School Sponsorship
We developed the school sponsorship program to keep children in their families and provide future opportunities for them. In The Philippines, a high school diploma is the key to good pay and a consistent job in towns and cities. Without an education, people are on standby for day labor. If a child's parents cannot afford to send them to school, their options are limited. Many must work, live in a relative's house as a maid or servant in exchange for education or fall victim to recruiters that promise a job abroad. Sometimes, parents never see their child again because of human trafficking.
We began by sponsoring 15 students (5 high school and 10 elementary students). This school year we have committed to 30 students (15 of each). Our desire is to match each student with a sponsor for their whole scholastic career, at a cost of $50 a year. At present, schooling is an 11 year program in the Philippines (kindergarten through 10th grade). There is talk of adding another year onto high school. Elementary is from kindergarten through 7th grade and high school from 8th through 10th.
Farming/Sustainability Project
The goal of our farming/sustainability program is to provide income to sustain the ministry and to provide agricultural jobs to the area. Our goal is to develop a farm that has diverse crops so that if one fails we don't lose everything for the season. Currently, we are looking for property that has the ability to support fruit trees, rice fields, vegetable gardens and possibly a fish pond. Our goal is to raise $10,000 for stage one of this project which will pay for about 30 acres of land and the labor and supplies to develop it.
Well/Fresh Water Project
The goal of the well/fresh water program is to provide three new fresh water wells, where people can get water for cooking, bathing, laundry and drinking. Currently, there are not enough wells to provide fresh water to all the people, in a timely manner, during the dry season. Long lines form at the existing wells as people wait for water to trickle back into the well. During periods where water is scarce laundry and bathing are forgone, often for days or weeks, so that people have enough to drink and cook with. The lines continue through the night and day for the children waiting their turn to get water for the family. The estimated cost for one well is $750. We have one functioning well that is 5'x5' and 18' deep. This well has 10' of water in it during the dry season. Unfortunately, some people have to walk over a mile to get to it. This means laundry has to be carried there and back as well as water for drinking and cooking.