We don’t have a home this month. We don’t have a ministry contact. We are on our own in the city of Manila, The Philippines.
What are we doing?
We are searching for Unsung Heroes.
The Unsung Hero program is a newer part of the World Race where current WR teams on the field take a month searching for future ministry partners. The contacts we find may become WR hosts for future squads and teams. That is our job this month, our ministry.
Today I want to put the spotlight on one of the amazing ministries we found this month: Kanlungan sa Er-Ma.
Kanlungan sa Er-Ma Ministries
The word “kanlungan” means refuge, which is fitting, since the ministry’s mission is to be a refuge for street kids and the young victims of abuse. You can see in the eyes of the kids that they have found refuge here. The ministry has multiple locations in the former red-light district of Malate for the kids who reside in the program houses and those who live on the street and just drop-in daily.
Kanlungan was founded 26 years ago by an incredible woman named Sol. When we met with her, we were able to hear her extraordinary heart for this neighborhood and these kids. Sol never really planned to create her own ministry, and she never expected to have so many parts to the program and 30 staff members 26 years later. She just had a burden for the kids and knew she had to do something about it.
The number of kids affected over the years by this program is really innumerable. The children in the residential program have such difficult stories – unreal stories, really – and they are often sent to Kanlungan’s house with lots of brokenness and fear. However, we got to meet many of these kids who have only been in the program for a few months, and they are healthy, happy children who’ve learned to have fun again and be kids. Sol spoke a lot about how the kids learn to put the past behind them and move on in time. They rehabilitate the kids very holistically with therapy, counseling, spiritual discipleship, case management, legal help, vocational training, and quality education.
“Blessed is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.” -Psalm 41:1
Over the years, more and more needs have emerged as the kids get older and the program grows. An outreach to street kids was added because the staff knew it wasn’t just kids with serious abuse cases who needed hope and love in this poor and difficult neighborhood. Sol also eventually added three businesses to the ministry – first a coffee farm in the south, then an amazing coffee shop, and a secondhand store. These businesses provide employment for graduates of the program and additional income to fund the programs.
We were able to spend some time in the coffee shop and the staff were absolutely amazing, as was the quality of the food and drinks. The coffee is brewed with the coffee beans harvested from Kanlungan’s very own farm! This farm serves as additional vocational training facility as well as another refuge for young boys.
I was amazed to realize all of these well-trained staff members were former kids from the program. Sol shared with us highlights of their stories, and it was unbelievable to me how far these amazing people had come. From being 5 year-olds in the hospital from violent abuse, to being gang-raped; from being victims of incest, to a witness to a parent’s brutal murder, these people have been through so much. However, now they are amazing businesspeople, chefs, baristas, saleswomen, etc. They have gotten their education, worked hard, dealt with emotional scars, and found deep spiritual fulfillment from being disciples of Jesus. You can see shine in their eyes the hope, the love, and the feeling of being safe and secure; they have been redeemed, saved, and loved. And they have moved forward from difficult lives into beautiful ones.
Kanlungan has created transformation in the lives of so many. The work the ministry has done has created ripples in lives and the communities that will continue to bear fruit for years to come.
Kanlungan continues to be a refuge for kids who have to go through awful and traumatic experiences, as well as those who have to daily deal with the reality of poverty and the street. It truly is a refuge for those who desperately need it.
And in this physical refuge, many find true refuge in God’s loving arms.
Here’s to Kanlungan sa Er-Ma. We honor you and thank you for what you do. Continue to fight the good fight and do not grow tired of doing good work. The world desperately needs you.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for in the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not lose heart.” – Galatians 6:9
Kanlungan has some needs!
As always, financial support is greatly utilized and appreciated. Also, they have a need for someone to improve their website, as well as some people to market their ministry in Manila more. A third staff need is for a full-time psychologist. If you know anyone who could help them in these capacities, please contact the ministry at: [email protected]
www.kanlungansaerma.org
