A Profile of a Slum Community?

1. We need to research and develop a profile of the slum community we are planning to work in The information is best collected from informal observation and conversations with slum dwellers Avoid using a questionaire and surveys – they raise expectations among slum dwellers Ascertain, population, family details, main occupations, income, services available, resources, etc A Profile of a Slum Community?

2. What income generating projects can come from this slum? • Ask the inhabitants what income generating ideas they have? • This will also help locate the entrepreneurs in the community? • Ascertain what capital is needed to start these projects?

3. Here is an example • From Manila, the Capital City of the Philippines – this slum settlement is the famous Payatas B rubbish tip slum 12 km from the Central Business District.

4. A Picture of the Payatas Rubbish Tip in Manila

5. A Profile • 150,000 inhabitants in Payatas B Settlement • 20,000 families • 10,000 scavengers working everyday from 6am to 5pm • Earn Pesos 2,000/mth = US$44 • Many scavengers are addicts on Methamphetamine

6. 500 trucks per day enter Payatas tip Each truck is charged 350 Pesos to unload Gangs control who gets to scavenge in the tip The scavengers have to bribe the gangs to be able to scavenge Where is the justice for the poor? The Municipality may have to move the tip? Exploitation of the Poor!

7. 80% is recyclable Plastic bags are washed in the nearby creek, and baled for reprocessing Tyres are used to make sandals Food scraps can feed pigs and make worms All metals, glass and plastics can be sold Kids whose parents are drug addicts can collect rubbish and sell it to get money for food The smell of the rubbish tip is overwhelming Sometimes rubber and plastic is burned There is plenty of food waste Can anything good come out of a place like this?

8. There is a water and good electricity supply There are several pre-schools and schools in the Payatas B settlement There is a concrete road two thirds of the way into the settlement There are many types of transport readily available for hire Many women have no work There are hundreds of young men looking for work There are internet Café’s in the slum at very reasonable prices A major market is close by Most slum dwellers have unused land around there houses – up to 600m2 The land is fertile and the climate is very good Resources?

9. 20 pastors and leaders train to help the poor in Payatas • 20 passed the week long training course • Three new income generating cooperatives were birthed. • They will employ 80 people directly and provide an extra 6,000 – 8,000 Pesos per month to 80 families.

10. How much capital is required to fund these new projects? • US$150 to help another squatter family start a pig raising farm. • NZ$US110 to help a poor family start a duck raising farm. • Donate US$375 to start a sandal making cooperative

11. This information was gathered in • One week living in the slum community • Three entrepreneurs were located who were ready to implement the three cooperatives • The pastor knew a person who was ready to fund these cooperatives

12. What can you do in the slum you are praying for? • People are waiting for you to help them, bring them hope • God is wanting to help you – their needs are a burden on His heart • Pray, build relationships, research, organise, act, and see what God will do.