Family History

I've learned from the mother ( Merly ) that they came all the way from Negros Oriental. (Negros Island, Philippines ) more than 10 years ago. Merly and her husband ( Agustin ) with 3 of the children were living in a very poor community in Negros and money was always the biggest issue for survival. Merly's father who first came to Puerto Princesa asked them to come and farm some land he said he bought for them but only to find out later that he never had any land of his own. They eventually decided to stay in Puerto Prinsesa because of lack of  money to return to Negros.
Agustin knows farming and farming other people's land (being a tenant) is the only way they have to live. If the father gets lucky sometimes to find a nice landlord during planting season, they have no worry during harvest  and get a little for food for the whole family. But life here has been very difficult just being a tenant farmer as a high percentage of any crop goes to the land owner.
When it comes to education, the father didn't have real education. He only went to Grade 3. He learned farming from his father. Merly finished her elementary school and reached 2nd year in high school.   Merly always has the dream to send her children to school. She knows that the only thing she can give to her children is a good education. She sent them to school but had to stop because of  lack of school supplies and financial difficulty eventhough tuition fees are free in public schools in the nearby town.

Crysle's Family

Mother:    Merly Marinas
Father:    Agustin Marinas
 
Children:            Age            Birthday
 
1. Renante:        18 y/o         January 25, 1989
2. Kristina          16 y/o        July 9, 1991  -      daughter: Mary Jane : 4 months
3. Christopher     14 y/o        July 9,1992
4. Crysle              12 y/o        July 9, 1994
5. Agustin Jr        10 y/o        Oct. 28, 1996
6. Ronald             6 y/o          December 7, 2001
7. Jhonas              3 y/o        June 8, 2003
8. Kristine Joy       1 y/o        July 30, 2005
 

Luzviminda ( area name of family's home )

Now back in Japan, Tokyo seems a million miles away from the jungles of Palawan. It was difficult to update the blog when there is no electricity, let alone internet acces. Actually some areas that I was in electricity is provided for a few hours a day by generator but as you can imagine having a computer is a luxury few can afford although in one village I was escorted to one house with a computer but as the village was without elec., it was merely a showpiece.
Upon arriving in Palawan in early March I set off to the property to see how Crysle and her family were doing.
We had helped to relocate them to a better area with a new nipa and rattan hut. Nipa is thatched material made from the dried branches of a member of the palm tree family. The family gathered the nipa and rattan for free from the jungle. Rattan is the same cane material used in making furniture that is popular for gardens in the west. Crysle, her mother, all the girls and youngest children sleep in the nipa hut while the father and older boys sleep in the older hut across the road. It should be noted that nipa and rattan huts are great beach shelters to escape the hot sun and they are the main building materials for families living in the jungle without much resourses. They are cheap and easy to build but are not typhoon proof, rain or wind proof and earthquake proof and on top of that they easily catch fire as the cooking is done alongside the huts.

Crysle and her family have a new nipa hut

Still in the jungle.

Just a quick update to say that after a month I am still down in Palawan working on the project. No internet cafes in the jungle. Now I am in the town of Puerto Princesa to catch the flight up to Manila tomorrow to catch another flight back to Tokyo. The time spent here has just reinforced my determination to do what I can to help these children out. Lots of stories and photos to come soon.

Palawan in March

Well, I'm off to Palawan again on March 01 for a month to get the project moving along. There is so much to do. First is trying to get the electrical power lines extended 2 km to the property. Then I have to rent ( rent only until I raise the money to build the facility on the property ) a house or building that can be reformed into a dwelling for the caretaker family that was living on the property. After consulting with them I hope to find such a place nearer to the city where the kids can go to school and with enough land for the father and eldest daughter's husband to grow vegetables and fruit. Next challenge is to help the mother and eldest daughter ( 17 yrs. ) start a micro business. With start up capital of between one and two hundred dollars we hopefully can come up with an idea to help provide the family with food, clothing and basic necessities. It sounds far too small a capital to most people but believe me, many small businesses are started with even less in these parts. The target is obviously not to make heaps of money but rather instill a pride that they are doing something for themselves. Maybe a small mobile fried chicken kiosk or a mobile phone station which is nothing more than one mobile and a watch. Local people passing by can use to make calls and the mobile owner charges a 20% mark up on calls. You see in the countryside not everybody has ready access to a phone. At least in this venture there is no spoilage unlike a food business. I am thinking of ideas that I have seen operating successfully in other parts of the Philippines and Thailand. If anyone has a good idea, don't be shy and send me an email. Many thanks to those of you who have mailed and offered encouragement and support

How's my English?

A couple of junior high school girls grab a chance to practice their English while waiting for a jeepney. This is just what I hope to provide the children at our group home. Just a chance to go to school like regular kids. Doesn't seem like too big a goal does it. Well, it is when there are so many of them that just don't have that chance. By just completing high school and getting into a training school would give a chance for the whole family of that student to escape The Cycle of Poverty.