Finally, Brian and Vicky Scarnecchia spent a day with Couples for Christ before leaving the Philippines. They were taken to visit several of the social ministries this charismatic organization is devoted to. They visited two prisons, one for women and one for juveniles. Atty. Scarnecchia told the women of the help his organization (ISHRI) provided to help pass a ban on human trafficking and sex slavery at the UN. They also went to two housing projects that Couples for Christ built and manage in Manila for the homeless.
Over 20 million Filipinos live in extreme poverty, on less than a dollar a day. These poor people move into the cities to escape starvation in the country and put together shacks consisting of wooden pallets, tin, used tires and blankets. Couples for Christ arrange for business to provide the materials and then engage the poor to provide sweat equity to build homes and neighborhoods with a community center and schools for their childre
n.
That evening in his talk to a large gathering of Couples for Christ, Atty. Scarnecchia pointed to these community projects - which are participatory and engage the poor themselves as planners and builders and that focus on the ethical and spiritual side of authentic human development - as a model of social development that those responsible for the MDGs should emulate.
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INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY & HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTE
ISHRI
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2006 Philippines Trip
Brian Scarnecchia interviews the Couple for Christ leader who
supervises one of the rebuilt communities in Manila.
Vicky Scarnecchia (center) sees firsthand the transformation of shacks into homes, and destitute persons into a commuity of hope.
© 2006 International Solidarity & Human Rights Institute, P.O. Box 4152, Steubenville, OH 43952
ISHRI - Forming tomorrow's leaders and creating a "culture of peace" through Catholic Social Teaching
© 2009 International Solidarity & Human Rights Institute, P.O. Box 4152, Steubenville, OH 43952
