ICM: About Us
ICM has been serving the very poor in the slums of the Philippines since 1992. Working on the islands of Negros, Bohol and Mindanao, ICM comes alongside people who live in desperate circumstances. Most of our beneficiaries subsist on less than US$0.15 per day, live without clean water or sewerage, and suffer from malnutrition and its related illnesses. ICM’s unique approach is to partner with the existing infrastructure of the local Christian church that is found in most slum communities. By providing numerous programs which address the real needs of those living in poverty, ICM empowers these local pastors and their congregations to tangibly share the message of God’s love within their communities.
ICM employs nearly 150 local Filipino staff, most of whom come from the same environment as those they are serving. Without an external resource-consuming executive structure, virtually all contributions go directly to those providing services in the Philippines. ICM is a registered charity in the Philippines, Hong Kong and the USA.
ICM’s partnership with the local slum church forms the backbone of all its programs. These churches usually are, at best, struggling to even exist but they often represent the only institutional support structure within the slum environment. These small congregations provide hope, and, to the extent possible, support for very poor families and single mothers struggling to survive in the slums. Supported by the offerings of very poor people, fewer resources than necessary are available to actively meet the needs of the people in the community. ICM’s role is to empower these local congregations to actively share the message of God’s love with those in their communities by providing programs which help alleviate the most serious problems faced by those living in poverty.
Programs
Most of ICM's beneficiaries subsist on less than US$0.15 per day, live without clean water or sewage, and suffer from malnutrition and its related illnesses. ICM's unique approach is to partner with the existing infrastructure of the local Christian church that is found in most slum communities to share God's love and grace through the programs below.
Feeding Programs:
A common struggle of families in poverty is the constant challenge of finding food for proper nutrition. Click here to learn about ICM's efforts to help meet some of these needs.
Livelihood Programs:
While important, providing food and medical care is not a permanent solution to the consequences of poverty; the livelihood program seeks to equip recipients with job skills to become self-sufficient.
Church Empowerment
In addition to meeting specific material needs, ICM has several programs to empower the work of local churches who share God's love and grace with their communities.
Medical Programs:
The ICM medical program provides healthcare services to those who are unable, through lack of knowledge or funds, to seek this assistance from the Philippine healthcare system.
Programs for Women and Children:
Children are often the most affected by poverty. ICM runs several programs to address the special needs of children at risk.
who are we?
International Care Ministries is called to release the poorest of the poor in the Philippines from spiritual, emotional and physical bondage.
