Food for the Hungry Int'l/ Philippines

Bario Menu Area, Tondo, Manila

SITUATION OF COMMUNITY

Social Situation

The monthly average income is Php 3000(US$60) to Php 4000(US$80). Most family head works as sidecar driver, vendor, and scavenger

The community has its own set of formal leaders. Said leaders are recognized by the Government as their official community leaders. The head is called the Barangay Chairman. The term of office is six years. Each barangay has a Barangay Council. They are responsible for the community policies and laws. The served as decision-makers and maintain peace and order in the community. Same with the Barangay Captain, their term of office is also six years.

FHI is the only Child Development agencies in the area. There are other organization helping this community but only on a seasonal basis. Some Government officials conduct Medical and Dental mission in the area as requested.

Spiritual Situation

50% of people living in the community are Catholics, 20% Iglesia ni Cristo, 30% Protestant. Most women and children are interested in spiritual activities. Men are not very much interested to spiritual things.

The Barangay Officials in this community are open for spiritual nurture. They allow FHI families to use the Barangay Hall as venue for their area Saturday bible study. They acknowledge the importance of studying God's word as profitable to their community members. [Top]

SITUATION OF THE CHILDREN

SPIRITUAL SITUATION OF THE CHILDREN

Children before sponsorship have no knowledge about the Word of God. They don't know how to use/read the Bible. Most families don't have a copy of the Bible but are very much interested to have a copy of it.

Most children uttered curse and lacks discipline (does not know how to follow orders/instruction). They are quarrelsome and very unruly. [Top]

INTELLECTUAL & VOCATIONAL SITUATION OF THE CHILDREN

A number of children could not attend school because their parents have not enough means to support them. Children could complete grade school but not secondary education. Support from parents was noted to be lacking. School meetings aren't attended and children's status in school was not monitored by their parents. This has been said as one key factor why children does not persist in their studies and does not strive to get good grades in school [Top]

SOCIAL/MORAL SITUATION OF THE CHILDREN

The social life of the children is confided only in their own community and in their school. At a very young age, children are exposed to social and moral problems, which caused maladjustment on their personality. Because most parents are engaged in earning a living for the family, children were left at home and are neglected of their other needs. [Top]

PHYSICAL (HEALTH) SITUATION OF THE CHILDREN

Children are vulnerable to all diseases and oppression in the community. The unsanitary ways of garbage and waste disposal is a great treat to the children's health. Added to this, the congested, dirty and polluted air is another factor.

There are children engaged in child labor in order to help their parents earn a living. [Top]