Summary of Need

In the fall of 2000, Five Talents International - established a “branch office” in the community of Cainta in the slums of the Manila. Since inception this program has helped more than 1,500 poor families begin to break the cycle of poverty!  With a 99.4 percent repayment rate on four loan cycles, this has been a remarkable investment in the poor. In 2001, FTI expanded to incorporate the Taguig community and this also has helped hundreds of families get a start in business.

In 2006, Five Talents assisted the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Philippines by raising $40,000 to strengthen the Taguig program and to start a new program in the Antipolo Community. In both these areas, there are plans for the programs to be self-sufficient in the next 3-5 years. This will bring  economic stability to hundreds of poor families for years to come.

Click here to read a program update.

Community Description

Most families in the slum communities of Manila earn $2 to $3 dollars a day from working at odd jobs. The women are usually the main providers for the family. They scratch by through small-scale buying and selling of basic food, soap, and clothing products.  However, due to lack of working capital and basic business skills, their businesses falter and many fail. They have no other means of supporting their families. When a business fails, the family has no money for food and the children go hungry.  Malnutrition leads to diseases that can cripple a child for a lifetime. In the midst of these communities are Episcopal churches are serving both the physical and spiritual needs of the people.

Project Description

Through the Micro-enterprise Development and Spiritual Enhancement Program (MDSEP). The Episcopal Diocese of the Central Philippines has had great success working in its communities. The undertaking was piloted in two congregations/branches: Holy Faith Episcopal Church in Cainta and Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Taguig, both are located in Metro Manila. The base of the project are the two congregations; however, beneficiaries are Episcopalians and non-Episcopalians from the immediate communities.

Today, after four years of continuous and expanding operations, the MDSEP has become successful. From the point of view of the EDCP, a major reason for the success is the continuing partnership between the EDCP and the Center for Community Transformation (CCT). CCT proved to be an effective partner not only in the aspect of micro-finance but also on spiritual enhancement. Supervised loans coupled with continuing technical support to - and continuing spiritual enhancement formation of - borrowers are the major distinct characteristics of the micro-finance system. EDCP has one clergy each in the two congregations assisting in the spiritual enhancement component. In 2004, Fr. Ned Tim G. Mapangdol, the vicar of the EDCP assigned in Antipolo, a city adjacent to the municipality of Cainta, signified to Bishop Taclobao his intention to be part of MDSEP.

How you can help

Five Talents is committed to assisting those less fortunate in the slum communities of Manila, Philippines – by expanding an already successful loan program there.  Your leadership gift will help fight poverty, create jobs and transform lives.

This is a true investment in the poor because your gift will continue to be loaned out, helping literally thousands of families in the years to come!