Voices 2: "The People behind the Voices"

Who are we? We are 90 adults who participated in this research: ages 18 years old above, single, married parents, and grand-parents. 

We live in 4 different Metro Manila communities.

1) Under the bridge and just above the estero. We have to be very creative and resourceful in building our rooms.  Without a degree, somehow we are architects. We know how to organize our little belongings in such a tiny place.

2) In a public cemetery, either inside the mausoleums (with the authorization of the owner) or make-shift structures on top of tombstones. We are not afraid of the ghosts. We don’t count any more the number of burials and tears we have witnessed.

3) Under another bridge, along another waterway, but with the same endurance and resilience as our friends from the first bridge.       

4) In a small upgraded informal settlers’ area. We don’t make both ends meet but some of us manage to live in a ‘formal housing’; tough, a minority.

In our last "Voices", we told you that we earn an average of P190/day. Some of us earn more than this while others earn less. Within our communities, we experience different levels of poverty. 

Most of us are self-employed,having informal work. We live near our source of livelihood and utilize whatever skills we have learned or experienced. A minority (around 15%) have contractual, casual or regular employment.

We know very well that we live in dangerous or inhospitable environments but we keep on residing there. Why? We always have to choose between “impossible choices”: Purchase materials for the school projects or buy food? Pay for the snacks of the children or buy medicine for my sick husband? Move to the relocation site to have a real 'house' or stay in Manila to keep the livelihood and scholarships? etc... 

Endless impossibilities. 

Voices: “We don’t earn enough to live in security”

This is part 1 of regular updates we will post about our participatory action-research done with families living in poverty, on housing, education and livelihood.

-The daily average income of an adult is 190Php. -If husband and wife both earn = 380Php/day average income for a family.
-22% of adults don’t earn or so irregularly that they can’t tell an average. 
-On the adults earning, 41% have more than one way of earning.

Based on NSO expenditure data, the lowest 30% of the population spend 59% of their earnings on food = the family spends 224Php out of 380Php in order to eat, independently of the number of children they have. Thus they still have 156Php to spend for other purposes.

Little exercise:
On what will the family spend on priority? Where will they live? How will the parents provide for the education of their children? What happens when health problems arise? What about leisure, culture?

The National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) in its “Report on the state of poverty in the country, as of first semester of 2012”, states that one family, in the NCR region, is not poor if they have more than 336Php per day.

So don't these families mentioned above live in poverty? Shouldn’t the amount from NSCB be reviewed upwards?

[Note: 54adults answered the survey. Including their spouses, 94 were questioned regarding their earnings (73 earn and 21 don’t earn)]

Why I Volunteer

by Carmen Perez


For six years, I have joined an activity for mothers living in deprived areas, creating Christmas decorations to brighten their homes.  Some live wooden structures built under a bridge. Some live in makeshift tarpaulins hooked up between mausoleums located in a cemetery.  Some are in crowded rooms found in overpopulated cement buildings. 

Each year has come with its special memories. This year's highlight was again joyful.   I arrived at the appointed hour but the first session had already started. This is to show how eager they are to do something to brighten their homes.  One young mother with her two-month old baby was first to sit for the activity I offered.  The children were allowed to come this year.  Previously, the mothers were discouraged to bring their children with them. Workshops were also held for children only.  But with whom could they leave their children behind? A young girl came to sit on my other side. Then, a little boy (around 8 years old) asked me if he could participate. So I made space for him to sit beside me and I helped him.  Soon after the half of the table were full of children.  They were two boys who also wanted to join.  So I asked them to bring stools, sit on the door ledge behind me so I could help them.  It was interesting that the boys were more enthusiastic. The activity involved pasting sequins and glitter on an angel cut-out. In the beginning I gave them pentel pens for them to color but they wanted to use the glitter. Imagine four or five boys (8 to 9 years) working so hard, no fidgeting, no jostling, sharing the glitter, helping one another.  Only at the end, did the little boy beside me spill the glitter on the table. I could easily excuse him. He was making his second angel, another one for his 2 year old brother.  As I packed my things to leave, the little one offered to bring the boxes to the car. At the gate, they all said their good-byes, some hugging, some making "Mano"(custom of pressing the hand against the elder's forehead and some kissing my arm. If I took into consideration, the preparation time (photocopying, putting materials and tools together), the travel time, the 3 hour-activity, the minimal expense of materials (scraps from previous workshops), I could not compress all these to gauge and measure the touching recompense I received in return. 

In giving and not expecting nor anticipating anything in return, one is rewarded, often times instantaneously.  It may not be from the person one had intended a gift  nor for whom one has done a good deed.  It is usually brought forth from within, a verve of feeling, an inner source or surely grace from God. This is why I volunteer.

Commemoration on october 14 at Malate Catholic Church

October 17: International Day to Overcome Extreme Poverty

Ang Pandaigdigang Araw Upang Sugpuin Ang Matinding Kahirapan 

A commemoration on Sunday October 14 at Malate Catholic Church Gymnasium from 1:00 to 5:00pm

International Day to Overcome Extreme Poverty

Extreme Poverty: a violation of Human Rights.

At the initiative of ATD Fourth World Movement, over one thousand people from five continents, who face the violence of poverty every day, shared their pain, their resistance and their initiatives. They shared their knowledge and their proposals with academics, public officials and others active in this field.
This film presents the violence of contempt, of being considered useless, of seeing ones rights to learn, to decent housing, to healthcare, to family life being endlessly violated. Sometimes it is aid itself which is so maladjusted that it becomes violent.
Breaking this silence concerns us all. It starts by recognising the courage of those who resist this violence and supporting their efforts. Because these men and women struggle tirelessly to build peace.

You can use this video for an event on October 17. It is a good tool to get into the international theme of this World Day for Overcoming Poverty.

http://overcomingpoverty.org/article/extreme-poverty-is-violence-video-8

A voice asking and acting for change

Mang Waldo lives under a bridge in Manila since many years. With others he has experienced demolition already but no sustainable projects were proposed. He points out to the need that the government asks the people what they wish, because they are the ones who know best what they need. They have to be considered as partners.

A 6min video in Tagalog subtitled in English.

http://www.unheard-voices.org/objectifs-du-millenaire-a-partir-de-lexperience-des-plus-pauvres-manille/?lang=en

A Fruitful Day Of Learning

By Tracy Cruz

All Together in Dignity (ATD) Fourth World Philippines in partnership with Fusion Essence, a charitable organization of Frontrow multi-level marketing firm, conducted workshops for 50 children of Hilum/Lozada on June 16, 2012 at Pandacan, Manila.

“I always like it when people are ready to share their time and talents with the children of disadvantaged communities. When you do this, you learn from each other, it’s an enriching experience for everyone,” Guy Malfait, ATD Program Director, shared. “From that moment on, the anonymous poor child has a name and a face, he or she becomes your brother or sister. As brothers and sisters, you’re responsible for each other. You can’t ignore them anymore.”

Volunteers were comprised of young entrepreneurs/networkers led by Nesty Ortiz, Frontrow’s Operations Manager. “The aim was to help the less fortunate kids and build the foundation of our company – humility, the ability to love more and do more for others,” Ortiz said. 

It was a magical day of genuine camaraderie. When the rain poured on the streets of Hilum/Lozada during the storytelling, we transferred to the ATD office and had fun walking to the venue.  We were one team, a family united by unconditional love. We protected and looked after each other.  Even the rain failed to damper the high spirits of volunteers, facilitators, and the kids.

The youth volunteers generously devoted their time and talents to the little ones.  The workshops included singing, dancing, and arts and crafts and the kids were grouped into several age groups (2 – 16 yrs old) to match their level of learning. The children had so much fun learning and they proudly showed off their artworks of paper folding mobiles, blow art, activity sheets and gamely performed their songs and dance numbers. There were several spontaneous dance showdowns were the kids enjoyed friendly competition while the adults lovingly watched and some even danced. The gifts of talent were given and received whole-heartedly and it was a beautiful event.

Let us live in a world empowered by compassion, understanding, and love. May the seeds of charity continue to grow in our hearts and bear fruits which sustain the plight of the poor.  ATD welcomes partnerships and volunteers.  For inquiries, contact ATD at 5639312 or Guy Malfait at 09474237238.