Information and Facts About Philippines — World Vision
| Overview The Philippines, located 500 miles off the coast of mainland Southeast Asia, is an independent island nation in the western Pacific Ocean. Comprised of more than 7,100 volcanic islands, the 11 largest accounts for 94 percent of the country’s land mass. The climate is tropical, with temperatures averaging 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Approximately 90 percent of the nation receives more than 70 inches of rain annually, and in some areas rainfall exceeds 200 inches. Typhoons are common occurrences in the Philippines. Education and health care are accessible to most people. Though primary education is free and compulsory and schools are available, the quality is lower in rural areas. Trained medical personnel also are in short supply in rural areas, but Manila has some of the best health care facilities in Southeast Asia. However, malnutrition related infant deaths remain high. Consequently, some 40 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, and 11.4 percent are unemployed. The country has an inflation rate of 3.1 percent. With a government quick to respond to the issue of HIV/AIDS, and a less than 0.1 percent HIV prevalence rate, a window of opportunity exists to avert a wide-scale HIV/AIDS epidemic. The Philippines primarily exports raw materials and imports manufactured goods. Rice and corn, the staple food crops, occupy 80 percent of all cropland. Commercial crops include coconuts, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, Manila hemp, tobacco, coffee, and cotton. The processing of agricultural products accounts for almost half of all industrial production. Fishing, forestry, and tourism also are important. Natural resources include: timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, and copper. |  | Sponsor a Child from Philippines
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| World Vision’s Work World Vision began working with the people of the Philippines in Manila during 1954. Childcare projects began shortly thereafter to help fund orphanages as well as daycare centers. Health care, educational assistance, hygiene, and spiritual enrichment projects also were offered. Of note was the Good Shepherd’s Gold Orphanage Project, which provided a gas stove, 600 reference books, musical instruments, vegetable seeds, and 3,000 textbooks. World Vision continues to bring hope to the people of the Philippines through activities meeting the needs of children and their families. Today, 19,000 girls and boys are receiving the benefits of child sponsorship. In addition, the U.S. office of World Vision currently is supporting 15 ADPs. Staff has targeted three main areas where work is conducted: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindano. World Vision is a pioneer in sustainable, integrated community development in the Philippines, with significant work in health, education, agriculture, and micro enterprise development. Of particular emphasis are programs that focus on the well being of children and economic development opportunities for women. Though primary education is free as well as compulsory, and schools are available throughout the nation, the quality of education is poor in rural areas. In their search for opportunities, many families move to big cities like Manila, where homelessness and drug addiction are serious problems among children. Child sponsorship is helping families find alternate sources of income so they can stay in their own communities and improve the quality of life for their children. Poverty affects both urban and rural communities. Access to health care is extremely poor in rural villages, while urban dwellers face high unemployment. World Vision child sponsorship offers families opportunities for improved health and a better quality of life. Though most Filipinos are literate, the country’s economic hardships mean that many children lack opportunities for a quality education. Child sponsorship is helping to break the cycle of poverty and provide boys and girls with basic necessities and the hope of a brighter future. Unfortunately, at this time, online picture folders are not available from the Philippines. You may still be able to sponsor a child from the Philippines by submitting a special request. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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