Our Manila Slum Program (MSP) helps alleviate poverty by supporting the schooling of children from vulnerable communities in Manila. Beneficiaries receive monthly financial support, and the program organizes regular meetings and seminars with the parents to ensure that they are part of their children’s education. The seminars cover important topics such as OSAEC (Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children) awareness and online safety. In the future, seminars about good parenting will be conducted, as guided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Parenting Effectiveness Service (PES).
Jing is one of the mothers in Marytown, our second neighborhood project for MSP. She was one of the mothers we usually see selling in the streets in their area. Her eldest daughter, Jei, was always with her to help in selling. What they earn from selling is rarely enough, so they scavenge trash at night in hopes of being able to provide meals for Jei and her three younger siblings. Although Jei was enrolled at school, she would incur absences to help her mother. Jei’s excessive absences caused her to fail her grade, and she would have to repeat her grade.
We recognized there is a gap to fill in their familial finances. If Jei was given enough external financial support, she no longer needed to scavenge with her mother. We talked to Jing about taking Jei as our beneficiary and she was very delighted by the offer. For Jing, this is a second chance for Jei’s education, and Jei is just as happy. Through the transportation allowance from the program, Jing made sure that Jei will no longer miss a day in school due to working.
In the beginning, it was more challenging for Jei to catch up in school because she had some learning difficulties despite being too old for her grade. But she kept pushing forward, and we are happy to report that Jei graduated from sixth grade last school year! What a wonderful achievement for the mother and daughter!
Her mother, on the other hand, found motivation and encouragement through the program’s monthly seminars for parents. She is also one of the mothers who attended our weekly Bible study and counseling. A few months ago, she enrolled in a free cookery course offered by TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority). Jing recently finished the course and was given a certificate! With her certificate and newly acquired skill, she can apply as a kitchen staff in restaurants and food stores—a more sustainable income source than selling and scavenging on streets. Jing is actively looking for kitchen staff hirings now and we are also assisting her in finding employment. She knows that when she lands a steady job, she would be able to sustain her children’s needs and their education.
We are glad to share stories of progress of our beneficiaries, both mother and child. We love seeing our beneficiaries empowered and making good decisions for themselves, gearing them towards sustainable development. Jing and Jei are just a couple of the many others we have helped through our partners and donors.
Our Partners
Be a Part of the Solution
We need 10 people or families each willing to donate USD 3,500 | AUD 5,000 per year for 3 years to start in a new community. Help us provide education and support to children and families in Manila’s slum communities.
With your support, we can stop the “slum story” with this generation of children.
