K.I.M. (Kids International Ministry) locates a squatter village through a local pastor who contacts them with the need. Squatter villages are areas where people who don't own there own land/home go and build shelter for themselves. K.I.M. provides soup-like mixture that has extra protein...which is what many of these children are missing in their diet. They also hand out "protein packs" which are the dried version of what they are getting at the feeding Sometimes these people have been displaced by typhoons, and therefore areas have been set aside for them...we went to a village like this called Tent City. It was out in the country, and there was NO SHADE. This is crucial when it is in the 90's, so they built structures just for shade.
Another squatter village we went to was called Smoky Mountain. This area was enormous and located on the biggest trash dump in Manila. People have settled there to live off the trash...whether they find what they need to survive, or if they find something valuable they can sell it. This place was definitely an eye opener. It may be the dirtiest place I have ever been. Yet, the people were so kind and receptive to our coming. They enjoyed talking to us...many of them knew English. Andy talked to several young men, while I conversed with a lot of young women and little girls who could not get enough of Sarah. She was sleeping undercover in the carrier for most of the time, but when she woke up, it was like moths to a flame! Josh played a makeshift volleyball game with some of the boys, Abby hung out with me or stayed on Andy's shoulders, and Grace and Emma blew up balloons to pass out.
One of the reasons I appreciated these feedings is that K.I.M. does a good job of connecting their support to the local church. They don't just go in and "save the day" They want people to know that Jesus loves them and the best way to connect them with that love is to connect them with their local church. It is amazing to see how many people we would get at these feedings. I think we served at least 100 children at almost every feeding...many times there were even more. It's hard to experience this and not try to think about fixing this problem. These little ones who have no shoes, looking at you with their big brown eyes and say thank you for their two scoops of soup, the only meal whey will have that day...what do you say to that? I don't know. We also couldn't get over how small some of these children were. Now, Filipinos do not have a lot of height genes in their pool, but Josh's buddy, who was just a little shorter than him, was 9 years old. Several of the little girls who were Abby's age, looked like they were 2 years old. And many of them thought Sarah was at least 1yr.
So I will continue to ponder and wrestle with so many questions. It's interesting to me because about two years ago I went on a vision trip to another very poor country to see how micro financing works there. Just being there a few days and you can't get past the pride and dignity these people had because they were able to start their own business. I don't know if this is an answer in the Philippines. I am just thankful that there are people there who are trying to love these people and provide their immediate needs
On a more comical note...driving in the Philippines was an adventure to say the least. I asked Andy how this compares to what he has seen in his travels (Mexico, India, China, ect) and he said that it was at least as bad as he had ever seen. At one point, we were making a left turn through four lanes of traffic. I believe the most important rule is that you do not hesitate...take your space and go. I also am sharing a picture of a jeepney...it is kind of a cross between a taxi and a bus...interesting. We did not ride in one this time...maybe when we go back?
Kids at Tent City in their shade
Beautiful children :) They loved getting their pic taken.
Some of the women we met.
A jeepney...many times there is someone off the back.
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