To help more street children to help themselves

The reporting period covers the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2022-2023, wherein the target for this implementation period would be 20 youth participants; however, during the implementation period in identifying youth enrollees- nearly 23 youth were identified for referral in the project- but unfortunately only 12 youth attended the general orientation, due to conflict schedules of some and unable to attend the orientation- however, those who did not attend the orientation were scheduled during the first session under the Skills for Life.

I. Orientation of the Project Bamboo

Only 12 youth participants attended the November 18, 2022 orientation at Museo Pambata, where the policies and guidelines for project implementation were discussed. As part of the project's policy, they also completed their profile and signed their commitment waiver. Their designated teachers or social workers were also signed as support and counterparts to assist in the monitoring and progress of our youth participants.

II. Skills for Life Sessions

The Skills for Life sessions are part of the preliminary activities, in which the street youth participants were taught how to familiarize themselves and communicate effectively with one another through various topics, as well as guided sessions on exploring their journey to self-learning and understanding their strengths and weaknesses.

Furthermore, these sessions allowed participants to freely share their personal life experiences while also learning from others. "Self-awareness," "Interpersonal Relationships," "Critical Thinking and Problem Solving," and "Conflict Resolution, Coping with Emotions in a Positive Way" are the main topics covered in sessions.

The SFL sessions also reminded the street youth participants of how they can prepare for any life challenge while remaining strong, firmly, and peacefully living their own life with their family. They were able to openly share their life experiences and challenges as a result of their realizations.

Only 15 street youth attended and completed the six sessions of Skills for Life, which took place from December 1 to 5, 20223 at Museo Pambata in Manila.

III. Financial Literacy

This session focused on how to budget their income and expenses wisely, as well as how to save money in order to have their own savings. These sessions were held over two half-day sessions, and 14 street youth participants completed the Financial Literacy sessions successfully.

During the sessions, some of the street youth shared their experiences with saving money, but they admittedly did not know how to track their earnings. So, during the sessions, the facilitator also discussed the myths and facts about savings, reminding them that saving and investing are still important.

IV. Entrepreneurship

This Entrepreneurship session included 13 youth participants who learned about topics such as Business Management Strategy, How to Make a Business Plan, Marketing 101, Online Platform Marketing Strategy, and how to understand the benefits and drawbacks of running a small business. The main goal of this session is to emphasize the significance of doing business and how it can generate income.

The discussion took place in the form of a workshop, allowing the youth participants to interact with their peers. The facilitator also talked about how to create an effective business plan. However, the street youth expressed that creating a business plan is difficult, especially if they do not have enough money to get started. This is where the topic of microfinance institutions was introduced, as well as how they can use their services to start their own businesses.

V. Values Formation

Ms. Pana facilitated the session, which was held in a full-day training that combined the two groups of participants to avoid conflicts in schedule particularly for those who are still working while participating in the project. A total of nine youth participants attended the values formation session held at the Childhope Foundation headquarters. The session covered spiritual and relational values toward others, family communication, and developing moral values and right behavior. The youth participants noticed how important the values session was, where the facilitator discussed the importance of humility and faith in depth.

Following the session, the street youth participants enjoyed the short Christmas program organizd by Childhope Philippines. They felt more Christmas spirit because there was a gift-giving activity which Childhope’s corporate volunteers prepared some items and groceries for them. The Christmas celebration is very timely and relevant in their values formation session, emphasizing the importance of humility, forgiveness, and sharing.

Plans for next quarter:

• MMDC Facilities will be open for the next fiscal year for the next batch, and we will coordinate their training facilities to ensure upgraded changes and policies.
• YEG Plan for the coming year 2023- activities and schedule for discussion and coordination for potential training, with a focus on the KDCI organization and ACTION.
• Coordination (update) to our PSIs to confirm and communicate the most recent update to those youth who have not attended the previous series of learning sessions.

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Along with the government, Childhope Philippines, a non-government organization, creates initiatives to uphold, protect, and promote the welfare of children’s rights, particularly children in the streets. To help improve the quality of life for those in the low-income sector, one of their methods is to offer any form of assistance, especially to the family of their beneficiaries through their program Childhope Philippines Livelihood Assistance Program, or CHAP.

The Story of Obana Family

One of the many beneficiaries of Childhope Philippines is Josie, a 39-year-old solo parent to three children. All of her children have different fathers, and no one offered her any spousal support, especially financially. This resulted to Josielyn having to raise the children by herself.

Since their source of livelihood was affected by the global pandemic, the responsibilities she was already carrying alone became even greater. She had no idea, though, that the place where she had watched her children’s hopes and dreams fade would one day become their beacon of hope.

While working as a street vendor in front of LRT 1- Central Station near Universidad de Manila, she met Childhope Philippines social workers, who convinced her two kids to attend their learning sessions on the streets and later become beneficiaries. Since her children are active Childhope participants, Josielyn was able to take part in the livelihood program. This gave access to the livelihood training, seminars, and all the help she and her children are receiving from the organization, in addition to the financial aid and grocery packages given to her family. Additionally, Childhope keeps molding her kids into more respectable, goal-oriented people.

Her gratitude to the brim, Josielyn reflects in Filipino, “Malaking tulong ang Childhope dahil hindi nila kami pinabayaan lalo na ni (CHAP social worker) Fidel. Sila ang mga naging susi sa pagtulong sa aming mag-iina para mabigyan kami ng puhunan para makapagsimula muli sa buhay.”

(“Childhope was a big help for us because they never wavered their support, especially social worker Fidel. They were the ones who served as beacons for our family, giving us enough capital to begin again.”)

It’s never easy to be a single parent like Josie, especially given that she came from an underprivileged family. To help her raise her children in the manner that every kid deserves, Childhope Philippines, along with its staff, social workers, donors, and street educators, became her partner.

Childhope Philippines’ KalyEskwela Program

Childhope Philippines also has a comprehensive street education project in Metro Manila called Street Education and Protection (STEP) program that provides basic but urgent needs to support and ensure the continuous and holistic learning and development of its street children participants.

Under this project is the “KalyEskwela,” which translates to “school on the streets,” in an effort to deliver education to the street children. Classes are held in mobile vans equipped with multimedia technology. Street children and youth under the Alternative Learning System (ALS) program of the government receive instruction from street educators while working through modules. Likewise, this street child program enables kids to return to regular education. The program offers vocational and technical skill training to older kids so they can support themselves and their families financially.

As stated previously, Obana’s children are also beneficiaries of Childhope’s STEP program. According to her, once her children were chosen as Childhope’s recipients, a significant change occurred, particularly in the attitudes and behavior of her kids. They are now able to distinguish between right and wrong. She also mentioned that she improved her knowledge and understanding on how to guide her children and learned the proper way to approach them.

All the wisdom and knowledge that she learned from the activities, meetings and seminars will be planted in the deepest part of her heart, where it will blossom and serve as an instrument for promoting the rights and welfare of children.

From nothing to something—Josie is now someone who is capable of supporting her children in realizing their goals and developing into capable citizens who will pass on the goodness that was previously shared with them and extend it from generation to generation.

In order to ensure the wellbeing of street youth, organizations like Childhope Philippines provide livelihood initiatives for the disadvantaged sector of society. Childhope also offers the broadest program areas in terms of geographic reach, serving around 1,000 to 1,200 street children annually in 15 regions throughout 6 Metro Manila cities.

Change the Lives of Indigent Families and Bring Hope to Their Future

The current problems that the poor face make it simple for them to abandon hope. However, there is a glimmer of hope for change thanks to organizations like Childhope Philippines, whose goal is to help the poor through community livelihood assistance programs.

Give more street children a chance at a better future! Contribute to our cause by giving a little of your time, energy, and wisdom. You can apply to be a volunteer with us or make a donation to help us improve more programs for street kids’ livelihood and well-being. For more information about us, get in touch with us right now. You can also follow us on Facebook for more updates on our programs.