EBENEZER: The Stone that Changed Lives
EDITORIAL BOARD Rommel V. Fuerte Executive Director Jun Godornes Resource Development Director Precious Basco Donor Care Manager Genesis Jeff Lamigo Public Relations and Communications Manager PROJECT AND CONTENT EDITORS Caroline Veronilla Donor Education Specialist Lanelyn Carillo Luzon Field and Emergency Comms Specialist LAYOUT Margaux Tan Creative Services Officer PHOTOS Lanelyn Carillo 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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MESSAGE FROM THE AREA PROGRAM TEAM LEADER
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THE WOMEN OF EBENEZER 6 BUILDING A CULTURE OF READING
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STORY OF A CHILD LEADER 12 SEWING AND REAPING 15 THE STORY OF A PROMISING ARTIST
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PROGRAM REACH 22
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Like parents whose responsibility is to teach their kids to walk on their own, World Vision is proud to see one of its dear community partners graduate after many years. World Vision has been supporting communities in Cavite for 14 years. Today, we take pride in how Ebenezer has grown. It has become an empowered community, able to sustain its work for the well-being of their children. It only seemed like yesterday when we started our first educational program in Ebenezer, and now they are equipped to seize opportunities on their own. To our dear partners, donors and sponsors, we thank you for journeying with us to build a resilient and thriving community in Ebenezer. As you read through the pages of this special magazine, it is my hope and prayer that you will see how God’s miracles worked through your generosity and care for children. This year, as we aspire to reach more children, we look forward to continue partnering with you. Together, we can change the world for the better, one child at a time. “Our vision for every child, life in all its fullness, our prayer for every heart the will to make it so.� May the Lord continue to be pleased and glorified. Thank you very much and God bless! Sincerely,
Rommel V. Fuerte Executive Director
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First and foremost, we would like to express our sincerest gratitude for the care and support you have extended to your sponsored child, their families and communities. Truly, your deep commitment and faithfulness has enabled them to experience meaningful lives. With great pride, we are pleased to share with you the Area Program Ebenezer 2 milestones that were realized through your generosity. Because of your support, we have helped sustain communities in managing their various economic development initiatives such as organizing twenty (20) COMSCA or Community Managed Savings Association groups, where 686 families now have better access to loans and are equipped with the skills to save for their immediate needs. Our projects have helped improve the capitalization of their small economic livelihood projects. Other families are into micro-enterprise for bag-making, home-based handicraft making and dishwashing liquid soap making. As such, our Community Based Organization (CBO) partner has developed a natural farm project that includes organic methods in hograising, and in growing fruits, vegetables and crops. Moreover, at least 1,077 sponsored children have ensured their safety and protection through local safety net measures and structures. They have sustained their engagement through BCA or Local Barangay Children Associations and are actively advocating their concerns in the areas of child rights, protection and participation. Most of its young leaders are engaged in development processes, life skills, literacy building and values-nurturing activities in partnership with community partners and schools. The families who once found themselves in difficult situations are now one step ahead and are able to stand on their own. Thank you for fueling the change for these empowered communities. You have brought many children closer to their dreams! Indeed, the fruits of our partnership are worthy of thanksgiving and will always serve as an inspiration to us. Sincerely, Marlene Moron Area Program Team Leader (APTL) Ebenezer 2 Area Program
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THE WOMEN OF EBENEZER
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One rainy Sunday morning, a group of women prepared early and rode a jeepney to a 3,000 square meter property with a sign that reads “Ebenezer Organic Garden.”
The Ebenezer Organic Garden is a World Vision project located in Barangay Silang, a small village far from the bustling main streets of Cavite City. Ebenezer, in the Bible, means the stone of help that Samuel, a prophet of the Lord, built to remind the Israelites of the divine assistance they received from God in their battle against the Philistines. It was only in 2015 when the farm became fully operational. Managed by Batong Sandigan Development Foundation (BSDF), a World Vision community partner, the farm is mostly headed by women who are adept in farming and agricultural practices. Gina Lovedice, BSDF team leader, said that caring for the farm is challenging. “We realized that managing a farm is not an easy task. We all know how to farm but to manage a farm is an entirely different thing. We are still learning until now,� she shared. With the help of World Vision’s trainings and assistance, the women learned to put a management system in place. Different committees were formed to spearhead the various activities of the farm. With less than a year in operation, the families harvested batches of vegetable produce, all grown organically. They also raised hogs for additional income. The farm continues to provide a source of livelihood to the families, and even healthy
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food for the neighborhood. “I know we have a long way to go, but we’re doing fine,” says Gina. But these women are not just farmers, they are also volunteers. Merlyn Gamis expressed her joy in volunteering for World Vision. “Even though I do not get paid for this job, I am more than happy to serve others, especially children,” she remarked. Another volunteer leader, Jennette Obejas, shared how fulfilling it was to help other people in need. “There are times when you will feel tired and weary, but when you encounter sponsored children who were able to finish high school and greet you ‘Ma’am, how are you?’ in their college uniforms, it feels satisfying to say how you were also a part of their childhood,” Obejas said. Thank you for empowering women and families through your sponsorship. For the fourteen (14) years we have been in Cavite, we have seen how the lives of children were transformed together with their community through opportunities and programs focusing on education and economic development.
BUILDING A CULTURE OF READING 9
World Vision believes that one of the ways we can break the cycle of poverty is by investing in the future of children through education. By improving the functional literacy of children, we are giving them opportunities to overcome their current situations and live their lives to the fullest. Azea and Erica, both 10 years old, are just few of the many sponsored children World Vision promised to take care of. Both girls were once enrolled in a summer reading program facilitated by World Vision. “There were 35 of us in a class. Some were always absent,” Erica said. “No! There were just 15 of us,” contested Azea. “35. There were 35 of us in the class,” Erica repeated. Azea was silent, estimating in her young mind how many classmates she used to have. At the end, she humbly concurred with Erica’s count. Such conversations were testaments of the friendships and bonds formed among children in Cavite. Known as Culture of Reading (CoR), this initiative aims to hone the reading habits of young children, boost their vocabulary and teach them how to think critically. Classes were held in a nearby learning site every Saturday for five months.
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In the 2013 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey report of the Philippine Statistics Office, the CALABARZON region, to which Cavite belongs, ranked as one of the areas in the country with high functional literacy at 95%. Though the girls admitted that they do not know why they joined the reading class in the first place, they shared how much they enjoyed the lessons. “We read books even when Ma’am Umali (volunteer teacher) is not yet around,” Azea shared. The girls said that aside from reading, they also did dancing, singing and drawing in their classes. The girls said that they both want to become nurses someday, a profession portrayed in a role play at school. To date, World Vision has helped repair and build five learning sites in Cavite. The organization has also partnered with local government units to further promote literacy among children through summer reading sessions.
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STORY OF A CHILD LEADER
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Dressed casually in black shirt partnered with tattered cargo shorts, Aze Ednalaga, 17, cheerfully teaches a simple game to children. They were laughing as they imitate their Kuya Aze’s actions. “I am happy when I am teaching children. It gives me a sense of fulfillment,” the Caviteño lad shared. Aze joined World Vision when he was still in grade school, and he quickly became a child leader. “I attended many World Vision activities that helped me become a leader,” he recalled. “I remember when World Vision chose me to be a child representative in a gathering in Iloilo before. At the airport, I realized how blessed I was to experience what other people would think was ordinary - the plane ride, the free food, staying in hotels and the simple joy of traveling. Other children would probably never get to experience that.” However, like most of his friends in Cavite, Aze is no stranger to the conditions of poverty. Born to a family of six, Aze knows how his parents struggled to put food on their table every day. “My father works as a house painter and earns around Php 400 ($8) for a day’s work. I know the money is not enough for us,” Aze shared. His father travels for 5 hours just to get to work. Aze’s mother, Marrah, 39, occasionally sells second-hand clothing in a small makeshift cart in the market. “She always finds ways to help my father make both ends meet,” says Aze.
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The family is currently living in a small shanty after the house they used to rent was reoccupied by the owner. Aze shared how mosquitoes would feast on them at night if not for the mosquito nets. Their rooftop also leaks when it rains. “We have electricity here but we don’t have television. We usually go to our neighbors to watch TV,” he said. Despite the circumstances that surround Aze, he never complained, instead he worked even harder to make his parents proud. Aside from the honors he received since elementary, he also received Huwarang Estudyante (model student) award, Student Journalist Award and won 2nd place in a division-level History Quiz Bee, among others. Jing Moron, World Vision program team leader in Cavite said, “Aze is like a son to me. His situation pains me as a mother. But I also feel blessed to see how responsible he is as a child, and his perseverance to better himself. He would go a long way if more opportunities come his way. That is why we want him to join more activities and trainings.” As of this writing, Aze is now in Grade 11 taking Accountancy Business and Management in a public high school and is looking forward to attending college soon. He hopes to finish his studies so he can help his family.
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SEWING AND REAPING Wilson concentrates on the piece of clothing he is sewing. He sits quietly in the middle of the room while his wife, Jennifer, 35, is still figuring out how to stitch bags. “It’s difficult to sew these bags,” Jen said. “Nah, it is very easy,” Wilson teased. Jen, ignoring her husband, continued, “What takes him a minute to do is hours for me.” Wilson Enbate, 39, once worked in a garment factory, sewing bags for more than a decade. He shared that working under strict and rigorous conditions was a tough job. “You will be reprimanded by your supervisor if you mess up. If you do mess up, everyone in the factory would hear you being scolded. It was humiliating at times,” he said.
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Even when he worked a grueling eight-hour shift In 2011, World Vision and its community for a decade, he only earned Php200 to Php300 a partner organization in Cavite, Batong Sandigan day in the factory. Development Foundation, put up a sewing center near Wilson’s home. The center opened a After ten long years, Wilson resigned. It was different kind of world for the community—giving during that time when their family experienced the families the opportunity to manufacture bags, more difficulties. Sending two children to school, pouches and wallets. Such blessing provided paying house bills, and providing food for the additional income to families in the area where family seemed nearly impossible for a man who World Vision works. had no source of income. Wilson was offered to work at the center and Their situation forced them to borrow money without hesitation, he grabbed the opportunity. from their relatives. Sometimes, their kin would To date, Wilson has been a sewer in the livelihood also share their food with them. “That’s how we center for nearly four years. survived every single day,” Wilson added.
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“I was able to save because I did not have to spend on transportation since I just walk to the center,” he said. Gina Lovedice, Chairperson of Batong Sandigan Development Foundation, explained that the idea of putting up a sewing center came up when World Vision was distributing emergency preparedness bags to the community. “We thought of creating the bags ourselves. It would be much cheaper than buying from nearby malls, and at the same time, manufacturing the bags would provide a stable income for families in the community,” Gina said. The families that were assisted by World Vision are now running the daily operation of the center. These people work from finding buyers to negotiating with subcontractors, computing the center’s financial transactions, and sewing the bags. With bulk orders, the livelihood center could earn as much as Php 300,000. Through your generous help, parents like Jen and Wilson are able to provide the daily needs of their family. Thank you for making this project possible!
THE STORY OF A PROMISING ARTIST
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An unfinished hand-painted Eiffel Tower stands in a corner. Surrounding it are miniature buildings enclosed in glass boxes and some painting materials scattered on the floor. The 18-year-old artist is excited to finish her work after days of investing a great deal of time and effort for the upcoming university exhibit. The Eiffel Tower is her masterpiece in the making. Dany Cris, a former World Vision sponsored child, now reaps what she sows after years of toil and hard work. A member of the famed artist group, Guhit Pinas, Dany is well known for her beautiful surreal paintings. Her surrealism art in canvas could sell between Php 20,000 to Php 30,000. On the other hand, a letter-sized human portrait is at Php 500. Vast array of painting materials—watercolor, oil, acrylic, and brushes—can be found in her small bedroom. Dany was in elementary when World Vision helped her family in providing her school needs. World Vision continued to support her until high school with the help of generous sponsors and donors. She also had the opportunity to attend several activities facilitated by World Vision that aims to improve the skills of children and teach good values.
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Her mother, Cristeta, 43, shared, “Life isn’t easy for us. Years ago, we sold fish and earned roughly around Php 300 for the whole day.” Her father, Danilo, 49, also lost his job during a critical time in Dany’s life. Fortunately, her God-given talent changed the direction of her life. Dany’s painting of a woman’s red lips partly hidden in a cloud of colorful vivid hues caught the attention of a Malaysian art enthusiast. The Malaysian enthusiast willingly bought her work for Php 22,000. “I was happy to know my painting was appreciated. I gave all the money to my parents,” she said. The money was used for the family’s daily needs and a portion of it was saved for Dany’s school and painting supplies. Dany cannot thank her parents and World Vision enough for supporting her dreams. Her works of art done in two months can now sell to as much as Php150,000, an amount more than enough for her tuition fee. Her father, admitting that her daughter earns more than he does, promised to continue doing what he can do to support Dany and their family.
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EBENEZER DASMARIÑAS
9,013 hectares land area 30 kilometers south of Manila and 12 kilometers from the provincial capitol 75 barangays
CAVITE
659,019 population
PROGRAMS
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CHILD SPONSORSHIP
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
EDUCATION WITH CHILD PROTECTION
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM REACH* 3,897 children reached or direct children beneficiaries
585 children participated
1,386 children received values-based life skills development
in reading sessions and literacy building activities at home and in community
888 adults and children
74 children enrolled and
40 child protection mechanisms developed,
attended a structured learning program
32 teachers and community educators
trained on relevant life skills that develop children’s resilience
approved and enacted resulting from consultation with 1,268
children
trained in context based teaching methodologies in reading and literacy building
36 CoMSCA groups composed of 637 families
28 parents and caregivers trained to
51 families engaged in
support learning and reading readiness for children
organized and still saving
various livelihood
* Based only on Fiscal Year 2017
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World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty. It has operational presence in 28 provinces, 25 cities and 80 municipalities, impacting approximately 14 million individuals, including 2.9 million children.
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Our vision for every child, life in all its fullness, Our prayer for every heart, the will to make it so.
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