Home Again with a Full Heart!
Highlights from our incredible Spring 2025 Mission Trip to Kanlungan, Manila
We’re thrilled to share that all 22 volunteers have safely returned from an unforgettable journey to Kanlungan in Manila, Philippines!
A heartfelt thank you goes out to our amazing team of 16 UK volunteers - whose dedication, energy, and compassion made this mission truly special: Justine, Fiona, Craig, Fern, Ollie, Paul, Tay, Olivia, Ethan, Caroline, Simon, Abigail, Susan, Carol, Joel, and Averil. From gap-year students to seasoned paramedics, plumbers and retired nurses, The Streetlight Trust brought together some wonderful people from all walks of life - each one playing a vital role in making the mission a success.
We’re also incredibly grateful to our long-standing Trustees: Ian, Mary, Andrew, Nigel, Mark, Lian, Malcom and Crystal for their determination, leadership, wisdom, and unwavering support every step of the way.
The trip wasn’t without its challenges; cancelled flights, missing luggage, and the usual travel hiccups, but the team’s positivity never wavered. Through every twist and turn, they stayed focused on the mission; sharing love and joy with our Kanlungan family.
At Kanlungan Ministry Inc, children are provided with the care, love, protection, rehabilitation, and education they so deeply deserve. The organisation works tirelessly to support street children with first-aid, counselling, health education, and recreational activities; offering them a safe space to heal, grow, and reach their full potential.
Our missionaries were welcomed with open arms at every Kanlungan centre: the Open Day Centres, the Girl’s Home and the Boy’s Home. Of course, words can only tell part of the story, so we’ve put together some snapshots from the trip to give you a glimpse into the trip:
The Benitez Centre/ Open Day Centre
The ODC (Open Day Centre) was created to protect vulnerable children and provide a safe space where they can receive immediate help and be supported in their holistic development.
The Open Day/ Drop-in Center operates 10 hours a day, 6 days a week, offering a wide range of free services, such as nutritious meals, a wash room, first-aid, alternative education, spiritual development, skills training, and income-generating projects.
Children are also able to take a bath, get some rest, do their laundry, and enjoy meals in a safe and welcoming environment while at the ODC.
Our volunteers visited on various days, providing arts and crafts. playing games and praying with the young children. The group saw simple moments like these become lifelong memories and it reminded us that love needs no language.
Street Education Program
Kanlungan established the Street Education Program (SEP) to protect and bring essential services directly to children living on the streets. The Streetlight Trust volunteers worked closely with the team to fund and provide free community feedings for over 100 families - greeted by mostly women and children. Through the SEP, Kanlungan brings vital services directly to the streets and communities where these children live.
The Trustees hosted another joyful Mini Olympics for the children and staff, a lively celebration that brings the entire Kanlungan family together for a day of fun, games, and togetherness.
The connections, laughter, and heartfelt moments shared on this trip will stay with us forever.
Fern, a returning volunteer, was asked to describe her experience for future volunteers: “I have visited Kanlungan twice now, and both times were truly special. I left feeling so much love, warmth, happiness and gratitude for my experiences there. Kanlungan is a beautifully crafted project and I highly recommend that everyone visits. This trip opened my eyes and heart in ways I didn’t expect.”
A big thank you to Ate Sol and the Kanlungan family for being so accommodating to our missionaries.
We are now recruiting volunteers for our April 2026 trip, if you think this is something you would like to find out more about please contact us.