Liwanag sa Bundok ng Usok: A Brighter Path for Smokey Mountain Learners

In the heart of Tondo, Manila lies Barangay 128 — a community known as Smokey Mountain, where dreams are often obscured by poverty, and progress feels both close and distant. It’s here that JCI Manila, through its Community Development Directorate, has launched one of its most impactful initiatives to date — the renovation of the Smokey Mountain Learning Center.

The project, spearheaded by Project Chairman John Alfred Xavier Tan and overseen by Community Development Director Roberto Castro, aims to provide a safe, empowering space for out-of-school youth and alternative learners in one of Manila’s most underserved communities.

The Reality on the Ground

Barangay 128 is home to an estimated 27,000 residents, with over 50% relying on scavenging as their primary livelihood. The landscape is harsh: informal settlements, unstable income sources, and limited access to quality education, healthcare, and secure employment.

Youth aged 13 to 17 are among the most vulnerable. Many grow up surrounded by risks — from malnutrition and early pregnancy to gang involvement and school dropout. Alarmingly, more than 62% of elementary students eventually discontinue their education, often due to economic pressure and lack of accessible learning facilities.

Despite these challenges, the youth of Smokey Mountain show remarkable resilience and a strong desire to change their circumstances. Recognizing this, JCI Manila committed to creating a space where these aspirations could be nurtured.

A Community Learning Center Begins to Rise

This year, the first major step was taken: renovation works began on the Smokey Mountain Learning Center, a beacon of hope that will serve as a venue for continued learning, growth, and community engagement.

Furthering its mission, JCI Manila recently met with professors from the Alternative Learning System (ALS) program of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP). As part of their community outreach, the PUP ALS team will work with JCI Manila to support learners preparing for the Department of Education’s Assessment and Equivalency (A&E) Exam — a nationally recognized test that grants high school diplomas to individuals who were unable to finish formal schooling.

But the vision goes beyond just passing the exam. The goal is to lay the groundwork for a community-based college ALS program right within Smokey Mountain — a bold move that would redefine access to education in this community.

Call for Support

While progress is well underway, the work is far from finished. To fully realize the potential of the learning center, JCI Manila is appealing for support in the form of: Paint — to bring color and life to learning spaces; Vinyl Flooring — for a clean, safe, and dignified environment; Air Conditioning Equipment — to create a conducive atmosphere for education.

“This is more than a renovation,” says Project Chairman John Alfred Xavier Tan. “This is a movement to break generational cycles of poverty and empower young people with tools to transform their futures.”

Under the leadership of Dir. Roberto Castro, the Community Development Directorate has ensured that the initiative reflects the core values of JCI: active citizenship, sustainable development, and people-centered impact.

Be Part of the Change

Smokey Mountain may be far from the centers of privilege, but its youth deserve the same opportunities to learn, grow, and lead. With the continued support of partners and donors, JCI Manila is determined to bridge that gap — one classroom, one student, one hopeful step at a time.

Those who wish to contribute to this transformative initiative may reach out to the JCI Manila Secretariat, located at Arquiza Street corner Jaycee Way (Grey St.), Ermita, Manila, Philippines. You may contact them via phone at (632) 8525-6792 or (632) 8525-2631, or send an email to clubhouse@jcimanila.org.

JCI Manila is a premier leadership development organization dedicated to empowering young people to create positive change — and this project is a shining example of that mission in action.