Life in the Philippines –How do you describe a country made up of 7,107 islands, many with their own unique culture and language? Luzon, the largest island group, accounts for more than half of the entire population of 76.5 million people. Our work is mainly in the southern islands of the country, as well as rural Luzon.

The majority of the population lives in very simple housing. Unfortunately, some live right on the street!

The jeepney (above left) is a post-war creation inspired by GI jeeps that the American soldiers brought to the country in the 1940s. Enterprising Filipinos salvaged the surplus engines and created unique vehicles of art. For shorter distances, there's motorcycle rickshaws and the pedicab, a bicycle with a sidecar (above right).

Travel between islands is usually by all types of boats and ferries.