Personal Reports from Manila

From Gina Babiano

We all know Manila is one of the poorest place here in the Philippines  I dont know why  Manila is the capital of the philippines while its suffer in poverty. Too many squatters area,too many malnourished children,too many people suffering from poverty.But I admit Life in Manila is full of Happiness.Even you dont have enough money there is may reason to be happy. Also when you have a lots of problem. One reason is people in manila is always positive than to be negative. You will never conquer your dreams  and pass trials in youre life when you are a negative thinker.Another reason is the people who surround you.  You can call a problem without solution. Problem is always have a solution if you help yourself together with the people surround you like friends and especially youre family. Life in Manila is full of destruction,poverty and sometimes sorrowful moments but in the end of the day we are still Filipinos. We can pass through our problems. I always think that when something bad happen it will not last for the long time  eventually something  good will always come to your life. Just always think positive.

Black Nazarene

From Danica Dejapin, Manila

Philippines is catholic country , that why when January 09 comes all pilipinos every where in the country goes in quiapo manila for their PANATA its a feast of the black nazarene. Almost 1.5 million people gathered and show their faith. Everyone have their own towel and try their best to go up and wipe their towel to the black nazarene, believing that it can cure a sick by wiping it on to them and granting your wishes when you touch it. Its not easy to climb at it because of so many devotees who want to climb and touch it. Some of the devotees got injured, hard to breath,and sadly died. Thats why their a medical team everywhere and all of the hospitals in manila are in code white for preparing ifs their gonna be more serious happens. police all over the places to prevent terrorism and bad guys. the parade start at the quirino granstand and ended at the quiapo church and then mass. it takes almost or sometimes more than 18 hours before the black Nazarene comes back in quiapo church. devotees looks like an ocean wave while the Nazarene is like a boat because of the so many people in there. boys, girls, children's ang teenagers richs and poors are all in same faith believing trusting and giving all their worries in him. Filipinos prove that faith had no age and status, just believe in him.

Study ist the Key

From Rachel Tatoy, Manila

  • STUDY IS THE KEY

Everybody, including me wonders why do we need to study? Why do we need to go to school? Why do we need to study hard and push are dreams? At first I thought studying is all about singing,dancing and writing on my kinder grades.But when I am elementary i found out and learned the higher value of studying. studying will build your personality and confidence.Studying will lead you to achievements. But now i am on high school.I found out and learned the most important value of studying. Studying is the key to success. Studying is the key to the best future. Studying is the key to the best life. Studying is the key to good things to happen.But when you study hard and push your dreams not just good things will happen to your life but best things will welcome your future. So fellow students I want to encourage you to study hard and push your dreams because education is the best treasure that God gave to us. Aside from this is a God's gift this is the thing that no one can take it away from you. So give importance on studying.

(Aus dem Englisch übersetzt. Originaltext auf der englischen Seite)

 

 

Christmas in Manila

From Danica Dejapin, Manila

Filipino's known for celebrating a long Christmas. when the month ends with 'ber' like September, October, November and especially December, you'll start hearing Christmas songs, seeing Christmas decors everywhere. childrens in the street making carol.december 16 people wake up early at 4am to have their simbang gabi at the church with their families, to complete the 9 days mass before christmass and we believe that if you complete it your wish will be granted. in  the day of christmas all of the children, wearing their best dresses with a big smile and greet their ninongs and ninangs MALIGAYANG PASKO PO! and bless.

 

 

How to go to school

from Jamaica Bernales, Manila

 

the every day life for me and the people around my, is work for her/him family becouse if did not work the like my family we dont have food for today and also for tomorrow .... my father and my mother we dont have permament work they have side line work like repairring shoes and my mother is parking but the salary of my parents is too short for my family and if i add the pocket money for my school is so hard to badget ....and my school we have alot of project did not pay yet becouse my pocket money is not afford the amount of the project so i need to badget my money for my school ...sometimes i dont have money so ican go to school wedwot money also ,dont have breakfast... I need to go to school becouse i need to sacrifice that all for me and also for my family  and also for my ambition .after i go in school first i pray for my safety and also my family....!!

 

manilaprojekt.ch

Once a year we visit the children and their families in Manila. Over the past few years familiarity has grown.

 

 

Our last visit was in April 2018. We were pleased that most of the children successfully completed the school year.

 

Changes in the neighbourhood

 

As it is usual for an emerging nation, the city develops rapidly. From the airport to the city they’re building a highway viaduct, which progressed a lot in the last year.

Also our neighbourhood is in an euphoric mood. We see more people who can afford something. Since then there are a lot more street vendors with their supplies. Even our sponsored children wear better clothes than a few years ago. When we ask if their situation has improved, they deny it. There are more offers, but the products are more expensive and the income hasn’t increased. The children still suffer from hunger.

The more important is our goal to provide the children a way into the middle class through education.

 

Renewals in the project

Birth certificates

We only found out this year that many of our supported children don’t have a birth certificate they only have certificates of baptism. So far the baptism certificate was enough for the school enrolment. Sometimes people got cheap forgeries. Lately the government has decided that all students need an original copy of their birth certificates. But a late obtaining of the birth certificates is very expensive. If the students don’t have a birth certificate, they won’t get a school report and they can’t attend school anymore. So we paid all of the missing official copies.

 

Photo project

 

Several small groups of students have portrayed their lives with a camera and compiled a short film. We noticed that the children have a natural talent in photographing and we plan to expand this project next year.

 

 

Grades

To increase the educational and work opportunities, we require good grades. We encourage the children to achieve good grades. For the first time we stopped the sponsorship when the grades were poor.

The school level is much lower than in western countries. So we think that these claims are thoroughly realistic. Also the requirement for a special reward, the swimming excursion, has increased by one grade. We tell the children to work seriously if they want to have a chance on the job market.