Background
BT was started by a group of concerned individuals in 1987. Back then, the dream was to provide a safe place for children to get away from the streets.
34 years later and BT has changed the lives of thousands of children and young people. It has also grown significantly and now runs 10 programs across 3 provinces in the Philippines. Each day around 100 children directly access Bahay Tuluyan’s services, participating in programs aimed at providing opportunities for children who wouldn’t otherwise have them.
Recognizing the need to look for ways to become sustainable, in 2013 many friends of BT donated to enable BT to buy a piece of land to start a farm. 9 years down the track, this farm, ‘Uhay Nature Farm’ is the food bowl of BT, providing organically-grown rice, vegetables, fish and meat for the children of Bahay Tuluyan. It is also a teaching farm, giving young people valuable hands-on skills and training in organic agriculture. 25 young people train on the farm each year, earning income for their education and gaining practical skills and experience.
Why we need your help
When the farm was set up, a small, two room ‘bahay kubo’ (cottage) was built above the water pump to provide basic accommodation for young people staying there. This cottage is now very dilapidated and no longer safe for children or youth. Without appropriate accommodation we cannot continue to offer vocational training to youth or keep running the farm.
What we need
BTPA wants to help. We are looking to raise AUD30,000 so that we can build a new house to accommodate our young farmers. This house will be able to accommodate 8 – 10 young people at a time in safe and secure housing. It will directly benefit at least 150 children over the next 10 years.
How to give
No donation is too small – every dollar counts! Donate at www.btpa.org.au/a-home-on-the-farm today
More details
Uhay Nature Farm is located in Barangay Behia, Tiaong, Quezon, around 90km south of Manila. It is a rural farming area. Bahay Tuluyan’s land is 3.8 hectares.
