Another squatter camp was discovered in our own barangay (village) recently. The residents consisting of 14 families are mostly from Samar Island, Philippines and 35 persons including children out of 75 did not have birth certificate, which is a prerequisite for school graduation, application for Philhealth (national health insurance), etc.
In conjunction with RIMM (Rotary International Multinational Manila) since its core members are AWH volunteer staff and many of its general members are AWH guests as well, AWH has provided support in obtaining birth certificates for those with none and living staples such as firewood for cooking, rice, etc. On March 9, twelve guests from Japan visited the site, initially providing an additional 15 kg of rice to each family along with goodies for the children as well as six sacks of firewood and 3 sacks of brown coconuts. They also bought and enjoyed the taste of the freshly made ‘taho’ (tofu with tapioca & syrup), which is their livelihood product. Firewood and coconuts are also provided on a continuing as available and needed basis.
