Dear Supporter,
We have just reached $1,000 in donations and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to this project. If we don't raise another cent, this amount (and a small commitment from one of our project partners) is enough to provide food packs that can protect and sustain 80 families for 8-10 days in desperate need of support!
Thank you for your generosity and trust.
As a quick update on what we have done to date;
In the next 7 days, we hope to deliver our first food distribution. We are just waiting for support from the local government to help us identify the most in need and help us manage the safety of the community and our volunteers during distribution.
While we would like to have had this from the beginning, it has been very important to us that we have the accountability of the food packs reaching those who need them the most. We do not want anyone selected for any other reason other than the greatest need - and so we have been doing our own assessments of communities in greatest need.
We will keep you updated on our progress all the way through. We also encourage you to follow us on Facebook where we will share key updates from the distribution. You may follow us here - https://www.facebook.com/FundLifeInt/
Looking at our donor list for the first time, it's amazing to see so many donors from all over the world. COVID-19 has caused much havoc around the world, but it has also shown how inspirational people can be when they feel compelled to help one another.
We are deeply grateful for all our old and new friends who are helping us. For those who may not have seen it, I share a letter FundLife released in response to COVID-19. The letter was first published on March 20th through our newsletter
Thank you and stay safe,
Marko
Dear Friends,
These are possibly the most testing times we have collectively endured. It is critical that we come together and not let fear divide us.
The Impact of COVID-19 in the Philippines
On March 10th, the Philippines declared a national emergency, with many schools and non-essential services closing on March 16th for a period of 30 days. Many parts of the Philippines, including Tacloban and Cebu, where we work, are under strict community quarantine. The majority of Airports and Seaports are closed for passenger travel and people are being advised to, wherever possible, stay at home.
As the county fights to contain the spread of COVID-19, our thoughts are with the most vulnerable groups, who sometimes face an impossible choice – go to work to secure a livelihood or stay home, and risk not having any food for their families.
We are especially concerned about the impact COVID-19 will have on the children our programing reaches every week. The interruption to their education and reduction of vital support services will put them at increased risk during the community quarantine period. We are doing all we can to make sure children and their families remain protected while vital services cannot reach them.
Our Response to COVID-19
We are following the advice of health experts and have implemented remote working practises. We have also prepared hygiene education materials for children and have disseminated as much information as we can online. We have created a special fund to support the distribution of Coronavirus education packs and donations of vital medical provisions for front-line healthcare workers and those in underserved communities.
We are in touch with partners about getting COVID-19 test-kits into communities that severely lack them. If you would like to support any of these COVID-19 prevention measures, you may click here.
From tomorrow (March 20th), the country will cease all international flights from Manila. Our entire management and volunteer team have decided to stay put and offer whatever relief we can to some of the Philippines' most unprotected children and families.
Perhaps more than ever before, we need your support to maintain these services that reach those experiencing food, income and protection insecurity.
Message To Our Supporters
Our message is simple – please stand with your own communities and be kind to others, especially to the most vulnerable.
If there is one theme that has emerged from this global pandemic, it is that people need people. The pursuit of professional profit and personal gain does not mean a thing if we do not take care of our communities and look out for each other.
No matter how long we are required to maintain social distancing, let us continue to practise social inclusion, not just as individuals, but as leaders in business and in society.
If you need to reach any of our team, our emails are open and you can reach me on mk@fundlife.org
Stay safe and take care,
Marko Kasic
FundLife
It has been a busy few months! We leave full details below and look forward to some very exciting developments over the coming few weeks!
Here are the last three months in review!
DECEMBER
December just like last year, the Philippines took a hit from two strong typhoons. But, the weather may have gone
cold but the fire in the hearts of the people who continuously support FundLife to provide equal opportunity for
children continued to burn.
In Cebu, with the efforts of Football for Life Academy coaches and support of Guiseppe Football Club, SK Federation
of Cebu City, Gerry’s Grill, Odysseus Rings, Suarez’ Arts, Leylam and Ponce Birthing Clinic the 2nd Capitol Cup was
successfully held at Green Valley Subdivision Capitol Site Cebu City. The event allowed 158 youth from 18 football
community teams all over Cebu to experience competitive and fun football games with the emphasis of fair play and
sportsmanship.
In the southern part of the Philippines, another big celebration was successfully held as we partnered with Gawad
Kalinga to host the 2019 Sama-Sama Games (SSG) – an annual football event at Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
More than 100 youth competed in various categories as part of the event’s promotion on equality and opportunity for
all children especially those who are from disadvantaged communities.
Congratulations to all the winners, and participants and a huge thank you to Gawad Kalinga, its staff and local
partners — MFC and Malaybalay City Sports Development Office for making this event possible.
As 2019 ends the organization takes pride in the success of the children and youth within the program for winning
various school-based sports competitions, achieving academic awards and recognition for embodying sportsmanship,
respect, and self-discipline.
Children celebrate at The FFLA-Cebu Capitol Cup 2019
Such achievements of children within the program does not only proves the effectiveness of the efforts that the local
and foreign volunteer coaches are extending in coaching and educating children not just in sports but also the
essential skills that they need to survive and succeed in their lives as a complement to their formal education.
It’s a wrap!
JANUARY
2019 ended with the achievements of our children and this 2020, FundLife, welcomes the new year with pride as the
Department of Education Tacloban division recognizes the organization as one of its “Outstanding partners” towards
the delivery of effective experiential learning for children and youth. - http://bit.ly/3c2ScYu
The award also recognizes FundLife’s efforts in supporting public school teachers towards effective teaching through
its organized training and workshops centred on the proper use of physical activities and play in engaging with
learners.
Let’s take another prideful shout for the organization as one of its front liners, coach John Paul Masubay brought
home the “Future GA F4D Coach Award” from Doha, Qatar.
Save the best for last!
FundLife formally announced this month the Generation Amazing Community Center Project which will be made
possible with the support from Generation Amazing. http://bit.ly/2I2TOUd
The GACC -The first integrated learning centre for children from displaced communities in Tacloban North is an
initiative led by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.
FEBRUARY
With the support of the Arsenal in the community coaches and German volunteer, Malte Helms children continue to
enjoy their time learning while playing though not in the field but inside their classrooms.
With Cebu nothing, much was changes despite the fear of NCoV. The local coaches in Cebu continued the after
school sessions with the girls in SMS and with children from Banilad and Capitol.
Now that the suspension of the off-campus activities had already been lifted children are again happy to be out in
the field and participate in the football training sessions with their coaches and mentors.
Children gather for the Coppa Leyteno on Feb 8th in Tacloban
That's almost a wrap for November - probably our busiest month of the year with action-packed activities for coaches, players, teachers and the team!
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