Smile in Every Step Project (Tsinelas, Lapis atbp.)

Today, two communities in the Philippines are confronted with immediate relief and rehabilitation problems, to wit:

Muntinpula City. More than 960 families living near the railways were forcedly evicted by Philippine government authorities on April 27, 2009 in Muntinlupa City.   This is to give way for the modernization and rehabilitation of the Philippine National Railways. The government, unfortunately, was unable to provide a relocation site and rehabilitation program for them.  The affected families were left homeless and are currently living in dire situations in makeshift tents near the railways.

Baseco, Manila, Last January 16, 2010, another 328 families were again left without shelter when a fire destroyed hundreds of shanties in Baseco, Manila -- one of the country’s most depressed communities. 

All families from these affected communities have not received any form of support or rehabilitation from the government. If not helped, their situations, especially of the children who need to continue their education, will worsen. Many of these children have already stopped schooling and are now working as waste pickers for a living.

It is in this light that the IBON and KARAPATAN NCR, partners in the Human Rights Documentation System Project in cooperation with Bangon Maralita in Muntinlupa (BMM) and Samahan Ng Mamamayan sa Baseco (SMB) have come together in a marvelous initiative called a Smile in Every Step Project (Tsinelas, Lapis (TL) at iba pa.

The Smile in Every Step Project (TL at iba pa) is the best way we have found to encourage children and their families continue their schooling despite the difficulties. For them, a humble support will help in learning the important skills they need to make their way in the world.  

We truly need your help! We are hoping to provide each child with at least one (1) pair of slippers and a package of school supplies. For the first phase of this project this coming June, we are targeting initially 100 children aged 7-12 years old from the two communities under BMM and SMB. We intend to raise this target every semester.

Please feel free to contact us should you wish your families to attend the distribution event or if you would like more information on our Smile in Every Step Project (TL at iba pa.) 

Drop In Centers: 

People Education Resource Center (PERC)

Ibon Foundation

114 Timog Ave., 1103

Quezon City, Philippines

Trunkline: +632 9277060 to 62

Fax: +632 9292496

Email: perc@ibon.org, ibonperc@yahoo.com