The Purple Community Fund (PCF) is a non-profit organisation that works to alleviate poverty in the Philippines by providing sustainable solutions for marginalised communities. The organisation was founded in 2009 by Jane Walker, a British social entrepreneur who was inspired to make a difference after seeing the poverty and inequality that existed in the Philippines. PCF’s programs focus on education, health, and livelihoods. In terms of education, PCF provides scholarships and education support to disadvantaged children, including those who have dropped out of school due to poverty. They also provide teacher training and support to improve the quality of education in impoverished areas. The PCF also provides medical assistance to underserved communities, and they work to try to prevent malnutrition by promoting healthy eating habits and providing access to nutritious food and education of health issues. The PCF provides training and support to help communities develop sustainable businesses and improve their incomes. This includes training in entrepreneurship, agriculture, and handicrafts, among other areas.
The children who live on the rubbish dumps in the Philippines face a range of challenges that can have a significant impact on their health, well-being, and future prospects. Some of the challenges they face include:
Health risks: Living on a rubbish dump exposes children to a range of health risks, including respiratory problems, skin infections, and gastrointestinal illnesses. They may also be exposed to toxic chemicals and hazardous materials.
Lack of access to education: Children living on rubbish dumps often have limited access to education, which can have a long-term impact on their ability to break the cycle of poverty.
Poverty and hunger: Many families living on rubbish dumps struggle to meet their basic needs, including food and shelter. Children may go hungry or suffer from malnutrition, which can have a negative impact on their physical and cognitive development.
Exploitation and abuse: Children living on rubbish dumps may be at risk of exploitation and abuse, including child labour and trafficking.
Stigma and social exclusion: Children living on rubbish dumps may be stigmatised and excluded from mainstream society, which can have a negative impact on their self-esteem and mental health.
There is a paradoxical situation where children living on rubbish dumps in the Philippines earn money by collecting and selling plastic waste, while at the same time we are trying to reduce plastic waste to protect the environment. On one hand, the collection and sale of plastic waste provides an income for families living on rubbish dumps and can help them to meet their basic needs. It can also contribute to recycling efforts and help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills or the ocean.
On the other hand, the reliance on plastic waste as a source of income highlights the broader issue of poverty and inequality that drives people to live and work in such conditions. It also highlights the need for sustainable solutions that address the root causes of plastic waste and reduce our reliance on single-use plastics.
To address this paradox, it is important to implement policies and programs that promote sustainable waste management practices and reduce the amount of plastic waste that is generated in the first place. This can include measures such as plastic bag bans, increased recycling infrastructure, and support for sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics. At the same time, it is important to address the root causes of poverty and inequality that drive people to live and work in such conditions, by providing education, health care, and livelihood support to marginalised communities.