A glimpse into the Salvation Army

Manila, Philippines - We’ve seen it outside supermarkets and department stores at Christmastime  a red kettle hanging from a tripod accompanied by an attendant, at times dressed in Santa’s red suit or wearing the Salvation Army uniform, ringing a bell to attract passersby to drop a donation in the trademark red kettle. It is said that this popular holiday scene inspired the Christmas carol Silver Bells. We’ve seen it depicted in movies and even in a comic episode of Mr. Bean. The street fundraising campaign, which is part of their Red Shield Appeal, is perhaps what the Salvation Army is most known for.

The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 by a minister, William Booth, and his wife, Catherine, with the mission “to reach out to the homeless and destitute in the streets of London.” It has since spread out to 124 countries around the world.

This year, the Salvation Army in the Philippines is celebrating its 75th anniversary.

The Salvation Army is both an international evangelical church and charitable organization with a quasi-military structure.  The mission is not so much to propagate faith as it is to serve people.

“Our social work flows out of our Christian faith,” says commissioner Barry C. Swanson, current chief of staff of the Salvation Army.

Based at the international headquarters in London, he was a recent visitor to Manila for the 75th-anniversary celebration, together with his wife, commissioner E. Sue Swanson, world president of Women’s Ministries.

The Salvation Army established its first outpost in the Philippines in Del Pan in Tondo, Manila, “to minister to the spiritual and temporal needs of depressed persons in the area.”  Major Miguel Tandayag explains, “Our activities include the establishment of social service centers and provision of social welfare programs in various communities.”  

There are now more than 100 centers all over the Philippines, from as far north as Laoag to as far south as General Santos. The Salvation Army is registered as a charitable institution and works closely with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Among its earliest ministries was the care of sexually abused girls, who have found refuge at their halfway house, the Bethany Children’s Home in Quezon City.  They have also provided a home for street children from Manila at the Joyville Children’s Home in Tanay, where they also have their Officers Training College for volunteers who serve in the Salvation Army. Children from poor families have also benefited from the financial support and scholarships they have extended. A young girl from Cebu who was a beneficiary of the scholarship program since she was in elementary is now a nurse, Major Tandayag relates.

Since the country is often devastated by natural disasters, the Salvation Army extends relief assistance to victims of calamities such as those brought about by the devastating typhoon Sendong, the landslide in Quezon, and the earthquake in Negros early this year.

“We work with the local barangays,” says Colonel Lalzamlova, territorial commander of the Salvation Army Philippine Territory, which has its headquarters in Leon Guinto, Malate, in Manila.

“Believing that communities should be self-reliant, the Salvation Army provides its beneficiaries income-generating activities such as livestock raising, micro-lending enterprises, fishing boat livelihood projects, as well as skills that they can use for sustainable employment,” Major Tandayag relates. “Ten fisher-folk families in San Francisco, Southern Leyte, were given pump boats to help them in their livelihood, while two villages were built to provide housing for informal settlers in Cebu.”

The Salvation Army in the Philippines hopes to promote self reliance, not only among its beneficiaries but also for itself, so that it is not dependent upon other countries for funding. Aside from the Christmas Kettling campaign, it also raises funds through its thrift store at its headquarters in Leon Guinto, which receives donations both locally and from abroad. It is the original ukay-ukay, long before the concept became popular.

Commissioner Swanson has high expectations for the Salvation Army in the Philippines. The young volunteers whom he met during his visit encouraged him; he describes them as “a dynamic army, energetic, enthusiastic.” Its doors are open to everyone with the desire and willingness to help.  To give of your time, talent or treasure, you don’t even have to wait for Christmas.