centre in Taoyuan, Taiwan, was founded by the Columban Missionaries 40 years ago in 1986 to serve as an advocacy hub and pastoral refuge for vulnerable migrant workers from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. It created a space where everyone feels truly welcome.
Every year, thousands of migrant workers arrive in Taiwan, leaving behind their families and familiar surroundings in search of a livelihood. They come from the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and other parts of Asia, often with hope but also with fear of exploitation and uncertainty. For many, their experience in Taiwan is not just about employment - it is about survival, dignity and faith.
The Hope Workers' Centre offers:
Migrant Support: Provides a welcoming community space, legal/social counseling, and emotional backing for overseas workers facing exploitation or isolation.
Pastoral Care: Facilitates regular religious services, fellowship, and leadership seminars, respecting diverse Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim backgrounds.
Care for Creation: Actively incorporates environmental justice and Laudato Si' ecological initiatives into community outreach.
Legal aid: Support to migrants facing labour disputes and discrimination.
Biodiversity Restoration and Protection: Inspired by Laudato Si', the Centre is forming a network of Laudato Si' animators in Taiwan to lead activities during the Church's annual Season of Creation (September 1 to October 4). The aim is to awaken ecological awareness and action within migrant and local communities. Caring for migrants and caring for creation are not separate missions. Both are about protecting life, dignity and the future of our shared home.
