Dumpsite Kids Project - Volunteer for the Visayans (Tacloban City, Philippines)

The Dumpsite Kids Project aims to rehabilitate children away from scavenging in the Tacloban dumpsite and enroll them in school.

The Dumpsite Kids Project aims to rehabilitate children away from scavenging in the Tacloban dumpsite and enroll them in school.

Volunteer for the Visayans initiated the Dumpsite Kids Project in 2005, after learning of the magnitude of the problem. At that time, volunteers who visited the site were dismayed to see many children, some as young as five, working there, amid the stench of rotting material and oozing methane gas. The children appeared to be oblivious of the dangers. When a dump truck arrived, they joined the adults in rushing up to it. Some of the children clung to the side of the dump cab and took delight in riding it, as the front of the cab lifted up to slide the garbage out. Like other children in the Philippines, the children were playful. This was their playground; this was the only life they knew.

When the project was initiated, VFV first surveyed the people at the dumpsite to gain an understanding of their backgrounds and their needs. VFV collaborated with governmental offices at the local and provincial levels and together worked to address this complex, multi-faceted problem. It was clear that just providing meals to those at the dumpsite would not be enough.

VFV has continued to work collaboratively with the local governmental council and the Philippines Department of Labor and Employment on various initiatives. The physical environment has improved somewhat as the national government now requires that the garbage mound be less steep, that the refuse be compacted, and that the fill be covered with a thin layer of dirt at intervals. These regulations were adopted after over 300 persons were killed in a landslide of garbage at a Manila area dumpsite.

The goal of the Dumpsite Kids project is to draw children away from the dumpsite and enroll them in school. VFV does this by providing incentives – food subsidies, clothing, school supplies, and weekly meals. VFV also monitors the children’s health and academic progress, and works with their parents to strengthen family functioning.

On an ongoing basis, VFV provides enrichment activities, such as awareness sessions, art sessions, and games. This year, VFV plans to provide recreational and educational programs during school break (April to June 2011).

--- Current Status ---

There is no governmental funding available for any of VFV’s programs. Currently, the Dumpsite Kids Project operates on donations received from its international volunteers (who work at VFV’s various project sites) and a few international donors. Local volunteers also pitch in but are not in a position to donate funds.

The Dumpsite Project has accomplished a lot during the past six years. Thirty-five children have left the dumpsite and enrolled in school. Fifteen were honor roll students, and two have just graduated from high school. All of the children have made major gains in health and social competence.

--- Looking Forward ----

Volunteer for the Visayans meets regularly with the dumpsite children and their parents. However, the group does not have an adequate meeting site. Over the years, they have had to move from one temporary location to another; some of these locations have been in poor shape. Currently many of the meetings are held in a non-enclosed bus shelter. This has been unsuitable, especially in rainy weather.

VFV’s goal is to establish a Learning Center in the neighborhood where the families reside; the neighborhood is within a relatively small, rural barangay (the locally governed district). The center would be used for meetings with the children and their parents, seminars, food subsidy distribution, and weekly meals. It would serve as a learning resource center, with books and other resource material available, and would be where the international and local volunteers would conduct ongoing tutoring.

This is VFV’s vision: That one day soon, there will not be a single child laboring at the dumpsite; that all of the children will be in good health – physically and emotionally; and that all of the children will all do well in school.