Philippines

Community Development Changing Lives

ABOUT PHILIPPINES
The Philippines is a collection of more than 7000 islands in Southeast Asia. These islands
are commonly divided into three groupings: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The busy port of
Manila, located on Luzon, is the nation’s capital and the second largest city after its suburb of
Quezon City.

With beautiful reefs, friendly locals and tasty local fare, the Philippines is slowly climbing its
way out of a violence-marred image to attract a growing number of visitors. It aspires to be
an industrialized country and is making some headway due to rapid urbanisation.

However, the economy is still largely based around agriculture due to rich soil and a
majority rural population. Despite economic growth, rural and urban areas are riddled with
pockets of poor communities. A number of rural communities are also clustered in the
midst of fighting between rebels and government troops. TEAR Fund is working in several
regions to address these problems.
QUICK FACTS
Full name:
Republic of the Philippines

Population:
88,574,614 (2007 census)

Capital and largest city:

Manila, Quezon City

Area:
300,000 sq km, 115,831 sq miles

Major languages:
Filipino, English and eight major regional
dialects

Major religion:
Christian (90% - Roman Catholic 81%)
TEAR FUND IN THE PHILIPPINES Muslim (5%)

TEAR Fund is mobilising and empowering marginalized groups in the Philippines through Life expectancy:
67 years (men), 73 years (women)
our local partner ASKI. Providing needy families with microcredit services since 1986,
ASKI shares TEAR Fund’s heart for seeking ways to provide focused help for the poor. Main exports:
Semiconductors and electronic products,
transport equipment, garments, copper
TEAR Fund is financing a groundbreaking ASKI community development project in the products, petroleum products, coconut
central Luzon region. oil, fruits.

Human Development Index (HDI): 90

The backbone of this project is formed around working with community leaders, social
service agencies and locals. Matching and addressing specific situations and realities of poor
and indigenous families increases the effectiveness of microenterprise projects. This ensures
sustainable improvements in socioeconomic conditions within the targeted villages.

ASKI initially creates, trains and supports local groups to implement small community
projects. The construction of a hanging bridge between two isolated villages is a good
example. These groups are eventually able to run on their own.

Secondly, the lessons and issues raised from these projects are used to review and update
ASKI services. This allows ASKI to aid poorer communities in light of specific needs,
resources and cultural contexts.

Call to donate: 0800 800 777 or visit www.tearfund.org.nz

Community Development Changing Lives

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

TEAR Fund community development works by empowering poor communities to find their own
solutions to issues. This significantly reduces overheads by operating through local staff. We work
directly with the poorest allowing us to identify and address the root causes of poverty not just
the symptoms.

TEAR Fund partners with indigenous Christian organisations who carry out the work
themselves. Assistance is given regardless of beliefs.

Tear Fund takes an holistic approach to all of its projects which takes the local community on a
journey of transformation through improved physical, social and economic circumstances, and
often on an individual level, spiritual change.

How community development transforms

• Physical – meets targeted need such as health
• Social – unites and empowers
• Economic – often creates opportunities for income generation
• Spiritual – opens doors for gospel

FARMING IN THE PHILIPPINES

Luz lives in Panabingan, San Antonio, Nueva Ecija, Philippines where
subsistence farming is the main source of income.
Luz is not only a responsible mother, but a devoted and respon-
sible member of the community’s People Organisation as well. Her
membership with the organisation has opened her eyes to the
issues in their village, some of which are being resolved through the
cooperation of the members.
Luz organised her group to resolve some of their community issues,
including the installation of a check gate. The check gate is used to
manage inflow of water to fields and is a vital tool in increasing agri-
cultural production and creating more wealth for farmers in Luz’s
village.
ASKI’s main focus is providing microfinance to empower people to
help them generate income, and Luz has benefited personally from
this initiative.
Luz was initially resistant to take a loan offered by TEAR Fund’s
partner ASKI. But personal circumstances and seeing how others
had benefited led her to accept it. Her first loan was used to start
a pig-fattening project. With this money she was able to buy three
piglets. Unfortunately two of them died because of diseases brought
by frequent weather changes, but Luz did not lose heart.
Luz sold the remaining pig, and with the support of her husband, she
was able to pay back her loan to ASKI on time. Currently, she helps
her husband in their mini welding shop. Luz also works on a farm
during planting and harvesting season. Her earnings are a welcome
addition to the family budget.
Much of her time is spent taking care of her granddaughters and
grandson. One of her dreams as a mother is to lend a hand to her
family financially and give them moral values to live by.

CONTACTS:
National Office: Freephone: 0800 800 777
PO Box 8315, Symonds St, Facsimile: (09) 629 1050
Auckland 1150 Email: enquiries@tearfund.org.nz
New Zealand Website: www.tearfund.org.nz COUNTRY PROFILES