1988 book “Critical Choices” highlighted steps to tackle Philippine poverty, remains unfulfilled, ignored

Posted on October 24, 2011 by

Dorothy Friesen, author of Critical Choices

In 1988, Dorothy Friesen wrote an illuminating book on Philippine development, “Critical Choices: A Journey with the Filipino People.”  Ms. Friesen was the founder and Director of Synapses, an organization that links domestic and international issues; she was also the co-director of the Mennonite Central Committee in the Philippines. Dorothy is a Body Talk System Practitioner.

"Critical Choices: A Journey with the Filipino People" by Dorothy Friesen BOOK COVER (1988 edition)

In this book, “Critical Choices” part travelogue, part personal odyssey, part economic and social analysis, Dorothy outlined challenges of the Philippines and the important steps that the country need to tackle to get out of its crisis of poverty.  She vividly described her experience living in the Philippines as she offered reflection on and analysis of the Philippines under President Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino. But most of all, Dorothy outlined some clear steps to alleviate poverty in the Philippines.

In 2011, I found the book illuminating and relevant as when it was originally published. However, I felt a tinge of sadness that not much has changed in twenty-two years; Dorothy’s insights and suggestions were ignored.

So I would like to outlined seven political and social analysis that Dorothy Friesen recommended in her book that unfortunately remains unfulfilled twenty-two years later:

1. In 1988, income inequality in the Philippines remains high. The inequity in land ownership and the resulting poverty of rural Filipinos form the basis for agrarian unrest and discontent (Friesen, page 31).

In 2011, income inequality in the Philippines remains high. The poorest 20 per cent of the population account for only 5 per cent of total income or consumption; about 44 per cent or over 40 million Filipinos are living on less than US$2 a day (Philippine profile: Australian government 2011).

2. In 1988, Dorothy warned that deepening class divisions could lead to greater rifts in Filipino society (Friesen, page 261).

In 2011, deep divisions of rich and poor continue to exist. The percentage of the population living below $1.25 a day was 23 per cent or around 20 million people (Philippine profile: Australian government 2011).

3.In 1988, the Philippines pay 32.6 percent of its budget to pay its external debts. Dorothy commented that this is a prescription for trouble if a country uses most of its hard-earned currency to pay for foreign debt.

In 2011, the Philippines still pays 31.8 percent of its budget to pay for external debts (Wikipedia 2011).

4. In 1988, genuine land reform needs to be implemented (Friesen, page 43).

In 2011, land reform did not provide social equity that everyone hoped for. In fact, it exacerbated social inequality through distorted land markets, land rental restrictions, and decreased landowner ability and willingness to rent out the land. All these impediments may have reduced access to land for most of the landless farmers (Bello, The Political Economy of Permanent Crisis in the Philippines: page 82).

5. In 1988, US multinational corporations like Castle & Cooke continued to dominate agricultural exports including bananas and pineapples. Friesen argued that 87 cents of every dollar returns to the US as profits through liberal capital remittance scheme and just continues to exacerbate local poverty (Friesen, page 62).

In 2011, US multinational corporations continue to dominate the agricultural export market. Key foreign markets to Philippine exports including bananas and exports remain closed to Philippine local companies, as the US continue to support double standards as requiring more safety standards or applying more tariffs or invoking other requirements for sanitation and disease control (Bello, pages 148-149).

6. In 1988, ownership of capital, technical knowledge and know-how are centered around US and international business partners. The Philippines’ only matchstick company was bought from a Swedish company and its imports 100% of all the equipment and spare parts from the earlier, European owner (Friesen, page 66).

In 2011, the Philippines’ only matchstick company has updated its machinery but purchased it again from Europe and probably continues to import all the equipment and spare parts from the European manufacturer (Phimco Industries website).

7. In 1988, continued US military presence in the Philippines could be destabilizing to the country (Friesen, page 160).

In 2011, 500 US troops remain in Mindanao, Philippines to train Filipino soldiers in counter terrorism; there were no signs of any timetable for withdrawal (China News Daily July 2010).

Will it take another twenty-two years before someone paid attention to the suggestions that Dorothy Friesen wrote about? I hope not.

Posted in justice, Labor, Philippine poverty, Philippines, Poverty | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

UXO and Toxic Waste Victims Learn To Cope, Heal with Body Talk Access

Posted on September 26, 2011 by

In this issue, I will introduce to you on how victims of toxic wastes learn how to cope and heal by using Body Talk Access, a remarkable and simple set of energy-based techniques to make health maintenance and the management of daily health challenges accessible. The victims were afflicted by unexploded ordnance (UXO) and of toxic wastes left behind by the former US military installations in Clark and Subic, Philippines.

Last July 2011, Alan Along of the Alliance for Bases Clean Up (ABC) led the way as we both explored remote villages around Subic Bay, Philippines and interviewed victims of unexploded ordnance (UXO) around the area. Alan interviewed Erlinda Morales. She told us her tragic story as she and her husband was walking through Crow Valley on the way to their farm. Crow Valley was the main bombing range of the US Armed Forces in the Western Pacific when the US still had its major military installations there. Without any warning, a stray unexploded ordnance (UXO) hit Erlinda and her husband. They were both unconscious and were rushed to the hospital for surgery. Unfortunately, both husband and wife lost their legs to the tragic accident. They have not received any compensation from the US for their loss of their legs.

Erlinda started breathing heavily as she was recalling her traumatic incident.   She suddenly had a severe headache and was writhing in pain. I was so afraid that she was going to have a panic attack!  I felt partly responsible as the traumatic memories of the UXO incident came back haunting her.  Alan Along offered to rub her temples and her shoulders for relief; he started ‘tapping’ Erlinda’s head in key areas.  Alan continued this ‘tapping’ procedure for a few more minutes and all of a sudden Erlinda started to breathe regularly.  Erlinda felt normal again. She forgot about her earlier panic attack as she grabbed her umbrella; she was rushing to go home before the dark rain clouds ahead start pouring. This was my first introduction to Body Talk Access and I turned from a skeptic into a believer. I saw in my own eyes how Erlinda transformed her panic attack to a period of calm without taking any Valium or similar anxiety relieving, Western-type of medication.

What is Body Talk? “BodyTalk is a consciousness based healthcare system that addresses the physical, emotional and spiritual; and the balance within the person and with family, community life, work and nature.  This System brings it all together in a simple practical way that allows stress, pain and fatigue to dissolve,” Dorothy Friesen said, a well renowned instructor of Body Talk System Practitioner since 2002.

In this video, Dorothy talked about her training of Body Talk Access in the Philippines in 2009 and the recent successes and accomplishments of the program with toxic waste victims in Clark and Subic, Philippines.

Many UXO and toxic waste victims do not have access to basic healthcare.  Body Talk Access provides them simple and effective ways to cope with their situation, relieve stress and provide them a healthcare alternative.  Alan Along took the course in 2009 and is now one of the many practitioners of Body Talk Access, helping hundreds of UXO and toxic waste victims to cope and heal.  The Bayanihan Foundation is proud to sponsor Body Talk Access programs that provide immediate help to victims of UXO and toxic wastes. At the same time, the Bayanihan Foundation and its partner, Alliance for Bases Clean Up seek fairness and justice for the US to accept responsibility for the toxic wastes they left behind at their former US military bases in the Philippines.

Posted in Bases clean up, Education, Health, justice, Philippine poverty, Poverty | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I Found A Glimmer of Hope For Toxic Waste Victims in the Philippines

Posted on September 20, 2011 by

(Standing on the left) Myrla Baldonado discussed about victims of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and toxic wastes left behind at former US military installations in the Philippines (Sept 2011)

On September 16, 2011, the Bayanihan Foundation partnered with the Alliance for Bases Clean Up and presented a workshop on the victims of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and toxic wastes left behind by the former US military installations in the Philippines. September 16, 2011 marked the 20th year anniversary when the Philippine government refused to renew the lease of the US-Philippines military bases agreement that led to the withdrawal of US troops from the Philippines.

Twenty years later, the US has not cleaned up the unexploded ordnance (UXO) and toxic wastes left behind. In fact, the US government continues to deny responsibility. So the Bayanihan Foundation and its partners are appealing for fairness and justice on this issue and will conduct a public awareness and outreach campaign on this almost forgotten issue.

Myrla Baldonado, Organizing Director, feels very passionate about this issue.  Myrla is also the President of the Alliance for Bases Clean Up.  She shares her reflections and comments about the recent workshop:

“Is it still possible?  It’s like a fantasy that the US will take responsibility for us!”  I heard these remarks from an Amerasian during an earlier workshop that the Bayanihan Foundation co-sponsored  last July  4, 2011 in Angeles City, Philippines for Filipino Amerasians, children left behind by their fathers who were US military personnel.  The young Amerasian was responding to a larger question posed to the group if people in the US are still interested to advocate and include Amerasians in a future bill that could provide US citizenship for Filipino Amerasians. Filipinos were excluded from earlier laws that provided US citizenship for Amerasians from Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.

On  September 16, 2011, the Bayanihan Foundation sponsored a workshop on the bases clean-up issue.  The Pilipino Worker’s Center  (PWC), the Alliance for Bases Clean Up and the Philippine American Group for the Environment (PAGE) cosponsored and helped plan the event held at the Pilipino Workers Center in Los Angeles’ historic Filipinotown.  Around 50 participants, many of them Filipino immigrants, listened to a presentation and watched a video of the interviews of  unexploded ordnance (UXO) victims; James Castillo edited the film.

During that workshop, many expressed similar thoughts, “Is it still possible?  It’s like a fantasy that the US will take responsibility for us!”

A question and answer period followed. There was a deafening silence until Lolit Lledo of the Pilipino Workers Center  (PWC) attempted to relate the issue to the participants’ present lives as immigrants in America.

A connection sparked when Aqui Soriano Versoza, Executive Director of PWC, a Filipino American said, “Yes, these are stories that are far from your realities now.  However, do you like how the (US) government treated us like garbage that they left behind in the Philippines?  Why don’t we speak up for our rights as a nation and as a people? Look at the Mexican government, it speaks up for its people for immigration reform.  How come immigrant petitions from Filipinos take longer than most immigrant groups? That’s because we fail to speak up and fight for our rights.”  A vibrant discussion followed which concluded  with many of the participants affirming the need for the US government to clean the toxic wastes left behind at the former US military bases in Clark and Subic.  One of them approached me saying that he believes this issue is also similar to the fight for equity of the Filipino veterans of World War II; they are also left unrecognized by the US government after all these years.

So the next time I travel back to Clark and Subic in the Philippines, I have a solid answer if someone asks me about the status of the campaign.  This time I have a  powerful story to tell and that I found a glimmer of hope.  Soon we will be a force to reckon with as we join hands with Filipino Americans and  all supporters who will support us as we seek justice and fairness.  Whether they’re toxic waste victims or Filipino Amerasians or Filipino veterans of World War II, they all deserve to be heard; they all deserve fairness and justice.”

Posted in Amerasians, Bases clean up, justice, Philippines | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dangerous Unexploded Ordnance Found in Clark and Subic, Philippines

Posted on September 15, 2011 by

Last July 2011, I visited Clark and Subic, Philippine and I’ve met Norberto Dacuyan.  He proudly showed me his prized possessions of live mortars and shrapnel.  He was proud that he found them just steps from his front yard (see video link above).

So I dug a little deeper and I found more stories of UXO that could continue to endanger children and families that live there. I interviewed 21 victims of UXO; perhaps more similar stories exist as I only visited two villages during my short visit there.

Villager holding live mortar in his hands in Kinabuksan Village, Subic Bay, Philippines July 2011

I’ve also met Pablito Mellomida, a local resident of Kinabuksan Village in Subic Bay, Philippines. He took me around his backyard and dug a live mortar.  He held it in his hands and showed it to me.

I believe that the stories of UXO from Norbert, Pablito and 19 other victims of UXO are not isolated incidents having both Clark and Subic to be former US military bases for almost one hundred years.

The United States have acknowledged that both Clark Air Base and the Subic Bay Naval Facility have significant environmental damage and if the US unilaterally decides to clean up these bases in accordance to US standards, the cost for environmental clean up and restoration could reach Superfund proportions (US General Accounting Office Report January 1992).

However, the US continues to deny its responsibility to clean up the toxic wastes left behind. They deny responsibility based on the military bases agreement that it does not have any well-defined environmental responsibility upon the US to clean up after the withdrawal (US General Accounting Office Report January 1992: page 6; Mercado, 2001: page 9).

September 16, 2011 marks the 20th year anniversary of the Philippine government’s refusal to renew the US-Philippine military base agreement that set in motion the US withdrawal of troops from the Philippines.  Twenty years later, the US still has failed to clean up the toxic wastes left behind at its former military bases at Clark and Subic.

The Bayanihan Foundation, its partners including the Alliance for Bases Clean Up is launching a public education and outreach campaign to Filipino Americans and to all, appealing for fairness and justice on this almost forgotten issue.

In 2011, the Philippine case is still far from being resolved after 20 years of the closure of the bases.   The US continues to deny responsibility because the US-Philippines military bases agreement that it signed in 1947 lacked any provisions on environmental protection.  However, denial of its responsibility also ignores the US’ core values of fairness and justice.

You can help by:

  • Keeping informed about this important issue. Sign up for our newsletter, Facebook updates and periodic conference calls
  • Sharing this information to your friends and family
  • Contacting your US Representative about the need for fairness and justice on this important issue
  • Supporting toxic waste victims as they struggle to survive and heal by using BodyTalk Access
  • Joining a coalition of supporters that will help in public outreach
  • Donating to the Bayanihan Foundation and increase their capacity to reach out to more people in this public awareness campaign

For more information, you can download the following documents:

1) Literature review

2) Facts & Figures

3) Bibliography

4) Video of UXO victims HERE

Posted in Bases clean up, Diaspora Donors, Health, justice, Philippines | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Despite Depressing Global News, Two People Are Making a Difference – Educating Kids, Savings Lives

Posted on August 21, 2011 by

On August 21, 2011, reading the news headlines could be pretty depressing – jittery stock markets around the world and probably the continued global economic recession. As a result of these global events, the fragile Philippine economy could take another big hit.  The country is overly dependent on foreign remittances sent by overseas foreign workers and immigrants living outside the country.

Moreover, the Philippines is predicted to fall even further behind in meeting its UN Millennium goals of providing basic social services to its people by 2015.   The Philippines is expected to fail to reach these two major UN millennium goals (Commonwealth of Australia Philippine Report, May 2011):

1) Achieve universal primary education – boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling.  “Progress is not enough for the Philippines to meet (this important millennium development goal).  Primary school enrolments are high (84 per cent) and completion rates stand at 73 per cent, but insufficient investment in education (teaching and infrastructure) has negatively affected access to, and the quality of, education.”

2) Achieve maternal health – Reduce by three-quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio. “This goal will not be met on current trends.  The decline in the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births has slowed down: from 209 deaths in 1993, maternal mortality ratio (MMR) went down to 172 in deaths in 1998, and now estimated at 162. At this slow rate, it is unlikely that the 2015 target of 52 deaths in the MMR will be met.”

Despite the overwhelming negative headline news, two people are trying to make a positive difference to educate kids, save lives and make a difference one person at a time.  Dr. Domingo Alvear, a surgeon, and Blair Smart, a medical student, both lead extraordinary lives helping children, saving lives and making a difference for the long-term.

Dr. Domingo Alvear of the World Surgical Foundation and “Adopt A Hospital Program”

Dr. Dom Alvear (right) of World Surgical Foundation treats infant at a surgical mission in Palawan Island, Philippines (March 2010)

In January 2010, I joined Dr. Domingo Alvear at a medical mission to Puerto Princesa, Palawan.  Dr. Alvear graduated of the University of Santo Tomas Medical School in the Philippines; he has practiced medicine for many years in Pennsylvania and is a well-respected surgeon by his peers.  He also founded the World Surgical Foundation, conducting life-saving surgeries and missions around the world.  From the first day I met him, Dr. Alvear already expressed to me his frustration about the shortsightedness of the current set up of medical missions. Many Filipino American professionals joined these short-term medical missions that would last for a week or two; many would help for a day or so and then would slowly disappear to play golf or enjoy the beach!  “There must be another sustainable way to help,” Dr. Alvear lamented.

At the end of our Palawan medical mission, Dr. Alvear had put together the outlines of his vision for the “Adopt-A-Hospital” program, where doctors and medical practitioners could help a specific, local hospital in the Philippines for the long term; furnish it with beds, medical equipment, medical supplies and other long-term infrastructure; provide long-term medical care and perhaps even professional exchanges. Such long-term commitment is commendable since it’s poised to make a real difference, affect Philippines’ long-term health care and help achieve the Philippines’ UN millennium development goal of maternal health care for all. In the fall of 2011, the “Adopt a Hospital” program will début in Coron, Palawan with the support of the local government and the local medical society. This could be a great model of diaspora partnership for long-term health sustainability.

Blair Smart, first year medical student, providing educational scholarships to 18 children living in dumpsites in Leyte, Philippines

Blair Smart, first year medical student at Rush Medical College, sponsors 18 students from nearby dumpsites to go to school (August 2011)

In 2010, I met Blair Smart when he passionately presented his project to the Rotary Club of Chicago Far North; he wanted to provide basic food and scholarships to 18 children living in dumpsites outside Tacloban City in Leyte Island, Philippines.  Blair, 25, is a first year medical student at Rush Medical College in Chicago, IL. In 2010, he volunteered in that island and was tremendously affected by the poverty he saw around him. He wanted to do something. Upon his return to the US, he rallied his friends and family to raise $6,000 to provide food and educational scholarships to 18 indigent children living in nearby dumpsites. You might say that helping 18 children is quite small compared to the hundreds of thousands of street children that go hungry every night. However, Blair overcame the cynicism and want to affect change.

Next, Blair is planning a comprehensive health survey of the area that will hopefully pinpoint local resources and at the same time address the gaps in educational and health services. Such an approach will build upon a long-term approach in the road of providing universal education to all, including children that live in dumpsites.

Domingo Alvear and Blair Smart are not super heroes. They are ordinary men but they  have extraordinary capacity to help others and to give. They are living examples to us all that we call could make a difference even in these trying times – one person at a time.

Posted in Diaspora Donors, Diaspora Giving, Education, Health, philanthropy, Philippine poverty | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Filipino Christians Provide Food Packages to Needy Filipino Muslims during Ramadan

Posted on August 15, 2011 by

On August 14, 2011, my uncle and aunt, Dr. Vicente and Luz Saavedra and the Rotary Club of Iligan South provided food packages of rice, sugar and other essential food items to over 130 needy Filipino Muslim families in Iligan City, Philippines. For the third year in the row, the Zakat Foundation of America has partnered with the Bayanihan Foundation and sponsored these food packages providing food relief to over 650 men, women and children during the holy month of Ramadan.  The Zakat Foundation of America, is an international charity organization that helps generous and caring people reach out to those in need.

Iligan City (highlighted in red) in the southern island of Mindanao, Philippines

My uncle Vic and aunt Luz, members of the Rotary Club of Iligan South volunteered and helped distribute food packages containing rice, sardines, eggs, powdered milk, soap, pencils and paper for the children.

My uncle Vic Saavedra (far left) of the Rotary Club of Iligan South distributing food packages to Filipino Muslims in Mindanao, Philippines (2010 photo)

Filipino Muslim families in Tambacan village, Iligan City receive food packages during Ramadan (2010 photo)

Uncle Vic, Aunt Luz and the many members of the Rotary Club of Iligan South volunteered many hours shopping, packaging and distributing over 130 gift packs for Filipino Muslim families that live at or below poverty in Mindanao.  They plan to distribute the food packages to different villages and more remote areas around Iligan City. Many families in the area have anticipated these food packages since they have grown in popularity over the years (see earlier post on food packages in 2010).

I agree that these food packages will not solve the deep divide between Christians and Muslims in the island of Mindanao nor heal the deep wounds that are hindering peace in the island. However, I’m hopeful that these food packages are a small step to healing and that Filipino Christians giving packages to needy Filipino Muslims is moving us closer to peace.

Posted in Diaspora Giving, philanthropy, Philippine poverty, Philippines, Poverty | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bayanihan Foundation IS IN THE NEWS!

Posted on July 31, 2011 by

In July 2011, the Bayanihan Foundation IS IN THE NEWS TWICE!

Philippine Inquirer Article "Forgotten Children Seek Recognition" July 5, 2011

1. On July 5, 2011, the Bayanihan Foundation was featured in Philippine local TV and at a leading Philippine daily, The Philippine Inquirer, “Forgotten Children Seek Recognition.” The foundation co-sponsored a series of workshops with its partners, WeDpro and Buklod. The workshop led to the creation of the United Philippine Amerasians, an organization led and organized by Filipino Amerasians to respond to the needs and challenges that they face. The foundation is looking forward to the continued leadership development of the group.

You can read the entire article by clicking HERE.

AREA Chicago Magazine Immigration Issue front cover July 2011 - Dale Asis' article featured

2. On July 22, 2011, AREA Chicago Magazine launched its Immigration issue and featured an article that I wrote, “No More Band Aid Immigration Proposals: Diaspora Donations Could Grow to Alleviate Poverty and Reduce Migration.”

I wrote about my work with the Bayanihan Foundation Worldwide and the potential of Filipino diaspora philanthropy in helping reduce migration and alleviate poverty back home.

You can read the entire article by clicking HERE.  You can also read the article that I wrote below:

*********************************************

No More Band Aid Immigration Reform Proposals
Diaspora Donations Could Grow to Alleviate Poverty and Reduce Migration
by Dale Asis (from AREA CHICAGO Magazine, Immigration Issue July 2011)

In 2007, on a yearlong fellowship from the Chicago Community Trust, I traveled to my mother’s native village in Bicol, Philippines, where I was confronted by the poverty of my own distant relatives. Many of them literally wanted to travel inside my luggage and join me back in Chicago. I visited my cousin, Romy.  He lives in a one-room shack with a couple of tin sheets as roofing and discarded cardboard boxes as walls. I didn’t see a bed; he probably sleeps on the floor with his wife and two children. He offered me a chair to sit on, the only visible furniture in the house. In his early forties, he patches tricycle tires for a living.  Tricycles are motorcycles with sidecars attached and are used for public transportation in small towns. Many tricycle drivers opt to patch the tires and not buy new ones to save money.  My cousin and I stood in the heat of the sun all day in front of the public market waiting for tricycles that needed their tires patched up. Romy earned about 80 pesos, less than $2 for the entire day. His earnings were not enough to buy rice, fish and vegetables to feed his family.

During my visit, I saw the connection between my relatives’ poverty and the overwhelming number of immigrants who feel they must migrate to seek a better life. At that time, I was working as the Executive Director of the Coalition of African, Arab, Asian, European and Latino Immigrants of Illinois (CAAAELII), one the largest immigrant-led coalitions in the country. I was advocating for tens of thousands of immigrants and refugees but their numbers kept increasing exponentially every year. I felt that I was bailing water out of a flooded basement and I was too exhausted to even look around to plug the “hole”.

My visit to my mother’s village was a turning point in my life. I realized that the “hole” was the abject poverty of my own relatives and millions of workers in many migrant-sending countries that are so desperate they are forced to seek a better life elsewhere. I decided to address the root cause of migration by leveraging the financial and technical potential of the growing Filipino diaspora to improve the economic situation in the Philippines. I realized that many Filipinos like myself are living abroad and that collectively we could make a difference by giving sustainably and responsibly back home.

In 2008, I decided to encourage other Filipinos to donate, volunteer and improve the situation in the Philippines; to plug the “hole.” I sent my cousin’s son, Vicente to nursing school, the first one in his family to go to college. Back in Chicago, I asked my family and friends for donations; I collected $5,000 and built five homes for the poor. I found out that I was not alone. Many immigrants sent tens of billions of remittances back home.  In 2010, the Philippines received almost $19 billion in remittances, saving the country from deep economic recession.  However, many of these remittances were used for personal consumption and family needs.  Some of the remittances being sent were used to fund philanthropic projects. Unfortunately, many of these donations are sporadic, isolated and disconnected. The best practices are not being shared. Simple coordination and resource sharing are not happening on the ground, even with the best intentions.

So I decided to establish the Bayanihan Foundation Worldwide based on Filipino traditional values of bayanihan meaning community spirit, trust and helping each other.  I hope that my donations and those of others in the diaspora will improve the living situations back home for the long-term and somehow plug the “hole” of desperate poverty which pushes people to migrate to US cities like Chicago. Are diaspora donations effective in alleviating poverty? That remains to be seen. I am hopeful that these community projects could grow over time and address the poverty.

Comprehensive immigration reform must go beyond the band-aid approach for any reform to work. It should include poverty reduction programs in migrant-sending countries as a necessary component.  Unfortunately, none of the proposals, either from the left or the right, include any poverty alleviation projects in any migrant-sending country, particularly Mexico, which accounts for almost fifty percent of the undocumented population in the US. On the other hand, immigrants are starting to contribute to community development projects back in their native countries that in time could grow to alleviate poverty. The phenomenon of diaspora giving is nothing new. Jewish, Irish and Italian Americans and many others have given and sharing their talent and resources back to their homelands for decades. For newer immigrant communities like the Filipinos, the major challenge is to move from giving that is fragmented and sporadic to something sustainable, coordinated and responsible.

Posted in Amerasians, Diaspora Donors, Diaspora Giving, Poverty, Remittances, Youth leadership development | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments