Couchsurfers Unite!

Another fun way to donate is to buy an $18 dollar "I couch NY" T shirt. You can do this by emailing us at thepottyproject@gmail.com.

The text of your email should look something like this: "I will give you legal tender equaling the amount of 18 smackeroos ($18) if you make me look super cool with an "I couch NY" T-shirt!"

You will then be the recipient of a cool American Apparel T-shirt and be the envy of all your friends and neighbors just like our models above. T-shirts can be bought/picked up on Thursdays at Revival between 9:30pm and 12am.

Poo slinging is for mokeys not humans!

The beneficiaries of this project are the families living in SANAGMANA relocation project in Tanza, Navotas, Metro Manila. It is considered "The Fishing Capital of the Philippines" because most of its occupants make their living in the fishing trade. At present there are about 140 families living in makeshift and semi-permanent shelters on the site. Most of the families live below the poverty line and cannot afford to build their own toilets; most families dispose of their waste through "wrap and throw," i.e wrapping it in plastic and burying or throwing it away somewhere else, creating a health and environmental hazard. Bathing is often done in public near the community water tank.

What is the proposed project?

The construction of a new and improved public toilet that can accommodate about 100 people per day. This toilet will be built on stilts so it can be used during the rainy season (the site is prone to knee deep flooding), and cement bonded boards for the walls will make the structure resilient agains typhoon winds and corrosive sea air. The use of three-chamber purifying septic tanks made from recycled polyethylene plastic will ensure that sewage is treated properly.

Who is making this happen?

TAO-Pilipinas, Inc., a non-profit organization of architects and planners based in Metro Manila, and SANAGMANA, a federation of urban poor organizations in Navotas who manage the relocation project, are working together to realize this project. A commitee under SANAGMANA will manage the construction while TAO- Pilipinas will supervise and monitor the progress and ensure that funds are well spent.

How much is needed for construction?

About $3500 (P150,000+) is needed to construct the toilet. TAO-Pilipinas and SANAGMANA have raised about $900 (P40,000+) for the project, but $2600 is still needed to complete it. Some materials and labor will be the counterpart of the community.

How will the project be sustained?

The community has agreed to assign maintenance personnel who will collect minimal toll for the use of the toilet for maintenance expenses.

When will this project be implemented?

If funds are adequate, the construction will be started on the third quarter of 2008.

How will my donation be used?

TAO-Pilipinas conducts a number of activities in support of its s four main programs: Human Settlements and Environment Program (design and planning services); Research and Publication (production of educational materials); Education and Training (capacity-building); and Young Professionals Program (volunteer program). Unless otherwise specified by you, TAO-Pilipinas will choose which of these programs to support with your donation.

Can I choose a specific project in the community to support?

Yes, you can contact TAO-Pilipinas if you wish to donate directly to a specific program, project, or component of a project. But a directed donation may be used for other purposes if a project becomes inactive or otherwise ineligible to receive funds.

Can I avail of reports tracking where my donation has been spent?

For general donations you can get a copy of the annual financial report of TAO-Pilipinas to know how donations were allocated.

For direct donations to specific projects, you will receive a progress report every 6 months (if the project duration is more than a year) or an end of project report (if the project duration is less than a year)

Are my donations tax deductible?

Not yet. TAO-Pilipinas is currently applying to be the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) so the Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) can grant donee institution status, enabling donations within the Philippines to the organization to be tax-deductible.





To Donate:

Donate to this project through TAO-Pilipinas. The simplets way is to go to TAO-Pilipinas.org and click "Donate" on the bottom of the left sidebar.

Alternatively, you can go to Paypal and send funds to payment@tao-pilipinas.org. Credit cards are accepted as a form of payment. Paypal transaction fees (about 2.4% to 3.4%) will be deducted from the amount.

Through Check - The check should be payable to TAO - Pilipinas, Inc. Local checks can be hand delivered or mailed to the following address:

TAO - Pilipinas, Inc
27-A Matiyaga St
Bgy. Central, Diliman
1100 Quezon City Phillippines

Checks in dollars from foreign banks (outside the Philippines) should be deposited to the dollar account (below).

Through Bank Transfer - Funds can be transfered to our bank account, with the following details:

For peso deposits:
Bank: China Bank, SM North EDSA Branch, Quezon City
Account Name: TAO-Pilipinas, Inc.
Account Number: 208-074941-5

For dollar deposits:
Bank: Banco de Oro, SM North EDSA Branch, Quezon City
Account Name: TAO-Pilipinas, Inc.
Account Number: 405006245-6
Swift Code: BNOR PHMM

Bank transaction charges will be deducted from the amount. Validated deposit slips should be faxed to (0632) 436-7301 or a scanned image emailed to info@tao-pilipinas.org