MANILA, Philippines — One cannot walk the streets of Metro Manila and not come face to face with poverty. You will see beggars asking for alms, families living on sidewalks, elderly with crutches approaching cars stuck in traffic for spare change, and young children peddling anything from sampaguita to peanuts to small toys for cash toward their next meal.
As you see their tattered clothing and grimy faces, one can’t help but ask: Is there hope for these men, women, and children to escape poverty?
Germinating seeds of hope
More than 30 years ago, that sad state brought individuals from different agencies to establish Childhope International. Their mission was to address the plight of children in need of special protection, particularly children living on the streets.
Three years later, they set up a regional office for Asia in Manila to facilitate networking and collaboration among agencies working for street children in the region. That same year, Childhope International became Childhope Asia and launched programs ranging from outreach to protection to education on the streets, tackling the urgent needs of Manila’s marginalized children. In 2013, Childhope Asia became known as Childhope Philippines Foundation Inc., aptly so to show its focus on streamlining programs and services for Filipino street children.
Three decades of hope
This year, Childhope Philippines marked its 30th anniversary, and the children under its care took center stage in a celebration showcasing their talents in arts and music.
Themed “Helping Street Children’s Dreams Come True”, the non-profit also took the opportunity to recognize its partners and stakeholders in sharing its mission to make a positive impact in the lives of the street children.
There is much to celebrate after 30 years, according to the President and trustee Sherwin O. “We have witnessed how our street children have grown out of their dirt-covered faces into contributors to society and even registered social workers now helping other street children.”
He added that through their flagship Street Education Program, they have helped thousands of children through the years, “pulling them away from harm and giving them a much better chance at a brighter future.”
In thanking donors and welcoming beneficiaries, he was joined by Childhope Philippines’ founder and long-time president Teresita Silva and Vice Chairman and trustee Samuel Guevarra.
Childhope Philippines’ annual MusiKalye affair, usually held on National Children’s Month, doubled as the non-profit’s anniversary celebrations.
Art lovingly crafted by the street children, ranging from sandpaper paintings, chain beads and accessories, greeting cards, and many more were put on sale, to raise funds for various programs including alternative basic education, counseling, relief and material assistance, and primary health services for about 500 street children all over Metro Manila.
Over 100 street children later showcased their talents in singing, dancing, rapping and playing musical instruments. For the first time, MusiKalye also exposed the acting talents of the street kids, where they symbolically portrayed their current situation and their rights as children.
Donors from the country and overseas also showed their support including Duestche Bank Singapore, Australia-based Transurban Co., and International School Manila. Childhope Philippines also recognized 10 companies with the Hero of Hope award for active participation in its many volunteer-led activities.
O also acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor. “The values of Childhope that have made it possible to sustain its operations and its advocacy for 30 years is largely due to the leadership of Ms. Teresita Silva. She has dedicated her life to helping street children. Her passion and love for street children is very infectious and have led to the numerous partners that have supported Childhope through the years.”
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As part of Childhope Philippines’ mission to empower youth in street situations, Childhope sparks and nurtures the entrepreneurial spirit inside youth and provides them with concrete skills and experience to succeed in the jobs of tomorrow.
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.
Recently, training in fabric detergent making, dishwashing soap making, and perfume making was conducted wherein fourteen (14) street youth participated. Facilitated by Ms. Loida Ramos Buhian, one of Childhope’s staff and Voc-Tech Skills Trainer, the said trainings introduced new skills to the new batch of participants, which will enable them to create their own business and earn money.
“Through Voc-Tech Project, street youths gain first-hand experience starting and operating a successful business, from creating a business plan, through development, to taking their product to market.” Ms. Buhian said.
“My experience with this kind of business trainings had a profound impact on my thinking toward business. Importantly, this experience gave me a solid foundation and confidence to create my own business”, street youth Jay said.
As an important part of the solution to equip today’s youth, Childhope Philippines will continuously provide 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.
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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.
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