May 19, 2009 - Bukas Palad, Manila

Michael and I experienced a lot this past week, which has left a great impression on us, and we hope to never forget.

Bukas Palad in Manila turns out to be different in many ways from the social centers here in Tagaytay. Although the mission is quite similar, and many of the services they offer are the same, everything in Manila is on a much larger scale, including the poverty.

For example, while here in Tagaytay, a doctor or dentist comes twice a month, in Manila, they come everyday, and the amount of sponsored children is almost double.

Michael and I had the opportunity to work in the clinic with expecting mothers, and preparing some of the materials for the dentists. We also helped in the school, preparing materials for the upcoming school year. In the morning we taught swim lessons to the older children (I was happy to come prepared from many summers at Woodstock Water Works).

While in Manila we actually got to stay in the housing units built for some of the poor families, and some of the workers at the social center. Just to give you an idea. The units are about the size of a small dorm room, two story, and fit two people semi comfortably for one week. Much longer and claustrophobia would start to set in. These units normally house a whole family, with multiple children. As you can imagine this means that the streets are filled with children playing because the homes are so tight. Builds much stronger community, because everyone is forced outside of their homes. Every time we opened our door about 5 children would run in, and play. It was nice to be immediately part of the community. But also hard to know that while we were only staying a week, this was permanent for them.

After this first experience, the social center is now building units twice this size.

But most striking was the home visits we made from which many of the sponsored children come from, and which Bukas Palad serves. The only description I can accurately give would be to imagine what a concentration camp might look like. People literally piled upon each other. Taking turns to sleep at night because there just isn't enough room on the dirt ground to sleep. And garbage everywhere. The houses are so crammed next to each other, on top of each other about 4 stories high, with pathways extremely narrow which children use as a bathroom. And this we are told is better than what most people have. Many push a small wagon around filled with family belongings which they unload at night in order for a place to sleep. Or they live under bridges over garbage filled rivers. The pain of seeing these communities, and hearing many heartbreaking stories was overwhelming.

And extremely confusing, because just across the rivers where these families live is extreme wealth. Thousands of people driving by everyday, and never accepting what over half of the population is living in.

It gave me a true examination of my own conscience and what I do not make myself see in my own city. What am I passing by everyday, what poverty exists that I refuse to see or help, allowing the culture of materialism and wealth cloud my vision. Michael and I realized how much of a responsibility we have to always keep our eyes open, and to not stand idle. We are very happy to have had this experience in Manila as it allowed us to grow, even if it was painful, and we hope to continue growing.

I will post some pictures soon which will help to illustrate in a tiny way what we experienced, and what others live.

Love you all.