Cambodia Philippines Insight Tour

Cambodia April 5TH – 10th 09

Philippines April 10th – 17th 09
TEAR Fund INSIGHT TOURS
• Learn about the economic, social and spiritual climate in developing countries;
• Observe the living conditions and the lives of those in poverty;
• Witness the hope and dignity that have been restored in the lives of the world’s poor who can
now provide for their families through TEAR Fund’s ministry;
• Reflect on ways, as Kiwi’s living at a distance, we can impact their lives;
• Assimilate what you learn into your everyday life.

There’s a Better World to See!

You will go where tourists rarely travel. You will see the hope, energy and dignity of people
conquering hunger and poverty through their own enterprise.

This adventure will broaden your understanding of Third World poverty and its solution. It will also
enlarge your heart!

Experience things tourists can’t…..

• See micro businesses in operation and talk with loan recipients in their homes
• Visit Partner Agencies and meet staff
• Have dinner and discussions with members of the local Board of Directors
• Receive briefings on unique local conditions from scholars and officials
• Enjoy sightseeing, shopping and comfortable accommodation.
• Minister to staff of TEAR Fund’s local Christian field partners, pray through non-Christian environments.

With Like-Minded People…..

• Donors and friends of TEAR Fund

• Parents with their children who want to take a meaningful holiday exploring another country
• Business colleagues and friends who enjoy travelling together

Richard Barter, TEAR Fund’s Microenterprise Development Manager is familiar with Cambodia and the
Philippines and will work to make your journey interesting and enjoyable.

You will visit projects in the heart of Denpasar, in surrounding urban slum areas and rural
villages.

You will meet families who have broken out of this vicious cycle of debt and usury and been able to
provide for their children the basic necessities of education, health and good food in rural areas.

Costs are realistic compared to bulk commercial tours. You will get to know the local people in a
positive way you will never forget and experience the vibrancy of transformed communities.

It is easy to believe the problems out there are too big to solve, or to change channel and pretend they
don’t exist. Take this opportunity to encounter the reality 1 out of 5 people on this planet experience
daily, and a solution to their distress that will convince you there is indeed hope.

There will only be a limited number of places available. To get the good price airfares,
please make your reservation in the next week. You can stay longer, or go up earlier.

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PROPOSED TRIP : CAMBODIA PHILIPPINES 2009

TOUR LEADER: RICHARD BARTER

GOAL
To enable donors to see where their gifts have gone, how they have been used, understand
principles of Christian Development and learn about issues facing the poor in Cambodia and
the Philippines.

OBJECTIVES
• Be able to articulate the economic, social and spiritual climate in developing countries,
particularly Cambodia and the Philippines;
• Understand the living conditions and the lives of those in poverty;
• Witness the hope and dignity that have been restored in the lives of the world’s poor
who can now provide for their families through TEAR Fund’s ministry;
• Reflect on ways, as Kiwi’s living at a distance, we can impact their lives;
• Assimilate what you learn into your everyday life.
• Return to NZ and encourage others to provide support for the work of TEAR Fund in this
area.
• Endeavour to get a story of their trip in a local newspaper.
• Get good stories and photos from projects.

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PROPOSED TRIP DETAILS

Dates Cambodia April 5TH – 10th - Philippines April 10th – 17th 09

Close off date for applications: 1st Dec 2008.

First in first served with $400 non refundable deposit securing the advocates seat.

Draft Itinerary
Sunday 5th Arrive in Phnom Penh – Check in at Guest House. Look around
the city
Monday 6th Go aboard a river boat for the trip to Siem Rep.
Tuesday 7th Visit historic and Cultural Sites. Check out the Angkor Wat
Temple area.
Wednesday Visit local rural programmes of Credit in Siem Rep. Travel by bus
8th back to Kampong Cham.
Thursday 9th Visit Credit Office for introduction to the organisation. Visit the
Vulnerable Service Unit project (Microenterprise Development)
that TEAR Fund is supporting
Friday 10th Visit local historic and cultural sites such as the Killing Fields and
Genocide Museum. Prepare for overnight Flight home.
Saturday 11th Fly to Manila – Check in at Shalom Guest House
Sunday 12th Visit CCT office headed by Ruth Callanta. Join CCT Staff for
Devotions. CCT is an outstanding example of Christian
Microenterprise at it's best. In the morning we will be
introduced to the organisation and the many aspects of their
ministry. In the afternoon, we will visit communities in Tondo
Manila where CCT have worked for many years.
Monday 13th Visit Trust Banks supported by Participants
Tuesday 14th Drive to Cabanatuan to visit TEAR Fund’s Microenterprise Dev
Partner ASKI. They are running a programme working with
Indigenous Filipinos.
Wednesday Visit Rural Microenterprise Programmes
15th
Thursday 16th Drive Back to Manila, Relax and prepare for trip to Cambodia
or back to New Zealand.
Friday 17th Arrive back in New Zealand

Cost per individual ($NZD) Note, these figures are today’s prices Sept 08. This could change.
Costs per traveller includes a payment to TF to cover tour leaders costs.

For the Philippines and Cambodia Trip $4,730

Cambodia only $3,490
Philippines only $2,880

The above Costs will cover

• Accommodation over the period shown in the itinerary
• Main meals (excluding alcohol) plus morning afternoon teas while on organised
activities etc.
• Transport for all organised activities on the Itinerary
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 • TEAR Fund administration and staff costs
• Airfares from Auckland (You may choose to use your own agent, and may be able to
negotiate a better price)

The shared costs will not cover

• Room service charges including phone bills and laundry
• You will have the opportunity to take advantage of local tours. The hotel can arrange
this for you. You will pay the hotel or operator directly.
• Personal purchases etc.
• Meals while in transit at airports etc.
• Any medical fees while in Cambodia and the Philippines, and for any immunisations,
prescriptions etc. before going

Costs will depend on valuation of currencies at the time.

PROPOSED OUTCOMES OF TRIP

Educational
• Greater understanding of the work of TEAR Fund, and its partners and projects

• Better understanding of the country and its politics

• Greater understanding of Development and Christian Development

• Greater empathy and cultural sensitivity

• Better understanding of justice and poverty issues

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Areas in the Philippines we will travel to.

6
Areas in Cambodia we will travel to.

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Background to Microenterprise Development in
Cambodia/ Philippines
Partner Profile CCT
The Center for Community Transformation (CCT) is
a Christian development organization undertaking
transformational programs and services among the
poor. It started as an informal organization of
development professionals then became a formal
development institution in 1992. Its belief is that the
approaches to development must be holistic and
transformational, addressing both the material and
spiritual needs of people. They must empower
people to reach their full potential as transformed
human beings in the image of God.
Our Vision
A network of Christ-centered faith communities
where Jesus is honored and worshipped and where
people live with dignity and sufficiency in
accordance with God's plan for a just, humane and
caring society.
Our Mission
As followers of Christ, we join the Holy Spirit in
God's work of transforming lives and communities
Our Approach
Poverty-focused, sector-specific, family-centered,
community based
O j e c t i v e:
C o m m u n I t y transformation. To restore
'shalom' in the world through the
establishment of Christ-centred communities of
love, righteousness, justice
and peace. (Isa. 65:19-25;
Rom. 12:1-15:13). This
calls for a Spirit-led
process, modelled by the
LORD Jesus Christ (Lk.
4:18-19; 7:19-21). It
brings about harmony and
reconciliation, whereby
people are invited to repent of their sins, and
to trust and obey Jesus Christ by forming right
ideas and relationships with God, their
neighbours, creation and their selves (Mt. 22:
37-39; 2 Cor. 10:5). It enables every person
and community/people group to become what
God intended each of them to be (Eph. 4:17-
24; Col. 3:5-17).
Approach:
Holistic evangelism. In order to proclaim the
Gospel in its fullness and integral form among
every people group, we must be concerned for
the total welfare of the people - religious,
social, economic, educational, physical, etc.
(Mt. 9:35-38; cf. 25:31-46; Lk. 2:52; 10:30-
37).
Goal:
People empowerment. Whether the whole
community turns to Christ or not (most
probably a majority will become at least
sympathetic to the Gospel) with the hope that
the target people will have been enabled to
become mature and responsible (not
dependent) adults who can make dignified and
wise decisions for their individual and
communal life - as active participants (not
passive onlookers) in tackling issues that affect
their lives and destinies.
Strategy:
Contextualisation. There is only one Gospel,
but as many different expressions of faith
("religious forms") as there are communities
(1 Cor.9:18-23). Let the church planted grow
in its own soil; otherwise, it becomes "church-
transplanting" (not church-planting): Outside
resources may be tapped, but these must be
managed by truly empowered leaders who are
sensitive to their local culture(s) and able to
maximise the use of local resources.
Structure:
Interdependent groups. The organised
community will become a network of peoples'
organisations (some quite fixed/formal, others
ad hoc) led or strongly influenced by a core
group(s) of committed resident Christians who
have been discipled to serve as leaders in the
church and in the community.
Community Programs
Spiritual Development
CCT uses evangelism and discipleship to reach out
to urban poor communities, zealously witnessing to
them and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus
Christ. Those who decide to receive Jesus into their
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lives are nurtured and mentored in Christian values,
so that they too can disciple others.
Microfinance
Microfinance provides credit to poor families with no
collateral to be used as working capital for
business. Payable in easy installment terms, loans
range from P3,000 to P20,000 (US$60 to US$400).

Social Services
CCT's Social Services program hopes to see
strong, healthy, Christ-centered families. The
Program provides the following services:

1.Water Supply
and Sanitation
2.Nutrition
3.Health Services
4.Social Security
a) Social health
insurance
a) Life
insurance

Community Enterprise
CCT engages in joint venture activities with urban
poor communities and groups to make available
quality goods and services to the community. It
aims to provide employment opportunities for
community members. Examples of these social
enterprises include provision of potable water
systems, community drug stores, etc.

Child Development: Visions of Hope

Orphans, abandoned, and children of single parents
and indigent families are given financial assistance
to complete elementary and high school education.
The children are also given the opportunity to
attend weekly spiritual development classes,
leadership training, camps, art appreciation classes
and character formation activities.
http://www.visionsofhope.org.ph

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ASKI Profile
The Organisation
ALALAY SA KAUNLARAN SA GITNANG LUZON,
INC. (ASKI) is a non stock, non-profit Christian
development organisation. A group of Christian
leaders and businessmen in Nueva Ecija
registered the organisation with the Securities
and Exchange Commission in July 1987.
Vision
To se people living in accordance with God’s
plan for a just and caring society where all live
with dignity, sufficiency and responsibility
towards other and the rest of creation.
Mission
To promote socio-economic and spiritual
transformation in the Province of Nueva Ecija
by strengthening and harnessing the resources
of development organisations, cooperatives
and groups engaged in micro, cottage and
small enterprise development and assisting
individual beneficiaries alleviate poverty and
bring about the fullness of life based on
ecumenical Christian development philosophy.
Background information
ƒ The province of Nueva Ecija occupies the
eastern rim of Central Luzon Plains in
northern Philippines and is completely
landlocked. Surrounding provinces include
Pampanga and Bulacan in the South,
Pangasinan in the North, Aurora and Quezon
in the East and Tarlac in the West.
ƒ The predominant terrain within the province
comprises low lying alluvial plains and rolling
uplands.
ƒ In view of it being landlocked, the province’s
water resources are composed mainly of
surface and ground waters that are
harnessed for irrigation, power generation,
aquaculture, production, recreation, and
domestic consumption. Water for domestic
consumption is extracted from the ground
waters by means of deep wells and hand
pumps. Rural areas of the province with no
irrigation facilities extract ground water for
irrigation purposes.
ƒ The province has a total land area of
550,718 hectares, with 197,448 hectares
(37%) of this classified as forestland.
However, only 94,454 (48%) hectares is
forested. The numerous birds, reptiles,
mammals and insects are subject to
indiscriminate hunting.
ƒ There are 29 municipalities, 4 cities, and 849
barangays (villages) which make up the
province of Nueva Ecija. The province
contains a total population of 1,659,883,
growing at a rate of 2.11 % (census as of
2000). The regional and national regional
and national growth rates are 3.20% and
2.36 % respectively. Male population
accounts for 50.83% of the total population
while female population accounts for
49.17%. The Census 2000 indicates a total
household base of 340,158, with an average
of 4.87 individuals per household. The
working age population (aged 15 years old
and over) is estimated at approximately
1,065,000 (64.16%). Out of this
approximately 391,000 (36.7 %) are
unemployed, 674,000 (63.3%) are
employed. Forty two percent (42%) of
those employed are engaged in agriculture.
ƒ As per poverty threshold indicator, a person
in the province would need PHP11,319.00
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 per year at his disposal to ensure he/she
could meet their basic needs. There is a
poverty incidence of 15.4% in the
province. (Income and poverty indicators
1994-1997).
ƒ The province’s population density per
square kilometre is at 302, higher than that
of the national average of 255 per sq. km.
. Urban drift is apparent areas due to
perceived greater opportunities for gainful
employment, business activities, education,
better access to social services, etc
ƒ Both in the urban and in the rural area,
going to fiestas (elaborate community
celebrations) is a basic social norm.
People invest time and resources in such
activities. In the rural areas, a favourite
recreation activity post harvest season is
playing “tong-its” (a game card) or bingo.
ƒ Notably, the majority of both urban and
rural populations are able to meet the
three times a day diet requirement.
However, there is little evidence that the
diet is a balanced one.
ƒ Only a few cottage industries operate in
the rural due to low quality of electric
power, lack of water supply system and the
absence of adequate communication
systems. The same factors have
discouraged potential investors from
establishing factories and other forms of
industrial operations in the rural areas.
ƒ With regard to gender: women are partially
recognised as economically active. They
are not merely treated as housekeepers
but a “help meet” in their homes and
communities as well. They are given the
opportunity to deal with other people and
also manage small business to increase
family income.
ƒ There are multiple factors determining
poverty in both the urban and the rural
areas. The farmers and landless workers
in the rural areas suffer from limited and
poor rural infrastructure, which significantly
affects their productive capacity. The poor
infrastructure means limited access to the
markets that are essential to obtaining a fair
price for their produce.
ƒ Farmers and landless workers have very
limited access to capital as well as to
appropriate technology.
ƒ The informal sector is equally affected by
lack of appropriate technology and access to
markets. Thus, workers in the informal
sector suffer from irregular employment.
Further, they are subject to exploitative
terms and conditions at work.
ƒ A small number of families dominate both
the political and the economic scene in the
province. Aproximately 15 families own 85%
of the land. With the resource base and
political power they control they direct a
development process which does not always
align with the needs of the most vulnerable
ƒ Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion
in the province. Other significant religions
include Iglesia ni Kristo, Aglipay, Methodist,
Jehovah’s witness and Born Again Christians.
In general there is little discrimination on the
basis of religion in all spheres of life.
However the Christian tradition is the central
source of values which pervade society.
ƒ A.S.K.I. has been working as a poverty
community development agency in the
province of Nueva Ecija since 1987. Until
recently they have worked primarily with the
informal workforce through holistic micro-
finance programmes. However, a growing
realisation that the urban oriented micro-
finance programme is not a panacea in
development terms, has led them to seeking
ways in which they can broaden their
programme. A great deal of focus has been
brought to designing programmes which can
be used to facilitate truly sustainable
development for the most vulnerable
communities within their province. It is in
this context that ASKI has looked to the
more marginalised rural communities.
Land use
ƒ Quezon has a total land area of 6,937 hectares.
The agricultural area is about 6,050.27 hectares
or 87.22% of the total land area. Residential
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 areas (3.2%) in all barangays are concentrated
along the transport lines. The remaining land
area (9.58%) are utilised for commercial,
institutional and other purposes.
Agriculture/ Horticulture and Animal Husbandry
• Quezon is primarily agricultural land. Of its
total land area of 6.937 hectares, 87.22%
is devoted to agriculture. Rainfed area
covers 1,267.27. The terrain in the
municipality is generally flat and has silt
loam soil type, well suited to agriculture,
particularly to rice and corn growing.
ƒ There is an irrigation system in the area that is
made up of shallow tube wells and small farm
reservoirs. Irrigated area covers about 4,783
hectares.
ƒ Rain fed area covers 1,267.27 hectares and is
only suitable for cropping during the wet
season.
ƒ Vegetables and other root crops that are not
affected by scarce water supply, are planted as
a substitute to palay in rain fed areas during the
dry season. Vegetable production is not
immensely affected by water because it is
planted in bacood and puddy during dry
season and near creeks during rainy season.
Fruit bearing trees are grown for domestic
purposes only.
ƒ Drought is a problem during the dry season and
there is a need to encourage farmers to plant
drought resistant crops.
• The municipality’s agricultural production is
low largely due to inadequate water
supply, attributed to lack of adequate
irrigation during the dry season. Marketing
of farm produce is also inefficient as a
result of poor road networks and farm to
market roads.
• Farmers cannot get a good price from their
agricultural produce (palay) during the wet
season, largely because they are sold in
the immediate wet condition. Solar dryers,
apart from being limited, are only
efficiently utilized during the dry season.
There are currently no facilities where
farmers can dry their produce during the
rainy season.
ƒ Livestock and poultry are raised for domestic as
well as for commercial purposes by a great
proportion of the population. There are over 15
commercial hog rearing several backyard
production enterprises. There are over 10
commercial poultry operators or contract
growers, mostly in barangays Dulong Bayan, Ilog
Baliwag, Dona Lucia, and Bertese. Ducks,
turkeys, dogs and sheep are also raised in the
area.
Fisheries
ƒ The municipality has commercial waters and
about 35.23 hectares of fresh water fishponds,
with 17 operators. These fishponds have an
average yield of 52.84 metric tons per hectare
per year.
Trade and Commerce
ƒ There are approximately 239 commercial
establishments in the municipality with sari-sari
stores being the predominant enterprises. The
Commercial activities are centered in and around
the public market located in Barangay II. It is
accessible to all barangays by tricycle.
ƒ The only large scale industry in the municipality
is metal craft manufacturing.
ƒ The trade and commercial growth of the town is
slow, being attributed to the lack of industry and
corresponding employment.
• Small and the medium scale industries are
given little support for their development.
There are limited marketing outlets for
manufactured and goods products. There is
lack of financial assistance and credit
facilities.
ƒ The LGU encourages setting up of more small
scale livelihood activities. It recognizes the need
for capital assistance, training support and
technology transfers for groups/ individuals who
are interested. However, the municipality has
insufficient capital to boost cottage industry.
• The commercial activities are centered in
and around the public market. Enterprises
found in the different barangays are
generally small scale sari-sari stores (run out
of people’s houses) which have limited
customers. Their existence is precarious
almost without exception.
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DESTINATION PHILIPPINES
The 7,000 islands which comprise the
Philippines are the forgotten islands of South-
East Asia: they're off the main overland route
and have never attracted great numbers of
tourists. There's no doubt that the country has
lost out economically because of this, but its
reputation as the basket case of Asia is now
thoroughly outdated. Most of the Philippines is
laid back, stable and relatively safe. The
country likes to promote itself as the place
where `Asia wears a smile' and the locals are,
by and large, an exceptionally friendly and
helpful bunch. On top of this, transport is
cheap, the food is good, accommodation is
plentiful and (for the monolinguistic) English is
widely spoken.
Facts at a Glance
Full country name: Republic of the Philippines
Area: 299,000 sq km (116,610 sq mi)
Population: 68 million (growth rate 2.5%)
Capital city: Manila (pop: 10 million)
People: Predominantly descendants of Malays,
Chinese and Muslim minorities and a number
of mestizos (Filipino-Spanish or Filipino-
Americans)
Language: Pilipino (Tagalog) and English plus
numerous widely spoken indigenous
languages, some Spanish
Religion: 82% Roman Catholic, 9% Protestant,
5% Muslim, 3% Buddhist
Government: Republic
President: Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Environment
The Philippines consists of 7107 islands in the
western Pacific Ocean, only 2000 of which are
inhabited. Luzon and Mindanao are by far the
largest, and comprise roughly 66% of the
country's area. Only about 1000 islands are
larger than one sq km and 2500 aren't even
named. The Philippines' nearest neighbours
are Taiwan (north), Eastern Malaysia and
Brunei (south-west), and Indonesia (south).
The archipelago has a volcanic topography and
experiences frequent seismic activity. There
are 37 volcanoes in the archipelago and the
highest peak is Mt Apo (2954m/9689ft) in
Mindanao. About half the country is under
cultivation and about a third remains forested,
despite tree-felling and slash-and-burn
agriculture. There are more than a 1000 species
of birds and animals, notably wild dwarf buffalo,
mouse deer, crocodiles and pythons. There are
over 10,000 species of trees, shrubs and ferns,
the most common of which are palms and
bamboos.
The Philippines are hot and humid year-round.
The weather pattern across the archipelago is
complex, but can be roughly divided into the dry
season (January to June) and the wet season
(July to December). The average annual
temperature is 25°C (77°F).
History
The first inhabitants of the Philippines arrived up
to 300,000 years ago, probably migrating over a
land bridge from the Asian mainland. The
Negrito or Aeta arrived 25,000 years ago, but
they were driven back by several waves of
immigrants from Indonesia, followed by
maritime immigrations of Malayan people. In
1380, the Arab-taught Makdum arrived in the
Sulu archipelago and began to establish what
became a powerful Islamic sphere of influence
over the next hundred years.
Ferdinand Magellan arrived in 1521 and claimed
the archipelago for Spain. Magellan was killed by
local chiefs who quite naturally disapproved of
this notion. Ruy Lopez de Villalobos followed in
1543 and named the territory Filipinas after
Philip II of Spain. Permanent Spanish occupation
began in 1565, and by 1571 the entire country,
except for the strictly Islamic Sulu archipelago,
was under Spanish control.
A Filipino independence movement grew in the
19th century and Filipinos fought on the side of
the Americans in 1898 during the Spanish-
American War. When the Spanish were
defeated, General Aguinaldo declared the
Philippines independent. The USA, however, had
other plans, and promptly purchased the islands
from the Spanish for US$20 million. The USA
eventually recognised the Filipinos' desire for
independence and Manuel L Quezon was sworn
in as President of the Philippine Commonwealth
in 1935 as part of a transitional phase pending
13
full independence. Japan invaded the
Philippines in 1942 brutally interrupting this
process and ruled until the USA re-invaded two
years later. The Philippines received full
independence in 1946.
Ferdinand Marcos was elected president in
1965, declared martial law in 1972 and ruled
virtually as a dictator until 1986. His regime
was attacked by both communist and Muslim
guerrillas, and he was accused of ballot-rigging
and fraud. The assassination of prominent
opposition figure Benigno Aquino in 1983
sparked massive anti-government protests. A
snap election in 1986 saw the opposition
parties rally around Aquino's widow, Cory. Both
parties claimed victory, but Aquino was widely
believed to have polled most votes. She
initiated a programme of nonviolent civil unrest
which resulted in Marcos fleeing the country.
Aquino re-established the democratic
institutions of the country, but failed to tackle
economic problems or win over the military
and the powerful Filipino elite. US strategic
influence in the country diminished following
the 1991 Mt Pinatubo eruption which
destroyed the US Clark Air Base, and after the
Philippine Senate refused to ratify the lease on
the Subic Bay Naval Station. Aquino survived
seven coups in six years and was succeeded
by her Defence Minister Fidel Ramos in 1992.
Ramos attempted to revitalise the economy,
attract foreign investment, cleanse corruption
and expand provision of utilities. In 1998 he
was replaced by the Philippines' answer to
Bruce Willis, Joseph Estrada.
The Philippine government and the Moro
National Liberation Front signed a peace
accord in September 1996 ending, formally at
least, the MNLF's 24-year struggle for
autonomy in Mindanao. The peace agreement
foresaw the MLNF being granted considerable
autonomy in many of island's provinces. Peace
in the area remains elusive however following
the rise of a splinter group, the militant Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which opposes
the agreement. The government continues to
conduct military operations in MILF-held areas
in Basilan and Sulu.
Economic Profile
GDP: US$173 billion
GDP per head: US$2660
Annual growth: 2.5%
Inflation: 7.5%
Major products/industries: Electronic and
electrical products, clothing
Major trading partners: USA, Japan, Taiwan
Culture
The Philippines has developed a mixed culture
from the blending of foreign influences with
native elements. Today, the Muslims, and some
of the isolated tribes, are the only people whose
culture remains unadulterated by Spanish and
American influences.
Although traditional theatre, literature and
kundimans (love songs) in the national language
have experienced a resurgence since Cory
Aquino's People Power movement, visitors are
more likely to witness beauty contests, lurid
soap operas, violent and sentimental Filipino
movies, and local bands perfectly imitating
Western pop tunes.
About 10% of Filipinos (the so-called cultural
minority groups or tribal Filipinos) retain their
traditional culture. There are some 60
ethnological groups, ranging from the Badjao of
the Sulu archipelago, who are sea gypsies, to
the head-hunting Kalinga in the north of Bontoc.
The Philippines is the only Christian country in
Asia. Over 90% of the population claim to follow
Christian faiths. The largest of the minority
religious groups are the Muslims, who live
chiefly on Mindanao and in the Sulu archipelago.
There is also a Philippine Independence Church,
some Buddhists, and a small number of
animists.
The geography and history of the Philippines
have conspired to produce a multiplicity of
languages, some 80 dialects in total. The
concept of a national language developed after
the Spanish-American War in 1898 and Tagalog
was declared the national language in 1936.
There were several other contenders for this
role, including Cebuano, Hiligaynon and Ilocano.
A compromise reached in 1973 confirmed
Pilipino as the national language.
14

This is based on Tagalog, but has linguistic
elements of other Philippine languages.
Despite this, English remains the language of
commerce and politics in the Philippines.
Filipino cuisine has Chinese, Malay and Spanish
influences. Popular morning and afternoon
snacks are called merienda, and pulutan (small
morsels) are served with alcoholic drinks.
Barbecued sticks of meat or seafood are
popular evening snacks. Standard dishes,
always served with rice, include meat and
vegetables cooked with vinegar and garlic,
grilled grouper, meat stews and a huge variety
of soups - rice, noodle, beef, chicken, liver,
kneecap, offal and sour vegetable. Side dishes
include strips of unripened papaya, fermented
fish or shrimp paste and bite-sized pieces of
crispy pig skin. Halo-halo is a dessert made
from crushed ice mixed with sweets and fruits
and smothered in evaporated milk.
Philippine Facts for the Traveller
Visas: Twenty-one day visas are issued on
arrival.
Health Issues: Check with your doctor re
vaccinations.
Time: Four hours behind NZ
Electricity: 220V, 60 Hz
Weights & Measures: Metric
Tourism: 1.2 million visitors per year
Insurance: Ensure you have Travel Insurance.
We can arrange this. Please let us know.
Money & Costs
Currency: peso @ Feb 24 2003
Exchange rate: US$1 = 54.6 pesos
NZ$1= 30 pecos
Relative costs:
Budget meal: US$2-3
Restaurant meal: US$4-5
Top-end meal: US$12-15
Budget room: US$4-5
Mid-range hotel: US$15-20
Top-end hotel: US$150-400
The US dollar is the most recognised currency
in the Philippines, and is often easier (and
cheaper) to change than cheques. Large
denomination US bills will get you a particularly
good rate, but only clean banknotes are
acceptable. If you want to use cheques, the
bigger brands will be accepted by most banks
throughout the country. ATMs are all over the
place, and you can use MasterCard and Visa in
them.
Whether you tip or not is up to you. Restaurant
staff will generally expect one, even if there is a
service charge included. If you're catching a taxi
with a working meter, round up the amount.
When shopping, especially in markets, it's worth
trying to get a 10% discount - most Filipinos will
aim for one. As a tourist you'll probably be
quoted a higher than usual price anyway.
CCuullttuurraall TTiippss ffoorr tthhee
PPhhiilliippppiinneess
・ Maintaining cordial relations at all times is
essential in this culture; making only positive
comments is a good place to start. Negativity of
any kind can cause "loss of face", which has
unfortunate consequences in this culture,
including loss of reputation as well as the
severing of friendships and other meaningful
bonds.
・ Although there are many social inequalities,
there is a belief that everyone must be treated
with civility. Moreover, as people rise in
importance, they are expected to behave with
heightened modesty and graciousness,
especially in their dealings with the poor. For
example, beggars are politely refused with the
phrase "Patawarin po", which means, "Forgive
me, sir." Snubbing a beggar may result only in
"loss of face."
・ Visiting men should expect to shake hands
firmly with other Filipino men, both upon
introduction and subsequent meetings.
・ Foreign women may initiate a handshake with
Filipino men or women.
・ Generally there is not supposed to be physical
contact between men and women in public.
When in public, rather than initiating a
handshake, men should wait for a Filipino
woman to extend her hand. Christian women in
the communities appreciate a handshake,
especially when a foreigner initiates it.
・ Close upper class female friends in the
Philippines greet each other with a hug and kiss.
Similarly, close upper class male friends may
exhibit close physical contact, such as holding
15
hands or walking arm in arm around a friend's
shoulder. A handshake, bow and smile is most
common in the poorer communities.
・ As a sign of respect, the children, when
introduced to elderly, take their right hand and
put it on their forehead (just like what you
commonly see when the Pope or the priest
visit the children in Eastern countries). We call
it "pagmamano".
・ Children address older males as "kuya," a
respectful title for elder brother and the female
as "ate" for elder sister.
・ Filipinos often greet each other by making
eye contact, smiling, and then raising and
lowering their eyebrows.
・ When someone raises his or her eyebrows
at you, it is often a way of indicating that you
have been understood.
・ Raising one's voice is unacceptable in
Filipino business culture. Moreover, it's
important to maintain a low, yet controlled
tone of voice at all times. Striving to speak this
way can help you
conduct business with
greater effectiveness
and may even allow
you to project more of
an authoritative,
confident image.
・ Don't assume that a smile is an indication of
amusement or approval. Frequently, smiling is
used to mask embarrassment, nervousness,
and other feelings of distress. This is why you
will sometimes observe Filipinos smiling or
laughing during inappropriately somber or
tense moments.
・ Visitors should avoid staring at Filipinos,
who can easily interpret a stare as an hostile
gesture. If you are stared at, it will be in your
best interests to look away, or return a nice
smile.
・ It's recommended that you break eye
contact several times in the course of a
conversation. When you look at a Filipino too
intently, it is often
interpreted as "gawking"
rather than a sign of
attentiveness.
・ When it is necessary to
walk between two people,
lower your head with your
hands clasped in front of
you as you pass them. This gesture confers
respect.
・ Because of the years of U.S. military presence
in the Philippines, most North American gestures
are recognized and understood.
・ Pointing a middle finger at a person or thing
is considered the most obscene gesture in the
Philippines.
・ Since pointing can easily be perceived as an
insulting gesture, Filipinos rarely indicate objects
or directions by pointing with their fingers.
Instead, they indicate with a glance or by
pursing their lips.
・ To beckon someone, hold your hand out,
palm downward, and make a scooping motion
with the fingers. Beckoning someone with the
palm up and wagging one
finger can be interpreted as
an insult.
・ You may observe people
hissing in restaurants; this
is a common way of
beckoning servers. It is not
used to beckon foreigners.
・ Indicating "two" with the fingers is done by
holding up the ring and little finger, instead of
the forefinger and middle finger. The thumb is
not generally used to count numbers in the
Philippines.
・ It is not considered polite to put your hands
on your hips when talking.
・ A Filipino, especially a child, may try to get
your attention by brushing a finger against your
elbow.
16
Cambodia
Sandwiched between Thailand, Laos and Vietnam,
Cambodia has long been fought over. A mix of
French and traditional Khmer buildings are
testament to historic wrestles for control. More
recently the violent Khmer Rouge reign of 1975-
1979 has scarred the country.
Cambodia is now at a crossroads in its
development. Having just emerged from a post-civil
war status to that of a developing country, optimism
has gripped the country’s 13 million people. The
instituted government has given stability to the
nation, allowing for international investment and
foreign aid.
Despite economic growth, slow agricultural gain has
seriously threatened the sustainability of rural
livelihoods. Emerging industries are attracting
increasing numbers to the cities, a trend that has
been met with alarm as those on the city fringes are
left without the basic infrastructure to survive.
Cambodia now has a great challenge to meet of
developing a nation along lines of equality.
QUICK FACTS
Full name:
The Kingdom of Cambodia
(Kampuchia locally)
Population:
13,124,800 (Lonely Planet 2005)
Capital:
Phnom Penh
Area:
181,040 sq km (112,498 miles)
Major languages:
Khmer
Major religion:
Theravada Buddhism
Life expectancy:
59 years (men), 63 years (women),
61 years overall
Monetary unit:
Riel
Main exports:
Textiles, tourism
Human Development Index:
131
Political regime:
Constitutional monarchy
TEAR Fund Microenterprise
CREDIT
Microenterprise services to the poor in the Krek
district of Kompong Cham have long been
established through TEAR Fund’s partner, CREDIT
Cambodia. However CREDIT has found increasing
numbers of extremely poor that don’t quite fit the
model of microenterprise help that is offered.
In particular these include victims of HIV/AIDS and
sexual trafficking. Lack of sustained income and
extreme poverty are factors that prevent them from
participating in the regular services. This need has
prompted an appeal to TEAR Fund to help fund a
three-year project designed to specifically
investigate and put into place services for these most
vulnerable people.
Evaluation, development and modification of current
financial, educational and training services will allow
CREDIT to be more responsive to the particular
needs of the extremely poor and the vulnerable. The
project is also piloting a Vulnerable Service Unit to
offer specifically tailored services to these groups.
CREDIT recognises that for those with very little, or
with trauma from past exploitation, financial
assistance is not enough. Networking with other
social service agencies in the area to provide non-
financial interventions is key.
TEAR Fund’s support of this strategic planning will
enable CREDIT to work more effectively helping the
poor in Cambodia.
The legacy of the Khmer Rouge is inescapable.
The scars of Cambodia’s past are present in its
open wounds of today: spiritual oppression,
illiteracy, AIDS and extreme poverty. TEAR
Fund is addressing this suffering through its
Christian Microenterprise programme.
Socheat Lay skillfully pounds nails with a
hatchet as her sister, Sophal, butts bamboo onto
a wooden frame. It is seven in the morning, and
the two middle-aged women have already been
at work for hours constructing beds for their
customers in Phnom Penh.
Socheat, a petite woman with rounded cheeks
and a wide smile, taught herself the art of bed-
making after losing her family to the Pol Pot
regime. “The Khmer Rouge accused my
husband of being against the government and
beat him to death in front of me. My five children
and my sister were also murdered,” she says. “I
needed to take care of my deceased sister’s
children and my mother, so I fled to southeast
Cambodia to work.
My income was meager but I saved what I
could, buying wood to make beds.”
A LOAN CHANGES EVERYTHING
Sawdust falls softly on the well-worn floor as
Socheat evens out the bamboo. “Before I
received my loan, my business was
17
small. I could not buy the raw materials I
needed. Sophal and I were excited when we
heard about the loan programme. We both
applied and when we received our loans, we
combined our money.”
TEAR Fund’s partner, Credit Cambodia, has
helped Socheat and Sophal expand their
struggling business into a profitable enterprise.
In fact, they are building additional workspace
to keep up with the demands of their business.
“My family members eat fish and vegetables,
the children attend school, and I can now
provide for their health needs when
emergencies arise,” says Socheat.
TEAR Fund
Since it was founded in 1974, TEAR Fund New
Zealand has raised over $25 million for aid and
development assistance in the world's poorest
countries and communities.
TEAR Fund works in close partnership with other
Christian development agencies, national
churches and missionary societies throughout
the developing world. TEAR Fund has a holistic
approach to development that provides
economic and material help as well as spiritual
hope by bringing together a partnership of social
action with a clear and unambiguous witness of
Christ's love and salvation.
TEAR Fund is a recipient of New Zealand
government matching funds through
participation in the voluntary agency support
scheme. This means the funds you provide will
multiply.
Your input will be reused to create jobs for
generations to come.
TEAR FUND is a support partner in the
OPPORTUNITY Network who provides credit and
training through indigenous partners in 27
countries, creating a job every 2 minutes. The
Centre for Community Transformation is also an
implementing partner in the same network.
Thank you for considering partnering with these
people.
In Christ
Richard Barter
Manager Microenterprise Development
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