Philippines

Microenterprise Development Changing Lives

ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES

The Philippines is a collection of more than 7000 islands in Southeast Asia. These islands are
divided into three major groupings: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The busy port of Manila,
located on Luzon, is the nation’s capital and the second largest city after 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 industrialised country and is making some headway due to rapid urbanisation.
However, the economy is still largely based around agriculture due to the country’s rich soil
and largely 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
TEAR FUND IN THE PHILIPPINES Major languages:
Filipino, English and eight major regional
About 30 per cent of the population in the Philippines is poor. Those trapped in the cycle of dialects
poverty are born into families that lack the resources to send their children to school, or provide
Major religion:
for their basic nutritional needs Christian (90% - Roman Catholic 81%)
Muslim (5%)
TEAR Fund has been partnering with a microenterprise agency in the Philippines, the Centre for
Community Transformation (CCT), to change this. Microenterprise loans and accountability Life expectancy:
67 years (men), 73 years (women)
structures enable hardworking people to grow their businesses into economic engines that
generate income to provide life-essentials such as food, housing, basic health care and the hope Main exports:
for a brighter future. Semiconductors and electronic products,
transport equipment, garments, copper
products, petroleum products, coconut
CCT operates through Microenterprise to empower poor communities to use market oil, fruits.
economics to rise above poverty. A small injection of capital breaks this cycle of poverty enabling,
Human Development Index (HDI): 90
families to work their way out of poverty with dignity. This not only improves the circumstances
of the micro entrepreneurs but their business can also provide jobs and business opportunities
for others in the community. CCT recognises that Microenterprise services are not enough and
have to go hand-in hand with instilling good values and strengthening the community.

CCT’s vision is to see Christ-centred faith communities where Jesus Christ is honoured and
worshipped and where people live with dignity and sufficiency. CCT currently extends small
business loans to more than 72,000 poor women entrepreneurs. Their overall outreach now
encompasses 130,000 families.

CCT has also established more than 5,000 fellowship groups where members meet to worship
and pray, study the bible, repay their loans, learn about doing business and support one another.
CCT partners with 155 local churches that adopt poor families and support them as they work
their way out of poverty.

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

 Microenterprise Development Changing Lives

MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

TEAR Fund partners with indigenous Christian organisations to help the poor create
income generation opportunities.

A fair credit loan empowers the poor to create a business to help them work their way
out of poverty. It releases them from relying on unscrupulous loan sharks who charge
crippling interest rates and encourages them to be self-sufficient rather than rely on aid.

Loan applicants meet specific criteria and are trained to help them improve and grow
their businesses.

With no welfare systems and few jobs available, small businesses are an essential part of
the economy. Behind each business there is an extended family, employees, suppliers and
customers who benefit.

About 98 per cent of loans are repaid and the money is recycled back into the community
so others can be given the opportunity to realise their dreams.

A Child’s eye view of Microenterprise

TEAR Fund Microenterprise Development puts food on the table for tens
of thousands of children throughout the developing world. Poor children
who struggle to survive also have the thrill of watching their families’ lives
and fortunes change when their parents get the opportunity to start a
start a small business and establish a regular income. A young boy whose
mother received a loan from TEAR Fund’s Philippines partner - the Centre
for Community Transformation (CCT) - tells his story:
way to work. Later I will join eight of my friends on one tricycle for
the trip to school. I haven’t been going to school long. It is only since
my mother started a sewing business that there has been money for
the books. My mother always liked to sew. Along with some friends
she received a loan of $240 to buy two second-hand sewing machines
and fabric. They have started businesses.
They plan to take another loan to buy an over-locker.

IN MY OWN WORDS
At 4 a.m the rooster wakes. My three-week old puppy, which is always
crying, probably woke him up. Long before it is light, I start my jobs. First
I sweep the yard, and then I splash water from the canal on the dirt road
outside the house to keep the dust down. Before school I take the ducks
from the farm next door to feed on what the rice harvesters left in the
fields. When I whistle to the leader, it will lead the thousand or so ducks
back to their enclosure.
By 5am the tricycles (motorbike taxis with sidecars) will come tinkling
down the road with passengers grabbing a few moments of rest on the
Now we have fresh vegetables, chicken and fish with the rice that my
father grows. I feel stronger each day and not so tired. When I grow
up I will have to leave the farm because it’s too small to split with my
sisters. I can go to school and I have a chance to go to college and get
a good job. We used to get sick a lot, but now our mother gives us
medicine. I haven’t missed one day of school!
My mother takes us to church. It is just across the road. We did not
used to go to church because she didn’t think it was important and
she was ashamed of our old clothes. I know God doesn’t want us to
be poor. Every day I thank Him for what He has done for us!

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