Channel: VERSE

Category: Nonprofits & Activism

Tags: poverty workpasayphilippines povertyreal povertymanilacharity philippinesverse storiesmanila north cemeteryphilippines governmentslum cemeterycharity workliving in a slumphilippine culturedonationrodrigo dutertepovertyphilippinescemeterydocumentarylife in a slumslum lifepolitics of philippinesfilipino cultureslumsextreme povertypoverty slumhelpmanila povertypasay municipal cemetery

Description: Thanks to your support, her dream comes true: youtube.com/watch?v=TWJ_q8_T1R4 Her full story: versestories.org/jonalynenadongaimpactstory The Cemeterio Del Norte (North cemetery) is inhabited by over 5000 people who make a living among the dead. From cleaning graves, to running corner shops, the entire slum community ranks among the poorest of the world's poor. ​ With poverty a growing issue across Manila, 20 year old Jonalyne Nadonga has experienced this her whole life. Growing up in the cemetery from as early as she can remember, she spends each day cleaning graves, hoping for the visitor of one to show up and tip her (150 pesos / £2). She also does laundry work to make sure she is able to feed her son Caspian each day. ​ Sleeping on a grave stone is the closest thing to a bed Jonalyne and her son have got. Her husband currently works at a construction site hundreds of miles away. Only able to return every month to support her, he texts Jonalyne each day to make sure his son and her have eaten. ​ With a dream of one day leaving the cemetery, Jonalyne wants to open a small sari sari store (grocery store) that would support her son each day and allow her husband to work closer to home. ​ We invite you to support Jonaylne and her family and provide them with a new home to live in, soft beds to sleep in and a new beginning.  ​ Special thanks to: Nicole Revitta, Vina Salazar and Bei Yuh. Behind the scenes on Instagram: instagram.com/versestories Regular updates on Twitter: twitter.com/versestories Join the community on Facebook: fb.com/Versestories