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Contextual Analysis of our Experiences

Visit a slum, stay overnight and write your reflections.

  1. What kind of poverty did you find?

  2. What are the progressions out of poverty?

  3. How did people view you?

  4. How does leadership develop in this slum?

The following are the reflections of the Nov 7, 2004, Manila class reflections on an overnight stay in the slums.

Levels of Poverty in the Slums

There are varied levels of poverty in the slums.  Level of poverty depends on age of slum.  There is upward mobility as people move from being renters, to being owners, then renting to others, then from those resources developing businesses (Jeepney, Sari-Sari, Piggery, Canteen, suppliants like water, boarders, basic needs like food, clothing and shelter, or drugs).

There are three levels defined by land rights. Some have no rights, some have some legal rights or are officially land owners. Some have to pay for some years and get the land then. Once people have security people will build concrete or wooden houses.

The location is important (especially for jobs),

Progressions in the Slums

There are steps in progression of people in slums. First renting a room, then business (supported by CCT, building a house, rent a whole floor until maybe finally being a Barangay Captain or moving to a middle class environment). There should be a just progression in each step. Renting a room is P900, a floor P1500, a house P3000. (P30=$1)

People in our place lacked security and were afraid of fire.

The way out of poverty is education and in immorality. Once a girl is married prostitution might also be culturally imposed by the husband to get more.

The Role of the Seminary Student

Being a seminary student means they expect something from you. You have a certain role like bringing their unsaved family to Christ and minister to them.

People are embarrassed if you come to their house. Talk outside because they can not offer you what they think they deserve. It’s a question of honour.

Leadership from within?

On the one hand they see the humility of people coming from outside, but on the other hand churches grow faster with poor leadership.

Entrance in a slum

First through children and women (they only have to worry about their husbands). Men come to faith last, because they have to think about business and a change of their whole life. So CCT would create a group of men called “Barkada”.

Its very important to put men in leadership because very often women are very strong. Men feel inferior and go to others.

If a man loses his job, he gets drunk. Immorality comes in, the woman becomes hard and the husband has a tough life. You have to set back all these steps.

© Viv Grigg & Urban Leadership Foundationand other materials © by various contributors & Urban Leadership Foundation,  for The Encarnacao Training Commission.  Last modified: July 2010
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