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QUICK FACTS
Full name:
Republic of the Philippines
Population:
88,574,614 (2007 census)
Area:
300,000 sq km, 115,831 sq miles
TEAR FUND IN THE PHILIPPINES Major languages:
Filipino, English and eight major regional
About 30 per cent of the population in the Philippines is poor. Those trapped in the cycle of dialects
poverty are born into families that lack the resources to send their children to school, or provide
Major religion:
for their basic nutritional needs Christian (90% - Roman Catholic 81%)
Muslim (5%)
TEAR Fund has been partnering with a microenterprise agency in the Philippines, the Centre for
Community Transformation (CCT), to change this. Microenterprise loans and accountability Life expectancy:
67 years (men), 73 years (women)
structures enable hardworking people to grow their businesses into economic engines that
generate income to provide life-essentials such as food, housing, basic health care and the hope Main exports:
for a brighter future. Semiconductors and electronic products,
transport equipment, garments, copper
products, petroleum products, coconut
CCT operates through Microenterprise to empower poor communities to use market oil, fruits.
economics to rise above poverty. A small injection of capital breaks this cycle of poverty enabling,
Human Development Index (HDI): 90
families to work their way out of poverty with dignity. This not only improves the circumstances
of the micro entrepreneurs but their business can also provide jobs and business opportunities
for others in the community. CCT recognises that Microenterprise services are not enough and
have to go hand-in hand with instilling good values and strengthening the community.
CCT’s vision is to see Christ-centred faith communities where Jesus Christ is honoured and
worshipped and where people live with dignity and sufficiency. CCT currently extends small
business loans to more than 72,000 poor women entrepreneurs. Their overall outreach now
encompasses 130,000 families.
CCT has also established more than 5,000 fellowship groups where members meet to worship
and pray, study the bible, repay their loans, learn about doing business and support one another.
CCT partners with 155 local churches that adopt poor families and support them as they work
their way out of poverty.
MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
TEAR Fund partners with indigenous Christian organisations to help the poor create
income generation opportunities.
A fair credit loan empowers the poor to create a business to help them work their way
out of poverty. It releases them from relying on unscrupulous loan sharks who charge
crippling interest rates and encourages them to be self-sufficient rather than rely on aid.
Loan applicants meet specific criteria and are trained to help them improve and grow
their businesses.
With no welfare systems and few jobs available, small businesses are an essential part of
the economy. Behind each business there is an extended family, employees, suppliers and
customers who benefit.
About 98 per cent of loans are repaid and the money is recycled back into the community
so others can be given the opportunity to realise their dreams.
IN MY OWN WORDS Now we have fresh vegetables, chicken and fish with the rice that my
At 4 a.m the rooster wakes. My three-week old puppy, which is always father grows. I feel stronger each day and not so tired. When I grow
crying, probably woke him up. Long before it is light, I start my jobs. First up I will have to leave the farm because it’s too small to split with my
I sweep the yard, and then I splash water from the canal on the dirt road sisters. I can go to school and I have a chance to go to college and get
outside the house to keep the dust down. Before school I take the ducks a good job. We used to get sick a lot, but now our mother gives us
from the farm next door to feed on what the rice harvesters left in the medicine. I haven’t missed one day of school!
fields. When I whistle to the leader, it will lead the thousand or so ducks
back to their enclosure. My mother takes us to church. It is just across the road. We did not
used to go to church because she didn’t think it was important and
By 5am the tricycles (motorbike taxis with sidecars) will come tinkling she was ashamed of our old clothes. I know God doesn’t want us to
down the road with passengers grabbing a few moments of rest on the be poor. Every day I thank Him for what He has done for us!
CONTACTS:
National Office: Freephone: 0800 800 777
PO Box 8315, Symonds St, Facsimile: (09) 629 1050
Auckland 1150 Email: enquiries@tearfund.org.nz
New Zealand Website: www.tearfund.org.nz COUNTRY PROFILES