Compostela: In the rugged hills of Compostela, Davao de Oro, two devoted nuns from the Handmaids of the Holy Spirit congregation are bringing faith, education, and compassion to one of the most isolated communities in the Philippines. Their mission unfolds in Sitio Kilabot, a remote village accessible only by rough mountain roads and motorcycle taxis known locally as habal habal.

Sisters Erlinda D. Tumulak and Ruby Eden live among families who face extreme poverty, where children often skip school to help their parents earn a living and many struggle to find enough food. Despite the hardships, the sisters have transformed a small bamboo and palm leaf hut into a home and mission center, complete with a vegetable garden, chickens, and a tilapia pond. A small solar panel and generator provide electricity, and spring water is their only source of clean water.

“Do not be afraid. Do not worry about food and clothing,” Sister Erlinda says. “Let yourself be used as an instrument by God in His own way.” Her words reflect the spirit of their congregation’s mission to live among the poor and help them feel the presence of God through simple acts of service and solidarity.

Every evening, young people gather at the sisters’ small house for lessons and prayers. They are taught not only reading and writing but also values rooted in faith and community life. For many, it is their only chance at education. On Sundays, the sisters and villagers make long treks to the parish church, often the only place with a mobile signal, to attend Mass and send messages to loved ones.

The sisters’ presence has brought a sense of hope to families who have long felt forgotten. Many residents depend on farming and logging to survive, but they often earn little from their crops due to unfair trade practices. The sisters encourage self reliance and unity, reminding people that God’s love can reach even the farthest corners of the mountains.

Beyond Sitio Kilabot, local officials in Compostela have been working to improve infrastructure and access to basic services, but the journey toward progress is slow. For now, the work of the Handmaids of the Holy Spirit stands as a living witness of faith in action, one that transforms lives not through grand gestures, but through daily sacrifices and unwavering compassion.

“Our hope,” Sister Erlinda says softly, “is that people may experience Christ through us.”