Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't updated in a while. We've been so busy with class and praxis and community activities. Here is the link to the profiles of current students in the program so you can see my bio and see all of the students that are accompanying me here. They spelled my name wrong... McCarthy... don't worry I'm working on fixing it.

http://www.scu.edu/casa/bayanihan/students/current.cfm

I have a few photos here from my praxis site.  The people there are getting nervous because the government organization who owns the land that they are 'squatting' on is starting to fence off the fields so they can no longer farm them and there are rumors that the government is going to remove them from the land sooner rather than later.  A new gate is being installed in April that will be closed from 8pm to 6am restricting them from leaving or getting into their community. It will be hard for the children to get to school and many people to get to work on time because often they have to leave before 6am.  I will let you know how the situation develops. We are trying to encourage them to talk with the Government group and the neighborhood next to them to present their situation and try to make gate hours more lenient.  It is hard to find a clear solution to the problem because it isn't their land but they have made it their home.  One of the community members took us on a tour the other day of the area next to Sitio Payong that had 600 families living on it which were relocated a couple years ago.  Many left Manila and some moved in with family in Sitio Payong.  The people were compensated as little as 5000P for their homes if at all, about 120 USD.

This is the land that the Philippine Heart Center owns that used to be home to 600 families who were forced to relocate.

Wealth surrounds the area of Sitio Payong (you can see the nice houses at the top of the hill.) Its neighboring Barangay  (neighborhood) Loyola Grand Villas is one of the wealthiest in Manila.

The man who used to live in this area said this was a step that used to lead to one of the homes that was demolished.

He used to live here and was telling us about the process of being relocated. He moved in with family in Sitio Payong.

This house is on edge of the demolished area and Stio Payong. Everyone living to the left of the house was forced to move. 

On a happier note. I am so excited because my family is coming to visit this week in Manila and we will be going to Bohol, an island in the south, for Spring Break! I'm so excited to share this experience with them and introduce them to all of the amazing people I have met here. Please pray for a safe trip for them! I will update you after break hopefully with lots of pictures of the beaches and chocolate hills of Bohol!