Over the past nine years, Marist Solidarity, in partnership with the FCJ Sisters in the Philippines, has provided financial assistance to 146 families living in Bagong Silangan; a desperately poor village—or barrio—located in Quezon City in Manila.
Bagong Silangan is located on the edge of a large rubbish dump. It is home to more than 500 families, who have moved from other parts of the country, seeking a better a life.
Within Bagong Silangan is the small barrio of Payatas. Most families here earn income from collecting rubbish and selling it at local markets as scrap material.
But there is often not enough money for families to cover costs of basic living. In the event of sickness or when school fees are due, some families will have no other option than to borrow from moneylenders at very high interest rates.
There is usually not enough money for families to maintain their badly deteriorating homes. Most houses have dirt floors and do not have adequate water-proofing. The constant tropical rains cause houses to deteriorate rapidly.
Through the ‘Payatas Housing Renovation Project’, the FCJ Sisters and Marist Solidarity are helping families undertake essential renovation of their homes. This year, eleven families have received support.
The project is overseen by the sisters in Payatas. They identify families with the highest level of need, and will give up to $250 Australian dollars to repair roofs and walls and up to $80 to build a concrete floor. Labour is provided by local men, living in the barrio.
The project also involves education, basic health, and the provision of clean water. The sisters say that the project is transforming the lives of families experiencing extreme poverty.
The Fajutagana family (pictured here), whose main source of income is from recycled plastic, recently received new walls and a roof.
The FCJ Sisters say that these families are always extremely grateful for the support they receive.
Visit the website payatashousing.org.au to find out more about this project.