MANILA, Philippines – With much festivity and excitement, Childhope Philippines opened the 2019 Hope Sports Festival participated in by its street children beneficiaries, street educators, and volunteers last April 23, 2019.
About 222 street children filled the halls of the Canonigo Covered Court, wearing their designated uniforms, representing 6 teams, and take part in competitions in a number of sports such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, and futkal (street soccer).
Dubbed as Hope Sports Festival, this yearly tradition is part of the skills development project organized by Childhope Philippines to promote the spirit of teamwork and sportsmanship among its street children beneficiaries. Moreover, the activity aims to develop their sports skills and talents and to teach them important values in pursuing their goals and passions.
The celebration was started by a festive team parade followed by reciting of the prayer and singing of National Anthem. President Emeritus and founder of Childhope Philippines Ms. Terista Silva made her remark to formally open the celebration.
Silva said that a friendly competition will help instill discipline and build team spirit among the street children participants.
“The games will help improve morale and promote the over-all being of the participants”, Silva underscored.
The 5-day sports celebration was successfully run –off.
Championship games such were then set off and facilitated by the Childhope’s staff and volunteers.
(View the list of this year’s Hope SportsFest champions and runner up here) https://www.facebook.com/pg/ChildhopeAsiaPhilippines/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1592896987510309
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MANILA, Philippines –Aiming to build capacities for better understanding and delivery of alternative education sessions, fifteen (15) Childhope Philippines Street Educators participated in the three-day Skills For Life Training-Workshop last March 2019.
The Skills for Life training is basically designed for a systematic and comprehensive positive youth development and prevention material for young people and teaches life and citizenship skills within a safe, caring and consistent environment.
The said training-workshop will provide the Street Educators with the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to enable them to conductthe Skills for Life moduleswhich are part of the alternative education sessions among street children and youth participants of the program.
Among the topics discussed were as follows: (1) carrying out skills assessments, (2) discussing individual goals with street children, (3) designing learning programs to suit their needs and abilities, (4) preparing teaching materials, (5) using a range of resources such as worksheets and computer softwares, (6) delivering individual and group teaching sessions, (7) proper record-keeping, and (8) guiding and supporting learning support assistants and volunteers.
“Practical training is needed by Street Educators like us to gain confidence in our work of teaching and providing individual support for disadvantaged learnerslike the street children and youth we teach, particularly related to communication, problem solving, literacy, attitude and resilience”, said Elton Adan, one of the Street Educators who participated.
“The training program should be focused on helping the Street Educators to develop their learners’ positive attitudes based on the skills they have. Also, raising street children’s independence and nurturing the personal development require a teacher training for developing self management, study skills and self-assessment” explained Ms. Eileen Dizon, facilitator and resource speaker for the training-workshop.
The Skills For Life Training-Workshop is made possible through a capacity-building grant from the Leger Foundation.
MANILA, Philippines – Eleven participants of Childhope Philippines’ Vocational – Technical Skills Training Project graduated along with other youths from Manila Manpower Development Center (MMDC), December 10, 2018 at the Bulwagan ng Maynila in Manila City Hall.
Nearly 300 graduates attended the ceremony and received their certificate of accomplishment.
The VocTech Project, a partnership between Childhope Philippines, ACC21 and Citi Philippines aims to provide opportunities for better employment among out-of-school-youth, ages 16-20 years old, living and working in the streets of Metro Manila.
The said participants trained on food and beverages services, massage and wellness, and basic grooming and cosmetology. They have completed 6 months training with subsequent on-the-job training in one of the known hotels in Manila.
JayJay Masa, a 20-year old project participant, was emotional during the ceremony while watching his fellow graduates receiving their certificates.
“Sa loob ng naranasan kong hirap at sa pagtitiyaga ko, mayroon kami napatunayan na mayroon pang pag asa para sa amin,” Masa said during the interview. (With hard work and patience, we have proven that there is still hope for us.)
“Halos lahat po ng trabahong kalye ay nasubukan ko na. Mahirap po dahil hindi permanente ang ganun trabaho. Minsan kulang pa kinikita namin para magkaroon ng makakain. Kaya malaking tulong po ang VocTech para sa amin. Magkakaroon na po ng maayos na trabaho para sa amin na matatawag namin tunay na propesyon,” he added. (I think almost of the street work I know, I have already tried. It’s really difficult because the work is not permanent. Sometimes we do not earn enough to have something to eat. VocTech is a great help for us. We will have a chance for a better that we can call a real profession)
Meanwhile, Manila City Mayor Hon. Joseph Estrada and the Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) head Ms. Nenita Tanyag graced the ceremony and provided some loot bags for all the graduates.
“You are about to encounter new and different challenges. You have developed skills, both academically and in trade. You have matured, and you have what it takes to move forward in whatever directions you choose,” Ms. Tanyag told the graduates.
Under the Vocational-Technical Skills Training Project, street children are taught to live independently and responsibly. They attend sessions on values, skills for life, and financial education. They undergo on-the-job training and practice the value of saving.
Childhope Philippines, ACC21 and Citi Philippines aim to raise street children’s confidence and character. The street children are able to support their family needs, while also working on their goals and achieving their dreams.
“Gawin nating instrumento ang kasalukuyang katayuan natin para maabot natin ang kanya-kanyang layunin natin sa buhay.” (Let us use our present state as an instrument to reach for our future goals in life.)
These were the words of Ms. Lovi Poe as she gives an inspirational talk to the street children participants and guests during Childhope Philippines’ MusiKalye 2018: A Showcase of Talents by RockEd-Mobile Music School Participants, held at Adamson University, November 17.
Ms. Poe is revealed during the event as the organization’s newest Ambassador of Hope, taking on the personal advocacy and commitment to help uplift the lives of street children through campaigning for children’s rights, especially for education, health and welfare.
“Marami na po akong na kilalang tao mula sa iba’t ibang antas ng pamumuhay, na natalikuran ng pag-asa. Ngunit ang Childhope ay nandyan upang (muling) buhayin ang pag-asang iyon,” she added. (I have known people from all walks of life who have lost hope. Childhope is here to bring back hope in their lives.)
She says she is very happy that with Childhope Philippines, she found an organization with the same principles and advocacy as hers.
“We are very humbled and honored to welcome Ms. Lovi Poe to the Childhope Philippines family as our Ambassador of Hope. She is truly an inspiration to the children, and she has been actively doing charity works and advocating for children’s welfare with us for the past few years,” said Dr. Herbert Quilon Carpio, Executive Director.
“She never had any second thoughts when we asked her if she would be our ambassador. She believes in our mission and her heart goes out to the street children,” added Ms. Mylene Lagman, the organization’s Resource Mobilization and Communications Manager.
Ms. Poe ended her speech reminding the children not to lose hope because people who faced hardships in order to achieve their dreams are the ones who have good life stories to tell.
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Childhope Philippines continuously provides skills training to the underprivileged youth and their families to enable them to earn for independent living and provide a sustainable pathway out from staying and living on the streets.
Under its banner program, the Street Education and Protection Program (STEPP), the Vocational - Technical Skills Training Project for street youth gives opportunities to develop their skills, build their character and confidence, in the hope of finding a decent job to earn income to support themselves and their families.
Moreover, the goal of this project is to tap local experts in different skill areas which are in demand in the community. Among them are car washing, hotel and restaurant services, housekeeping, massage therapy, and cosmetology.
Recently, a training on silk-screen printing was conducted wherein 14 number of street youth participated. Facilitated by Mr. John Baybayin, one of Childhope’s street educators and Voc-Tech Skills Trainer, the silk screen printing course introduced a new skill to the participants, which will enable them to earn money.
“Aside from sharing my expertise to them, I want them to learn the importance of what they are doing. It is important that they derive inspiration to persevere from their own families, and for themselves.” Baybayin said.
“These children do not have the opportunity to enter or finish school. That’s is why Childhope pursues this project, because we see that it will be a great help for them to find a good and decent job. And if they find good jobs, they can help their families. The important thing here is that they find their purpose in life. They make their passion their profession,” said Allan Bantasan, Voc-Tech Skills Training Project Coordinator.
All efforts made by Childhope for the street children are visible and sustainable. Childhope envisions a world where street children can reach their full potential so they could get the life they wanted and able to inspire others as well.
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