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Tracking the Trek 2005
Manila (A) Philippines - City OverviewManila has one of the largest populations in the world. The capitol of the Philippines, it's estimated that a quarter to a third of the city's population lives in slums or squatter settlements in various areas around the metro area. Because of the overcrowding, tragedies, such as last summer's the trash slide at Payatas, Quezon City in Metro Manila killed about 1000 people who live and work there.
Manila's history is a story of colonization for about 350 years by the Spanish from its founding in 1571 and then by a few other countries. The Philippines finally became independent in 1946, but has experienced a lot of political turmoil and corruption since, as evidenced by the current events of the presidency. Because of the influence of the Spanish, the main cultural religion is Roman Catholic. Tagalog is the main language of the people spoken there, but English is used in businesses, schools, and by the national media.
The Global Urban Trek to Manilais a program focused on developing and challenging young adults through cross-cultural mission training, living incarnationally in poor communities, and working alongside one or more organizations and/or ministries in Metro Manila that have had an effective and transformational impact among the poor.
Although there will be service components ("doing"), the focus of the program is learning ("being") among native Filipino leaders and communities who have boldly ministered amidst difficult places and situations through their holistic understanding of the gospel.
The Trek in Manila has two distinct programs: Area A and Area B. (see descriptions below). Each program has staff and a director to lead and walk with participants through the Trek experience (including preparation).
Note: applicants must specify in their application which area they would like to participate in.
We strongly encourage applicants to apply by February 1. All applicants will be informed about whether or not they are admitted between February 15-March 1.
Manila, Area A (Director: Francis Chen)
Incarnational living with families/youth in slum communities and garbage villages and transitional shelters for disadvantaged teenage youth
Area A applicants will live with families or teenagers in temporary shelters and serve alongside churches, missionaries, and youth counselors. Area A participants will be exposed to some of the following elements: family life participation, church planting, youth and adolescent programs, friendship and intervention among abused or orphaned adolescents, environmental issues, community development.
Please mention the specific issues or groups of people that interest you in your application.
Manila, Area B (Director: Joey Fung)
Joey: Incarnational living among focused populations, including
children's ministries, women in prostitution, and persons and families affected by leprosy.
Area B applicants will either live with families or ministry centers that minister to focused populations, such as children, women in prostitution, and persons with or affected by leprosy. Area B participants will be exposed to some of the following elements: community intervention, child and family development, outreach, counseling, friendship and intervention among abused victims of child abuse, leprosy or prostitution, and training in long-term development of abused communities from a Christian transformational perspective.
Please mention the specific issues or groups of people that interest you in your application.
Note: Participants who work with victims of leprosy work with treated persons. There is no risk of infection.
Overall Program (Program coordinator: Jess Delegencia)
Since the Trek has an emphasis on learning, participants are asked to see themselves as interns or trainees of what God is already doing in the slums of Manila. In addition to living in a Manila slum community and working alongside local leadership and at least one ministry or organization, the following training elements will be provided:
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Preparation guidance and assistance by director and staff
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Orientation and training in Los Angeles and Manila (7-9 days)
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Mid-project spiritual reflection in Manila (3-4 days)
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End of program debrief in Los Angeles (4-5 days)
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Ongoing cross-cultural training in Manila
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Reading the Global Urban Trek reader
Mutual interaction will take place between Area A and Area B through the training elements mentioned above. The directors will work collaboratively with each other and with the program coordinator in the training elements of the program.
Ministries in legal and political action
There may be opportunities for participants to be exposed to ministries in legal advocacy or public service/political action. If this is a particular interest, please apply to Area A or B, but do mention your interest in these fields.
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