Provide primary health care for street children

During a pandemic, preserving, protecting and promoting a child’s right to adequate food is, and must be, a priority for everyone. Without adequate nutrition children will be at increased risk of falling ill and in the worst case at risk of dying from starvation.

Homelessness and hunger are two persistent realities in the lives of children that often go hand in hand. For the close to 50,000 children who experience homelessness across Metro Manila, hunger is one of the many challenges they face that affect their ability to learn and thrive. The starvation of homeless children became more rampant when COVID-19 pandemic occurred wherein their family’s livelihood or earning a living through activities on the streets were restricted.

Childhope PH was keenly observing and following the situation of children on the streets. They noted a surge of messages on their social media page, informing them of the status of their beneficiaries, their needs, and fears. Food security is one of the three primary concerns among our beneficiaries arose.

“When COVID-19 hit, we had to completely shift the way we operate in order to continue serving street children who are among the most vulnerable in our community while working to limit the spread of the virus,” said Ms. Quinto, Assistant Executive Director of Childhope Philippines.

With a firm resolve, the Childhope Philippines Team unanimously agreed to act on the call of their beneficiaries.  And so, only after 5 days of suspension of operations, they returned to the frontlines—responding to the most pressing needs of our clientele.

Childhope Philippines is working with its partners, local and abroad, across the Philippines to provide food and essentials to hundreds of children who are homeless or at-risk children and its families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Springboard Foundation was there to help meet the needs of the organization by supplying 600 Manna pack rice.

“The donation of Manna pack rice from Springboard Foundation has allowed the Childhope Philippines to make 100 meals per distribution day. We’re working on 14 areas in Metro Manila to deliver food, hygiene supplies, and educational materials to children who are unsheltered,” Quinto added.

Another Childhope Philippines active sponsors, Ms. Chua and her friends provides nearly 600 cooked meals and hundreds of food packs. “Helping from partners like Childhope has been critical as we work to meet the growing needs of street families in Manila,” said Ms. Chua, Childhope long-time sponsor. “COVID-19 has made a profound impact on our community and the food and beverages we received has allowed us to continue to serve those who have been impacted.” She added.

To date, Childhope Philippines has distributed 1,350 food packs with 876 cooked meals from January 2021 to May 2021 to its street children and youth beneficiaries who have been greatly affected by COVID-19.

“Childhope Philippines is taking action to ensure street children and their families aren't forgotten. We understand that many people are facing unexpected challenges, and we are working diligently with our corporate and community partners to ensure that as needs rise, street children and their families continue to receive the food and supplies they need,” said Dr. Carpio, Childhope Philippines Executive Director.

Street children need champions. Will you be one?

One donation has TWICE the impact this month. Our partner, GlobalGiving, will match donations of $100 USD and up in any of our GlobalGiving projects on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, starting at 9 a.m. ET. The higher the amount, the higher the match while funds last!

Mark the date on your calendar to DONATE so keep street children safe, healthy and educated and get funds matched.

Aside from the food relief distribution and hygiene kits, we also aim to strengthen our primary health care initiatives, carried out under our primary health care services provided by the mobile health clinic. This includes free medical consultations and assistance for those who may need hospitalization. Moreover, health education is also an intrinsic part of the holistic solution that the organization has been doing for the past years--this time focusing more on understanding the Covid19 illness and how to prevent from being infected.

Childhope Philippines’ recovery plan for its beneficiaries to help prevent and slow the spread of coronavirus includes the following:

1. Provision of psychosocial interventions, especially counseling and mental health awareness

As most beneficiaries have fear from uncertainty and other emotional and mental stress brought about by their experiences during this pandemic, our social workers have a great role to perform in counseling and mental health awareness-raising. They will continue their work on the streets and online.

2. Primary health care learning sessions

Online sessions on primary health care, particularly in understanding Covid19, are conducted by street educators. This also includes hygiene and prevention practices in order to help curb the spread of the illness. Children participants are given mobile load credits which they can use for the live online sessions delivered by the street educators at a specified time. The children often use mobile phones which are borrowed from their parents or relatives during these sessions.

3. Medical consultations

Clinical consultations are made via telemedicine and face-to-face consultations coordinated by social workers with the KliniKalye (mobile health clinic) medical doctor. Medicines are dispensed to beneficiaries through their respective street educators.

In order to carry out these plans, Childhope Philippines commits to continue raising funds, calling for donations and forming partnerships with different stakeholders. If you are encouraged by the work we are doing, please do consider sharing the project with your network, and if your circumstances allow, please consider making an additional gift. We will continue to keep you informed about the work we are doing and the impact your donation is having.