In the Philippines, they say that the youngest child is often the most comfortable or has the least friction growing up in a household. But for an urban poor family in Metro Manila, that is not often the case.
Julia* is the youngest of five children, and her older siblings already have their own families to support. Her aging mother, whom she lives with, could no longer work the way she did before due to her declining health. The financial hardships in her home made her drop out of school, making it the lowest priority in her life before we met her.
When she joined the Manila Slum Program, she was able to enroll in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) and complete 10th grade! After passing, she was able to go back to formal schooling and is now in 11th grade. While she does this, she also took on part-time work to help herself and her mother.
Right now, she is completely dedicated to finishing 12th grade. She understands that education helps increase one’s opportunities. When she graduates, she is dedicated to finding a steady source of income to provide for herself and her mother.
Julia’s story is a testament to how opportunities for those who are disadvantaged help a great deal in pivoting their lives in the right direction. With continued support from our partners and donors, more girls from urban poor families in Manila can change their lives for the better.
*Name changed for privacy
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.
