Education Philippines Project #14464

To help more street children to help themselves

by Childhope Philippines Foundation, Inc

To help more street children to help themselves

Project Report | Jan 4, 2018
MusiKalye: Harnessing Street Children's Skills in Music

By Fatima Reyes | Resource Mobilization Officer

Street children play the "ukelele

Street children from Childhope Philippines’ areas in Metro Manila stepped up their game as they showcased their talents in singing, dancing, rapping, and many more.

On its second year, MusiKalye challenged the street kids to harness their skills in music and creativity, while at the same time building their character and confidence.

Some of the street children strum the guitar and gave their own take on the songs "Torete," "Your Love," and "Narda...."

While others showed off their modern dance moves. Grooving to the rhythm of the music helps them boost their creativity and passion.

Our street kids also gave their heartfelt renditions to some of the famous "hugot" songs. They were able to reach the money notes with ease and were welcomed with praises from the crowd.

Some of them took on the song "One Day" with the ukelele. You can't help but sway to the melody as the children enjoy playing the instrument.

Street children were also able to express themselves through interpretative dance. Our kids from Morayta and Monumento danced gracefully to share messages of faith, hope, and dreams.

The kids also gave their own twist to 'feel good' music through their mashup of popular songs.

It seemed that our street kids may soon give their idol "Gloc 9" a run for his money. They rapped about hard work, sacrifice, and determination to pursue dreams.

Childhope's very own "Abstract Band" made the crowd cheer. The band is composed of members who harnessed their skills in music through Rock-Ed and Mobile Music School. They have been able to play their own original songs, and perform at a concert.

Nothing beats hearing Christmas Carols from adorable and cute children. Our street children's choir from Ermita serenaded the audience with our favorite Christmas melodies like "Pasko Na Naman," "Feliz Navidad," and "Christmas in our hearts."

Before the event, our street children were able to guest and sing for three radio stations to promote and encourage support for the endeavor.

For an episode of DZAS "Unlimited Inspirations," the street children sang four songs and gave listeners a taste of what's in store in MusiKalye.

At DZMM, street educator Isko and a former participant of the mobile music school, Ricky, introduced the event to listeners and encouraged them to join the children in celebrating children's month with the gift of music.

For an episode of DZRH "Boses ng Kabataan," the street children shared their stories of hope and how they were able to develop their skills and became more inspired to pursue their dreams through the mobile music school.

Street children sing popular songs

Street children show off modern dance moves

Interpretative dance by street children

The Abstract Band makes the crowd cheer

Street children sing Christmas carols

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Oct 9, 2017
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING: FROM LEARNING TO EMPLOYMENT

By Fatima Reyes | Resource Mobilization Officer

Empowerment through skills training

A fast-food worker’s job can be as difficult as it can get. It requires skills and patience to overcome the day to day challenges that come with the work. Besides the physical stress, workers also go through a lot of emotional dilemma because of discrimination and abuse.

Despite the hardships, three beneficiaries of Childhope’s Vocational/Technical (VocTech) Skills Training project still find their jobs as rewarding and fulfilling. More than anything, it has opened up opportunities for them to lead better lives.

Marston, Ramil, and Ariel earn a living from being service crew at fast food chains and restaurants in Manila. The three are all in their early 20s. They started out as street children with no direction in life, and just survived daily through begging, selling, and most of the time, luck.

“They were street kids who were dirty, hungry, desperate, neglected, and without proper guidance from adults. To escape from life’s harsh realities, they got into sniffing solvent,” said Christian, facilitator of the Voc Tech project.

Even though there were many uncertainties, Childhope saw potentials in the three street kids. “We give a chance for every child,” Christian said.

EMPOWERMENT THROUGH SKILLS TRAINING

Childhope’s street educators and social workers reached out to Marston, Ramil, and Ariel through the Street Education Program. They came from different areas in Metro Manila --- Kalaw, Sucat, and Divisoria, respectively.

The street educators engaged them in alternative education that involved lessons on basic health and hygiene, values, and child rights and responsibilities. The sessions also involve counselling --- social workers help street children to realize the consequences of being addicted to vices.

It was difficult to get the street children’s attention at first, but street educators and social workers are motivated to help the children to find a sense of purpose. Soon, they saw Marston, Ramil, and Ariel’s potentials to do well in skills training.

“The three were not pretty good in academics, but they had a strong set of skills and desire to help their families. We decided to develop their abilities in hotel and restaurant services,” Christian said.

Under the VocTech 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.

HOPE FOR A BETTER LIFE

More than financial support, the project aims to empower street children so they can have a positive outlook in life. Step-by-step, the street children are able to support their families and earn income for their basic needs. Slowly, they are able to have goals and are more motivated to achieve their dreams.

Ramil, for instance, used to run away from his home in Laguna. He then lived at a makeshift house along the railroad tracks in Sucat, Metro Manila. Days went by and he struggled to survive through sniffing solvent and being with his peers.

But through the street education sessions and training under the VocTech project, he found his way back home. After finishing his training and after some unsuccessful attempts, he was able to land a job at McDonald’s. The struggles honed him and helped build his confidence, and pushed him to work harder. He was even awarded Best Employee in September 2016.

Through his determination, Ramil was able to put up a simple sari-sari store business for his mother. His earnings and savings over time also gave him the opportunity to pay it forward. He is now able to help his nephews and nieces by funding their schooling.

Ramil has been with McDonald’s for six years now, and he is inspired more than ever to help his family and to save for the future.

Ariel, for his part, earns a living from being a service crew member at a hotel in Makati City. Ariel used to live near a railroad track in Binondo, Divisoria but through his earnings, he was able to rent a home for him and his family. He is focused on his work but still dreams of going back to school to finish his studies.

Marston is also a service crew member at Chowking in Sta. Mesa, Manila. From being a solvent addicted boy in Kalaw, Manila, he is now focused on doing his best at what he does. Through his efforts, Marston and his family were able to rent and stay at a house in Kalaw, Manila.

Starting out was hard for Marston because he experienced being bullied. He persevered through the challenge and kept an optimistic mindset. Marston dreams of becoming a seaman someday so he can better support his family.

Marston, Ramil, and Ariel still have a long way to go, but they take hold of opportunities that come their way and make the most out of these. They are using the skills they learned under the VocTech project to earn income and help themselves and their families. More importantly, they want to pursue lives away from the streets to carve a better future ahead.

Empowerment through skills training

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Jul 17, 2017
From street to school: Daughter of 'buko' vendor finishes college

By Fatima Reyes | Resource Mobilization Officer

Street child finishes college through perseverance

Arlene has not yet lived in a place she can call her own home. She has been used to staying on the streets and open spaces around Metro Manila.

What keeps Arlene going is her positive outlook and determination. Her circumstances did not stop her from actively pursuing a good education.

Now, she makes her family proud as a college graduate with a degree in Human Resource and Operations Management from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.

“Kahit sobrang walang wala ka, dapat maghold ka sa dreams na makakatapos. Buksan mo ang sarili mo sa mga opportunities (Even without money, you should hold on to your dreams of finishing school. Open yourself up to opportunities),” Arlene said.

SEARCHING FOR HOME

The 21-year old recalls her early days living with her family at a parking lot near the CCP Complex in Pasay City. Arlene’s parents did not have stable jobs, and at a young age, she had to help sell goods in a cart to earn for the family. Things got worse when their makeshift home at the parking lot was demolished by police.

“Napunta po ako sa isang center para sa mga bata. Pero tumakas po ako at hinanap ko po yung pamilya ko sa kalye (I was brought to a center for abandoned children. But I managed to escape and find my way back to my family on the streets),” said Arlene.

As the eldest of three siblings, Arlene knew early on that she had to be strong for her family. Her father found a small room for rent along Roxas Boulevard. But they were also asked to leave because her father had arguments with the caretaker. It seems Arlene and her family were not lucky in looking for a place to stay.

But they persevered while on the streets. Arlene’s father sold ‘buko’ (coconuts) in a cart and walked along Roxas Boulevard. The caretaker of the warehouse where the coconuts are stored took pity on Arlene and her family.

“Naawa sa amin yung caretaker kaya pinarenta niya yung likod ng bahay niya sa amin. May natutuluyan na kami (The caretaker allowed us to rent a small place behind his home for a cheap price. Finally, we had a place to stay in),” Arlene said.

LEARNING AND SURVIVING

Even without a permanent home, Arlene was able to learn and go to school. She joined Childhope’s alternative education sessions around Manila. She was drawn to the program because she was fascinated by the street educators and their teachings. Also, the street children are given free food during the sessions.

“Nung una, saling pusa lang ako. Pero bigla na lang lagi na akong nag-attend ng sessions. Yung mga natutunan nagagamit ko sa buhay. Nalaman ko yung karapatan at responsibilidad ko, at natutunan kong pangalagaan ang aking kalusuguan (At first, I was joining the sessions inactively. But I found myself taking the lessons and applying them in everyday life. I learned about my rights and responsibilities as a child, and I learned how to take care of my health,” said Arlene.

Soon, Arlene was leading other street children by becoming a Junior Health Worker. Childhope trained her how to treat wounds through First Aid, and how to help other street children to practice proper hygiene and basic health care. Through Childhope, she was able to develop her potentials.

“Dahil po naging active ako sa mga activities, at sa kagustuhan kong makatapos, awa po ng Diyos at naging beneficiary po ako ng Educational Assistance Program. Sa tulong po ng mga sponsors, nagkaroon po ako ng pagasa na makakatapos ng pagaaral (Through my active participation in the activities, my desire to go to college, and with God’s mercy, I became a beneficiary of Childhope’s Educational Assistance Program. With the help of generous donors, I found hope that I will be able to finish school),” said Arlene.

PERSEVERING THROUGH CHALLENGES

Arlene eventually went to college. With the outpour of opportunities came the non-stop challenges. Sometimes, the family and financial problems were too much.

“Minsan po wala talagang kinita at isang basong kape lang ang pinagsasaluhan namin sa buong araw. Minsan yung natirang kanin ng kapitbahay na binibigay sa amin, yun na yung ginagawa naming sangag sa gabi (Sometimes, when we really had no money, we had to make do with sharing one glass of coffee to last us throughout the day. Sometimes, our good neighbors would give us left over rice and we would use this as fried rice for dinner,” Arlene said.

But Arlene chose not to give up. She used the challenges, and the sacrifices of her parents as motivation to work even harder. Arlene says she couldn’t have done it without a support system.

“Hanggat may gustong tumulong sa iyo, kunin mo at pagbutihin mo ang pagkakataon. Pero huwag mong hintaying bumagsak sa yo ang mga blessings. Kailangan maging aggressive sa pagtupad ng pangarap (As long as there are people willing to help, grab and make the most out of opportunities. But don’t wait for blessings to pour. You have to be aggressive in chasing your dreams),” Arlene said.

It is this drive that keeps Arlene set on achieving her goals to give her family a permanent home, and ensure a better future for them.

Encouraging street children to dream, hope

Junior Health Workers assist in basic health care

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