Walking with the poor - notes from Philippines

9th Annual Convention (Encuentro) in the Philippines

November 2007

A worldwide community of compassion

From Guatemala to Kansas City, Minneapolis and Japan, it was after midnight when we arrived in Manila. An early morning run on the busy street outside the hotel helped us breathe in the friendliness of the people.

A breakfast orientation over rice and bangus fish with CFCA colleagues Trisha Pitts and Chris Shillito … and then Paul Pearce, international programs director, and I are on our way with them to visit staff and families at subproject BX, where there are 1,312 sponsored, including 110 aging and 48 scholars.

Bob Hentzen and Rogelio, a nine-year veteran of the Quezon project, meet at the 9th annual convention for five Filipino projects.

This subproject is located in a small fishing town in the northwest portion of metro Manila. Most of the city’s poor live in slums along the riverbanks and beaches. Some are fortunate to find work in nearby shipyards. Pollution has drastically reduced the amount of marine life in the area, and has led to higher levels of unemployment and poverty. Humanly and ecologically, there is tremendous need in this area. On the upside, the spirit of CFCA staff and families is strong and inspiring.

Gathering with staff, mothers and scholars at subproject BX

Our group of four (Paul, Bob, Trisha and Chris) enjoyed a fine interchange with a group of CFCA mothers working on “livelihood” projects, five scholars helping the team this morning and subproject staff.

Mothers we met told us how CFCA has helped them: “I’ve learned skills for sharing and growth … Behavior of my son has improved through this program … My own self-image and family spirit have improved … Our health awareness as a family has improved … ." According to the staff, in 2008 this subproject would be prepared to grow by 20 to 40 new children per month. For this, we would be most grateful.

Yet, challenges remain. We have 149 mothers who are alone and heads of household. Fathers of our families can find only casual work fishing or as tricycle (taxi) drivers. On a good day, moms can earn $4.80 to $7.22 preparing and selling food on the street or $3.60 per day washing other people’s clothes. Two percent of our parents (or 24 parents) are battling addictions.

Organizational audit of Quezon project

The four of us spent the entire day of Nov. 14 working with staff of the Quezon project in wrapup sessions of an organizational audit. We spent the major portion of the day on individual interviews with staff, and wrapped up the day with a general session including everyone in the central office.

24 hours in Legazpi

At the end of the convention, each CFCA staff member is offered the opportunity to sign a personal commitment to uphold the organization’s core values and ends statements. Every staffer signed.

In spite of an all-day downpour in the Manila area, Paul, Chris and I were able to wade through serious puddles at the domestic airport and take the Cebu Airlines flight to Legazpi. Trisha visited the Antipolo project.

It has been raining in Legazpi for several days and everything is very green. The palm trees are making their comeback after being literally stripped by the devastating typhoons of last year. We began a series of staff, board and executive committee meetings, which I found to be very optimistic. It’s great to see their creativity taking flight.

At the convention, we were blessed with daily celebration of the Eucharist with great preparation and participation in liturgical dance and beautiful music. De Montfort Father Richard Magaruru offered two excellent homilies. Father Richard is the director of formation for De Montfort novices and a friend of CFCA. This convention is the one time of the year when staff members from the five CFCA projects from distant parts of the country come together to learn, to share and to enjoy a couple of full and meaningful days.

Giving thanks

Thank you for traveling with us. On this Thanksgiving Day, 2007, I am grateful for each of you who are helping us at CFCA to build this truly worldwide community of compassion.

God’s blessings.

Bob Hentzen
Philippine Islands,
Thanksgiving, 2007

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