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A FRESH SERVING OF

COFFEY
IN THE PHILIPPINES
JOHN COFFEY NOV 2009 - NOV 2010

SERVING THE POOR IN MANILA


Three years ago, I travelled to the
TEACHING IN THE
Philippines for three weeks to serve
STREETS OF MANILA,
those in extreme poverty. The very PHILIPPINES
next year, I found myself back in
the Philippines for two months in
which I ran feeding and ministry
programs for street children, youth,
families in dumpsites, and street
gangs. This fall, I'm returning to the
Philippines for a year as an intern
with International Teams. My goals
are even more focused this trip -
particularly with regards to my be-
lief in the potential for education to
help street children escape a vi-
cious trend in unemployment, gang
violence, and poverty.

WHAT AM I ABOUT?
ABOUT I am very passionate about two
PHILIPPINES TEACHING IN things: education and poverty. In the
• Location: ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS last year, I completed my Bachelor of
Southeast IN TORONTO Education at the University of Toronto,
Asia, south of
China and I experienced the joy of teaching
• Population: Kindergarten-Gr. 6 classes in various
90 million inner-city schools. Bringing my guitar
• Metro Manila
is 11th largest
to class each day, I frequently incor-
city in world porated music into my teaching. I also
with 16 million brought the desire to facilitate the
people
learning of children with special
• 7,000 islands
make up the needs. For the summer, I will be
country teaching and counseling at a summer
camp for children with
special needs.
WHY THE PHILIPPINES?
Manila, Philippines is one of the most overpopulated CHILDREN FROM
THE SLUMS
cities in the world. I was appalled and broken-
hearted at the sight of densely packed squatter
communities that stretched for miles, sometimes
through dump sites. Many school-aged children in
these areas and in the slums do not have the oppor-
tunity to get any formal education. Often basic needs
for food, sanitation, and safety come before the need
for education. My desire is to help urban poor chil-
dren achieve both these basic needs and to have the
opportunity to learn skills that can lead to future em-
ployment. Specifically, I will be feeding and washing
street children, helping youth with addictions, and
teaching literacy programs for the urban poor. I am
also hoping to take Tagalog lessons and to volunteer
in a small elementary school in a squatter commu-
nity.

CHILDREN LIVING LET’S DO THIS TOGETHER!


IN DUMP SITES I am so blessed to have these gifts for teaching and
serving those in poverty. I am hoping to give back to
a community that never had the same opportunities I
had for an education. However, I cannot do this alone.
This trip wouldn’t be possible without the support of
others, and I want you to be an integral part of this
mission to help those in poverty rise above their
situations in practical ways. My hope is that you will
discover the same joy in giving and following my
mission as I do in serving! My total monthly support
required is $1,460, and almost 50% of that will go
directly to programs for the urban poor I will be
SPECIFICS working with (e.g., scholarships for children to attend
Departure: Nov 1 CONTACT INFO school, feedings and literacy program costs). Includ-
Duration: 1 year International Teams ing initial set-up fees (e.g., flight, visa), the total
Budget: $20,000 1 Union Street amount I need to raise is $20,000. You may choose to
Elmira, ON N3B 3J9 support me for a month or a week of my trip (which
Phone: 519-669-8844 can be divided into monthly statements as opposed
Toll-Free: 1-800-465-7601
to a one-time payment), or you can make a donations
(cheques payable to “International Teams”)
of any amount. I greatly appreciate any contribution
secure online giving available at: you can offer, financially or
www.iteams.ca prayerfully.
contact me at:
johndlcoffey@gmail.com

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