Helping Out in Tondo, Manila (Published article)
Basically, its a competition where schools all over the world raise awareness regarding issues and marks are given based on many criterias. Press coverage is one of them, so thank you to the Star Rage team especially Ivy who was so kind to help out by publishing the article.
The organisation that we raised funds for is the Philippine Christian Foundation that rescues child laborers in the Tondo dumpsite, Manila and give them a proper education. The article practically explains everything so check it out =D
Click here to read the article on the Rage website
or read it here!
Wednesday December 9, 2009
Helping out in Tondo, Manila
“Eww ... ,” exclaimed my school mates in disgust.
The driver has just opened the door of the van and the stench was the first thing that hits us. This is one of the dumpsites in Tondo, which is an hour away from Manila, in the Philippines.
We had arrived at the Philippines Christian Foundation (PCF). This organisation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for poor Filipinos through education and family enhancement, regardless of religion, race, and political boundaries.
Our school, Kolej Tuanku Jaafar, had raised funds in support of this project recently as a part of the "Global Debates" competition, which currently has the participation of more than 90 other schools across the globe.
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A few of us had the opportunity to visit Tondo. We were in Manila for the Fobissea Music Festival 2009 which brings passionate singers and musicians from British schools all over South-East Asia together.
The Tondo dumpsite is not hard to describe as the word "dumpsite" is pretty much self-explanatory. There really was rubbish everywhere.
How could people live in such a place like this?
Such is the reality for around 700,000 people living in the area which makes Tondo the world's most densely populated district.
Moments after arriving we were greeted by a very vibrant Jane Walker, the founder and CEO of the Philippines Christian Foundation. She then brought us on a tour around the place.
"Back in 2002, I came to the Philippines during a sabbatical from work," she said.
"I was curious about the level of poverty in the Philippines and I came here to investigate."
She followed two boys to the dumpsite, and seeing the conditions that they were living in, Jane decided to do something about it. After getting approval from the government to use a building near the dumpsite, she raised funds through contacts in Britain and renovated the place.
"In those days, every room was filled with filthy garbage. We were shovelling out the dirt, painting and trying to make it a nicer place for kids to come."
Jane got the community involved as they were able to tell her what services they need.
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So her initial idea of a daycare centre for children eventually evolved into a school.
"In the early days we were using bed-side table for the kids because we did not have much money."
But over the years this initiative has gained more support and has enabled them PCF to upgrade and improve to the point now that they’re building a new school.
Several engineers have helped to design the new school, a four-storey building made out of container vans. Not only is it cheap, it is environmental friendly, too.
It would have its own kitchen, canteen, clinic, computer room and library. There will even be a roof deck that will be used as a recreation area.
Jane adds, "The best thing about this is that we could take the children out of this building and give them a proper school to study in."
So far the children have lost 36 teaching days due to floods. Well, dumpsites don't have proper drainage systems and it floods every time it rains.
"The water comes out through the ground and it floods for kilometers. You can even see it squirting out from the ground. The roof is okay though despite the occasional problems with rusty roofs," she explains.
Currently, most of the children attending the school established by PCF have been rescued from child labour. Often the only hot meals that they will receive is at school - breakfast and lunch.
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As an incentive, PCF gives the children rice for attending school. Besides that, the children get canned food, too, for academic excellence. This motivates the children to be serious in their studies.
PCF had their very first graduate last year, who came back to serve as a teacher. They also have 26 students who are on a ballet scholarship with Ballet Manila. One of them is being trained for an international competition.
Some have joined football teams and went on to win international competitions.
"We've got many talented children as they pour all their heart and soul into what they do," Jane shared.
One of the traits that set PCF apart from other organisations is their active involvement in conserving the environment. PCF has a training centre which equips adults with the skills to make jewellery and accessories out of waste products like magazines, cans, and toothpaste tubes. "We have a special product called the 'sexy bag'," says Lynie A. Pispisano, who is the Volunteer and Special Project Coordinator of PCF.
"It is made from toothpaste tubes, which is very strong material. This makes the bags very durable hence the name."
The programme ensures that families earn money above the minimum wage.
This year's Global Debates presented us with the topic "When it cannot do both, the UN should prioritise poverty reduction over combating climate change."
I can't help but reflect on what I've learnt from my experience in Tondo.
What is more important? Poverty reduction or combating climate change? These are two big problems that plague the existence of the human race. Some people argue that the issue regarding climate change should be given priority as it would affect the whole world.
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Others would object and stress that poverty is happening right now and people are dying because they could not afford to live. Therefore, poverty reduction should hold a higher priority.
The Philippines Christian Foundation proves that creative measure could be taken to combat climate change without neglecting the need of those stricken by poverty.
Another thing that caught my attention was the way these people live their live, full of optimism.
We are talking about people who are uncertain about their next meal. Yet they can still smile and welcome me into their community with open arms.
The community is very close knit at it is evident by the group of children playing among the rubbish. I saw a teenager transporting charcoal on a makeshift trishaw with his little brother assisting him by pushing from behind.
Our happiness is not determined by how much we have. A man who has nothing can be happier than a man who has everything. These things lingered in my mind as I flew back to Malaysia later that day, my shoes still dirty from the muddy ground of Tondo.
Perhaps what we all need in life is a little bit of what the people in Tondo have - optimism.
Keep updated with the Global Debates team from Kolej Tuanku Jaafar. Visit colourmegreen.wordpress.com.
