John van Lahr

John expressed his thanks for the Midland Club's support of his project in the Phillipines.  He said there is always a need, there are always new clients and there is always the opportunity to expand programs.  He said he had talked last time about the people who lived off the dump.  To give us an idea of what the Phillipines can be like he gave a bit of a travelogue with slides - a beautiful place, beaches, swimming, fishing, Spanish Colonial buildings.  The people are strongly religious and generally very happy.  They are mostly poor but they know how to have parties.

50% of the population lives in poverty - less than $2.00 a day.  His organization is trying to get kids out of the circle of poverty.  They are still working at the dump where they scavenge in a pile that includes hospital waste.  He said after he saw that he has been speaking for them since.  But there are also kids working piecework, sleeping on the street or in pipes, prostituting themselves or being turned into child soldiers.  A little food and a few new clothes is all it takes.  82% of the kids are not in school and without education they have no hope.  Even those who get in have a hard time - out of 10, 2 drop out in the first year, 2 more by the end of elementary school and 3 more by the end of college.  Once they've left, they can't go back because they don't fit in any more.

He and others are trying to provide an alternative to formal schooling.  They are using computers to teach a quicker GED.  Literacy is the bridge between misery and hope, as Kofi Anaan says.  Supplies for these kids comes to about $60.00 a year and when they come out with a High School diploma they are employable.  Interest in the program is growing - they are now teaching in 3 jails and have been able to demonstrate a reduction in the rate of recidivism.  All the teachers are volunteers - only receiving travel expenses.  They had 256 students in the first year and are teaching 1,000 now plus the convicts.

A dozen clubs are contributing now but there is a growing need.  The program is being noticed internationally and John has visited Jakarta to provide advice and the Cardinal in Manila wants to help expand.   They are teaching in some schools remotely through satellite.  Success builds success and the need is great, the budget expandable.  

Phil thanked John for coming and for his work, calling him a world citizen.