At Humans of Payatas we share real stories from people in Payatas. Payatas is one of the largest and poorest slums in the Philippines, but it’s also home to great people with unique and beautiful stories.

Humans of Payatas began as a way to give people their power back. Some people used to say that we were speaking for those who couldn’t speak for themselves. We thought there was a better way… rather than speaking for them, why not let them speak for themselves? Because no matter how poor someone is, no matter anyone’s situation, they have the power to tell their own story. We don’t want to take that power away by speaking for them, so we just have to ask and listen.

So in their words, please enjoy this month’s highlights from Humans of Payatas.

1) Finding love in Payatas.

2) A woman’s strength.

3) Sometimes no matter what you do, how hard you try, you cannot escape the cycle of poverty. Ronabel shares the positive side of her story, hers has a somewhat happy ending. Sometimes it can get too much though. Check out this Faces of Payatas feature for a more in-depth look at the problems involved in this cycle of poverty.

4) Behind the headlines of poverty, the dumpsite, and violent crime that Payatas is known for, is a community. Most people don’t get to see this side of Payatas because they’ve only seen the headlines from the news. People in Payatas take care of each other, look after one another, and build up a community.

5) People from Payatas are among the most hard-working we’ve ever known. The work they do is hard and sometimes dangerous. While the work itself is not so rewarding, the reason they work so hard is. For their family, their friends, and their community.

Much is said of Payatas in the news and on social media and none of it allows the people of Payatas to speak for themselves. Humans of Payatas is about sharing the inspiring, beautiful, challenging, and ultimately the real stories of people from the community. It’s about sharing the voices of people and letting them speak for themselves.

You can help support the Fairplay for All Foundation and Humans of Payatas so we can continue to share people’s stories and work to empower the community through quality education, sports, and sustainable nutrition. Donate via PayPal at the right hand side bar or Contact Us for more information.