The Farm

Well, its been another excellent day. We went to the Kanlungan Farm, about a 2 hour drive outside Manila. This is a relativly new Kanlungan project, its been open just over a year. The idea is to provide a place for older boys who are not in formal education so that they can learn agricultural and other skills.

It grows bananas, pineapples, coconuts, pepper and coffee. The boys have learnt how to make charcoal and their are plans for them to dry and groind their own coffee. They want to build a prayer house, sleeping quarters and workshops so the boys can learn woodwork and other craft skills.

It seems like a million miles away from the streets on Manila, but infact - for Kanlungan - there is a very close link. I know that you will think I am biased - but it has hit home to me on this visit what a seriously impressive organisation Kanlungan is. Last night I wrote that 'Every Child Matters' - well the farm is a physical embodiment of that motto. It just shows how Kanlungan tries to provide an oppourtunity for every child that it comes into contact with, from the street education programme, to the temporary shelter, the residential home with additional space for boys in formal education to the farm which provides for those who are not.

My frustration is that we cannot do more ... because there is so much more that could be done and (perhaps more importantly) that Kanlungan has the vision and the skills to do. What they need is the funds!!!

Thanks so much for your support in reading this blog - I really love logging on and getting your comments, so if you're reading and you've not commented yet, please do!!

I've attached some photos, and a video of one of the boys up a coconut tree - enjoy!

Thanks

Mark