Handumanan Child Development Center

The village of Handumanan, on the island of Negros in the Philippines, was founded by the government to help people in the slum areas move to a better place. The majority of the population is poor, trying to find work in nearby Bacolod City. Many fathers turn to temporary jobs such as working on sugar cane farms or driving pedicabs. Most of the houses are temporary as well, consisting of one room with no electricity or running water. The families usually have eight to eleven people living in the one-room shelter. Most lack appropriate furniture, and have to eat and sleep on the floor. AMG established a childcare center to help meet the needs of the children in Handumanan. The children come five days a week to receive food, medical care, clothing, education, and spiritual discipleship. The faculty visits the children’s parents and discusses how to meet the needs of the children. Through the help of sponsors, these children and their families can hear the Gospel and be shaped into mature disciples of Christ.