Poverty in Welfareville

While many places in Manila are becoming more westernised with large shopping centres and many billboards, many locals are getting more accustomed to western thinking, doing and acting. There is however the other side and that is the poorest of the poor who are struggling with basic living skills.

While at Welfareville,the team visited a project called Bukang Liwayway.

There are a number of blocks which make up this area with many living below the poverty line. Each block, in total there are 41 is an area where people live,bathe,and do life together. The time spent visiting Welfareville was of great challenge as we saw the vast needs of the people, many living in small houses, often sharing facilities with others. There was an area which was being rebuilt as a result of a fire that destroyed a whole block. While walking around, I couldn't help but notice how people were smiling and asking us questions. It was like that people were content with things. Yes, they were in poverty but they showed lots of resilience, something which I can learn from. It is so encouraging to hear about what God is doing in this area with people coming to know God through the commitment and dedication of locals reaching out to the disadvantaged.

It is a good reminder to me to not worry about the simple things in life or to complain when things don't go exactly to plan. People have it far worse off then I do yet they are so humbled.

Below is the website with more info on Dawn for the poor.
http://www.bl.dawnforthepoor.org/joomla/



A clip can be found below of the founder of this organisation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BV2pmOu3l4