LOCATION:

Los Banos is approximately 65 kilometers west of Manila and 3 kilometers away from the University of the Philippines College of Agriculture. Rainfall is very unpredictable and the place is very susceptible to floodwater coming from Mount Makiling. Dense vegetation is evident throughout the area.

Tagalog is still the largest ethnic group in this town. Bicolano is the second largest ethnic bloc in the community. Other groups are the Visaya, Ilocano and Pampangueno.

1. A growing group of Christian exists in the community
   • Most of the residents claimed they are Christians. About 80% belong to the Roman Catholic faith, 10% from Iglesia ni Cristo and 10% from other denomination/fellowship groups.
   • Women are responsive in spiritual activities and attending church mass or worship services.
   • There are on-going Bible study classes in the area conducted by other church denomination and the Los Banos church.

2. The growing group of Christian is reaching out to serve others
   Road repair project is presently undertaken in the area through local government initiative.
3. Occasionally, the Catholic schools send students and lay workers to distribute food gifts and medical services to the residents.

4. A process to produce future community leaders with Biblical worldview has been established.
   • Many of the residents are believers of God. Because of various denominations in the area, belief in God varies. Some believe that there is only One God, some believe in the Lord Jesus while some people acknowledge Jesus only as Prophet and not a Savior. The population comprised mostly of children and young adults. Parent allowed children to attend Bible study acknowledging that it will do them good than harm.
   • If there are people who can be trained in biblical worldview, it could start a new understanding for people in the community.

5. Local leaders are in place with an increasingly biblical worldview and an ability and motivation to solve future problems.
   • There are formal leaders in the community. Said people were in-placed because of a local election. The head of the community is called "Barangay Chairman". There are Barangay Council.

   • The Barangay council is responsible for the community policies and execution of ordinances. They are the decision makers, Maintain peace and order and must be the one to attend to any community needs and problems.

   • Other existing organizations in the area as follows:
     1. Ahon sa Hirap,Inc.
     2. Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD)
     3. Barangay Tanod
     4. Sangguniang Kabataan
     5. Rotary Club
     6. Veterans Club
     7. Suhay Day Care Center.

6. Projects are established that add new resource to the community・
   • The per capita income is Php 2,000(US$40) per month.
   • Most family head works as sidecar driver, vendor,jeepney driver, fisherman and carpenter

SITUATION OF CHILDREN

Spiritual

The social life of the children evolves at home, school and own community. At a very young age, children are laid open to social and moral problems which caused maladjustment on their personality. The influence of the environment is sometimes stronger especially if parents do not spend much time at home and neglecting to care for their children.

Children are unprotected to all disease and oppression in the community. They don稚 have vaccines for common diseases. The supply of vaccines provided to children are very limited. Government hospital in the area are not equipped with good facilities to save lives of children. Private hospitals could hardly be afforded by most poor families.

The emotional status of the children is uncertain. Many children are suffering from low self-esteem. The children have difficulty expressing their ideas because at home they are not encouraged to do so.