Payatas barangay (a suburb in the Philippines) is considered to be one of the poorest in all of Metro Manila. Many foundations operate in this region to try and help improve the conditions of many impoverished families.
The FCJ Sisters have been working in the Payatas and Bagong Silangan barangays since 2002 and work out of their humble FCJ Centre. Payatas is characterised by a large open-air rubbish dump and the centre seeks to improve the lives of those approximately 6,000 people that live on the doorstep of the dump. Programs include community leadership training, computer training, microcredit, self-help groups, education programs, health services and housing and sanitation programs. AMS has been involved in the latter program which provides upgrades to the small shanty houses – which are as small as 3x3m and can house up to six people – and improves their quality of life. The beneficiaries of this program are visibly proud of their new living conditions which enables many of them to open a small business in their home.
In 2017-18 this project undertook repairs on 10 family houses, directly impacting 62 individuals, over 38 of which are children. The building works ranged from complete re-builds, to new walls, floors, roof or adding a mezzanine.
The Philippines is a country where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Vast inequality exists, and this was clearly evident in Metro Manila. Yet even in the most desperate of circumstances, there are people working to improve the lives of men, women and children.
For more information on AMS works in The Philippines visit: AMS Philippines Projects