Welfareville compound, Mandaluyong City
In
the slums of Metro Manila the disintegrated family is common and the
irresponsibility of parents, especially fathers, is widespread. In an atmosphere
of little hope for work that will sustain a family, parents become apathetic,
and lose any vision of a hopeful future for their family. In an attempt to
`change their luck’ parents often turn to gambling and in an attempt to escape
the dismal reality of their lives sometimes they turn to substance abuse (shabu,
alcohol, etc). Often there is abuse and oppression of family members. Some of
their children may escape to the streets or end up in prostitution and illegal
activities.
The Bukang Liwayway attempts to work with the whole family to encourage economic, emotional, social, cognitive, and physical development and Spiritual among family members.
The family members most at
risk are those in their teenage years. Sometimes the urban poor youth is used by
parents to bring in family income as they are more agile than a parent.
Consequently their academic progress is stifled and they are never able to reach
their full potential.
Children
who have parents who lack social skills, or who are rejected by parents, acquire
inadequate social skill themselves. Low self esteem and lack of opportunity to
develop decision-making skills contributes to the danger of being manipulated,
used or abused by others.
Some
of these youth may already be abused or oppressed or maybe suffering in some way
and may be in need of emotional support or counseling.
Some may be looking for some kind of escape either by using drugs, experimenting
with sex or they may even intend to run away to the city streets. Some may have
already been rejected by parents and are living on the fringe of the settlement
or have begun to experiment with living on the street.
This
wholistic community development project includes the following programs,
presently running in Block 35:
Youth Program ( Youth Scholarship )
Jordan Child Development Program ( Pre Schools )
Jordan Health Program
Jordan Livelihood Program ( YUNIK Krafts )
Special Projects - Potable Water Supply and Micro Finance