Is it okay to see the slums and do a slum tour in Metro Manila or not?

What is a slum tour?

• The slum tour in Metro Manila is a socral (social cultural) tour.
• You will get an insight in the daily lives of many Filipinos.
• It will lead to broadening of horizons, and people will get an insight into how life is for others and think about their own life.
• You might have seen poor people in the slums on television, but it is different to actually see the slums, to hear the noises, talk to a person from the slums, and smell the area. It is a totally different experience; it is not for the fainthearted.
• It is a good idea to do this with a tour leader from the slums, so safety is guaranteed.

• What you get out of it depends totally on yourself.
• Many people, after the tour, are more conscious about their own lives, more grateful, and they carry this experience with them for a long time.
• The world is seen through different glasses, and that leads in many cases to possitive change.

What is in it for the people from the slums?

• When you do a tour with Smokey Tours done by Blessed the Children Foundation, you will do the original slum tour, the only original one in Metro Manila.
• The slum tour has started with the help of the original slum tour foundation in Mumbai from Reality Tours and travel.
• One of the pointers is that the tour leaders will develop their talent; for example by turning up in time for appointments and by speaking English, they will become an example in their family for their children and communities.
• The money earned by the tour leaders is a fair pay for the tour leaders, and projects are done in the communities. 

• Bring your common-sense and open mind, and above all leave all your valuables at home.