As I sit crossed legged amongst an endless supply of debris masked in the form of clothing, books, and other doo dads spilling forth from the open suitcase lingering in the corner of my closet, one significant thought rings loud and clear, it's travel season again. My eyes gaze upon my open passport, heavy from a blessed year of nomadic travel, they stay for a moment on the last stamp, the last country from my World Race journeys, The Philippines.
In less than a few short days, I will have the pleasure of leading a small army of incredible men and women back to the Philippines, and Kids International Ministries (KIM), a country and ministry that has a forever etching on my heart of love and joy. I'm excited to be able to return, and even more excited to share with you the incredible partnership of Adventures Encounter and KIM to raise funds to provide homes in Manilla. Read below to hear about the efforts and how YOU can be a part of Encounter Gives Back.
Cuatro is a community in the greater area of Manila, Philippines. Here, many people do not have a safe place to call home. Their version of home would be more similar to a shack composed of tin, carboard and some 2x4s strung together to provide "safety" from frequent storms and harsh sun.
Unfortunately, a home is a utopian dream for many within Cuatro as nearly all of the residents are squatters.
Most Cautro locals have made the long journey from the southern islands, optimistically seeking a life of security in the "big city" only to find themselves trapped in a society of scarcity and a cycle of poverty. The neighborhood consists of thousands of migrants, striving for big dreams of suburbs, yet finding themselves squatting on someone else's land. Their current houses are more like temporary shelters and won't last, but are all they know. Famlies may share their homes with upwards of 20 people, many of whom may be strangers. Imagine living in a home where you don't feel safe.
They dream and hope for better, but continually recieve crushed goals. Land owners hire large bulldozers to come onto their property and demolish everything in sight every 7 years. Their "homes" or tin shacks are leveled to the ground and rendered irreparable. They have no choice but to start over. But with their limited resources, their version of starting over is just as depressing as 7 years earlier.
What if that was not their only option?
What if you had the opportunity to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty for one family in this community?
What if you could give a family their very own "Bahay"?
The BAHAY Project is seeking to raise $5,000 to buy a piece of land in the community, then to build a 2 story house complete with electricity and plumbing to safely house a family without the threat of demolition and instill hope. No amount of money is too litte- it all adds up to an optimistic future for a new family. By investing your heart and wallet into The BAHAY Project, you are allowing one family to pave a new road of passion and security. You are enabling them to create a better life for themselves.
Home is where many of us say our heart belongs. Let's give these people a place to call their own. BAHAY means home in Filipino. You can give one family a new BAHAY, a place for their hearts to belong.
Donate towards The BAHAY Project today. Would you consider donating $25, $50, $100, or even $500 towards home security and safety? Your money will make a difference in the life of a Filipino family. Your $100 does not just buy some wires and a new window, your money purchases a greater blessing: a reminder of God's love. Please prayerfully consider giving today.
To support the BAHAY project, simply click here. And remember, all donations are tax-deductible.
