Kick-starting the New Year with our first 2025 trip
We’re excited for two of our long-standing Trustees, Mary and Mark to visit Kanlungan at the end of January. Together they are taking 4 incredible volunteers on a trip of a lifetime: Averil, Joel, Carol and Susan. With one volunteer returning and three others visiting the Kanlungan family for the first time, The Streetlight Trust have been preparing for this trip for over a year and we’re so ready to get stuck in and make a positive change. Each volunteer brings a wealth of knowledge and skill set that truly make them a great team. They will be in the Philippines from 26th Jan - 6th Feb 2025, so keep your eyes peeled on our social channels! The group will be visiting and donating to the different centres and will spend quality time with the children at the boys and girl’s homes. They plan to take the children from one of the centres on a fun day trip and will also organise a number of food donations to the local community. If you would like to donate towards the group's trip click on the below donation button.
DONATE HERE
Some examples of how much your donation can make a difference:
£20 will feed 50 people lunch in the local community
£6 can take one child swimming for the day (including travel and supervision)
In anticipation for their trip we have sent the Kanlunagan family a bio from each volunteer and the children couldn’t be more excited to meet them! Below are the bio’s of our wonderful team, please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they embark on this incredible journey.
Mark Adams
“I am excited to be returning to visit Kanlungan for my first trip since May 2022. It is also great to be bringing a new team of people from St Margaret, Barking (my current church) as well as spending time with some old friends from Mansfield. This year marks the 20th anniversary of my first trip to Manila in 2005. Being involved in Streetlight and visiting Kanlungan since then has been a huge joy and privilege. I am looking forward to catching up with the amazing staff and children at Kanlungan, both those I have known for many years and those I will be meeting for the first time. Please pray that all the logistics of the trip will go smoothly, for safety in travelling, and that by seeing firsthand the work of Kanalungan, all the team members will grow in their faith and love for God during this time together.”
Mary Lane
“I’m so excited to be returning again to see my friends in the Kanlungan family. Being part of Streetlight and visiting over the years has always been a total joy to me. I’m also very happy to be coming out with Mark again helping to lead a small team. I am looking forward to seeing you all very soon and meeting old friends and new. Please pray for safe travels.”
Averil Wilkinson
“Hello, my name is Averil Wilkinson and I live in Mansfield, Nottingham, not far from Sherwood Forest, the home of Robin Hood! I have been married to David for 52 years and have 3 children and 8 grandchildren. I really enjoy spending time with my family. In my local church, I help with different activities, Mums and Toddlers and Prayer Group. 10 years ago, I visited this project with the church and really enjoyed seeing what you did. I have been praying for the project ever since, and I am really looking forward to visiting you again. We enjoy visits to garden centres and cafes. I really enjoy gardening and grow flowers and fruit trees. My favourite flowers are roses. I enjoy reading and making crafts. I look forward to seeing you all.”
Joel Soundrapandian
“I am Joelraj (or Joel for short). I was born and raised in the eastern side of London where I still live. I’ve also been a Christian since I was born and have been attending church for as long as I can remember. I’m currently working as a healthcare scientist in a hospital in London and love talking about all things Science having loved it from a young age. In addition to my work I love travelling, visiting new cities and places and seeing what they offer.”
Carol Brabender
“I am looking forward to meeting everyone. I have enjoyed working in many fields across the years as a further education teacher, where I still hold a class in various crafts once a week at our church. For 41 years, I was a youth worker in Newham with mainstream youth, young people with physical and learning disabilities and an LBGTQ group of 14 to 18s. My main area of work during the day was the manager of a Day Care Centre, caring for the highly physically and mentally frail elders over 60 years old. I have run our church Sunday School for more than 40 years and I am also the Safeguarding Officer and one of the Church Wardens. And last but not least I was a Magistrate for 24 years. It seems a lot but at 77 years old keeping active of mind and body gives me great understanding of whoever I work with.”
Susan Lancaster
“My name is Susan Lancaster -Marvin. I have retired from the NHS as a Customer Service Manager in Maternity. I have been worshipping at St Margaret’s Church for over 10 years . I now sing in the choir which is very rewarding. I am also an authorised local preacher and I enjoy serving the Lord, and am at present the PCC secretary. I am currently on a 2 year Christian Study Course, and have just completed year 1. I also work for a small charity looking after the well-being of 19 residents. This in itself gives me a great satisfaction. In my free time I like to do word searches, I find this to be relaxing.”
We look forward to keeping you guys up to date with the trip, follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see all of our latest posts!
“Let the light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16.
Praying for light and wisdom to our January team!