Report on child-focused projects in Mandaluyong City

September 2011

Who We Are

Unang Hakbang Foundation (UHF) exists to make children happy and works

among children on the streets and in very poor communities to help them discover what they can do to make their lives great because they are capable of doing so.

Our main programs:

(a) Aral Kalinga, assistance in reading, writing and math for public elementary school children at-risk of dropping out and help for out-of-school children and youth in obtaining their elementary or high school equivalency certificate, and

(b) Buhay Kalinga, a formation program to develop in our young people a critical attitude and an interest in "knowing why", an awareness of their worth and an appreciation for others’, confidence in their abilities, and an attitude of caring.

Our Vision We envision all children growing into mature and productive individuals, creating a caring society of empowered and empowering communities.

Our Objectives

Inspiring in children confidence that they are loved and cherished. We call our centers homes, e.g., Bahay ni San Francisco, Bale nang San Isidro, and refer to them as sanctuaries for children and the children have regarded them as their home, a safe place to be, away from the police, bullies, “bad” friends, and inhospitable schools. “Hindi ako nawalan ng pag-asa dahil naalala ko . . . mahal nila kami, hindi nila kami pababayaan”. In adopting this objective, we affirm our roots and expand it to include a spiritual dimension that speaks to the children of the love that flows from God and inspiring them to return that love. Helping children develop a strong sense of meaning, purpose, and mission. Our children have invariably told us “gusto ko ang nakakatulong sa ibang mga bata” which being a peer tutor or reader facilitates. They like being able to share their knowledge and believe “kung kaya namin, kaya rin nila”. It is an attitude we want animated by the children’s vision of themselves as participants in the larger project of Creation. Fostering the children’s ability to visualize and create a positive future for themselves & their community. The children have also told us that they have become “mas masayahin” and good role models – “hindi na sila mayabang”. We want them translating this feeling of freedom and joy into choices that illuminate their faith and demonstrate their desire to make their lives great.

What We Do

UHF is an operating foundation providing direct services to children and youth from very poor families. We have community-based centers in Mandaluyong City and Pampanga. In Mandaluyong City, we have 2 centers

in Welfareville, Bgy. Addition Hills and another located in our main office in Bgy. Highway Hills. In Pampanga, we have centers located within the compound of the San Isidro Elementary School in Bacolor, Pampanga and the Sta. Tereza 1st Elementary School in Lubao, Pampanga and a third center in Pandacaqui, Mexico, Pampanga. Our centers are open 6 days a week in Mandaluyong City and 5 days a week in Pampanga. For over 11 years, we have served upward of 250 children daily under the following programs:

Aral Kalinga We help keep children in school by enabling those at-risk of dropping out keep up with schoolwork and nudging them to raise their aspirations. We provide street and out-of-school children and youth (OSCY) alternative opportunities for channeling their energies and activities to help them regain a sense of their personal worth and navigate a way out of the streets. AK is a support system helping children affirm their resolve to improve their lives. We provide:

Special classes in reading and math, as well as, basic literacy classes and one-on-one tutorials. Stipends and prizes for improved school performance: P50/week allowance for children whose

average grades rise to 80% and above and P100/week for children all of whose subject grades are 85% and above.

Basic literacy classes and one-on-one tutorials. Assistance in preparing for the Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Examination to successfully

obtain a grade school or high school equivalency certificate

We distribute P40,000 – P50,000 annually in stipends to children each year. We provide support to older children who enroll at the La Salle Night High School and are a partner of the Department of Education-Mandaluyong City Division in the delivery of the Alternative Learning System (ALS).

Buhay Kalinga

We strive to develop among our young people a critical attitude and an interest in "knowing why", an awareness of their worth and an appreciation for others’, confidence in their abilities, and an attitude of caring. Pagpapahalaga (Valuing oneself and others) UHF is not a faith-based organization but our belief that we are God’s children animates all that we do and the value we place on the young people we help. Activities include:

Life skills training Participation in children's congresses and various fora Exhibits showcasing children's writings and artworks Sports program Regular meals & the provision of sanitation facilities Medical assistance and referrals

Pagkikipagkapwa (Reaching out and helping others)

We want our young people to become good stewards and make the practice of charity – esp. helping people outside of their own families – a natural and integral element in their lives:

Opportunity to become a peer tutor (Munting Titser) or peer mentor (Batang Gabay) Opportunity to be a reader in Kuwentuhang Bata (KB), a community story-telling activity held

every other Saturday

Pagsasarili (Becoming independent) We affirm our young people’s desire to help their families and not be a burden by channeling that need to be productive in work skills classes and paid apprenticeships and by striving at all times to link education directly to work through:

Art classes Basic computer literacy class Internships Paid apprenticeships

UHF’s logo was derived from a child’s drawing. “Ugnayang Sining”, a public exhibition of the children’s artworks, is organized regularly. Older children participate in making items produced under UrChef, a bakery project, receiving an allowance for such participation. As a partner of Step-UP, a project of the Visayan Forum and Microsoft Philippines, children are taught basic computer skills.

Organization & Affiliations UHF’s Board of Trustees is composed of Olie Lucas, President, Angel Inocentes-Gonzalez, Treasurer, Angelica Yap-Azurin, Corporate Secretary, and Carissa Singson, Celee Pamintuan-Tang, Pandy Singian, Raffy Guerrero, Rose Yenko and Boyet Palma III, regular members. UHF was formally incorporated in December 1999. It was the natural outcome of the project for street children started by UHF’s founding trustees in September 1996 which organized play and educational activities for the street children of EDSA Crossing regularly on Saturday mornings. On January 27, 2003, UHF was registered and licensed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as a social welfare agency implementing community-based services for children and youth. It is also a registered volunteer organization with the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA). UHF is a member of the National Council of Social Development (NCSD), the Civil Society Network for Education Reforms (E-Net Philippines), the Philippine Action Against Youth Offenders (PAYO), the Sub-Committee on Improving Access to Services of the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC), and the DSWD-sponsored ABSNET (Area-Based Standards Network) Metro East Cluster. We were also a partner of Step-UP, a project of the Visayan Forum and Microsoft, to stop the trafficking of persons through the implementation of a computer learning program delivering Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential curriculum.

Contact Details Address: 161 Lopez Rizal St.

Bgy. Highway Hills 1552 Mandaluyong City Telephone: (632) 531 3474 Telefax: (632) 535-5189 Email: unanghakbangfoundation@gmail.com Website: http://sites.geocities.com/site/unanghakbangfoundation

Activities in 2010/2011 Mandaluyong City

Children Served In school year 2010–2011, we served an average of 198 in-school children on a daily basis:

Bahay ni Jose 83 Bahay ni Nino Hesus 68 Bahay n San Francisco 47

Total 198

These are children who were with us at least three times a week for tutorials and other activities. The total number of children that we reached out to was at least 297, the number of children who originally registered in our program. Unfortunately, a third of them did not remain. In addition to the above, we had over 160 young people registering for our Alternative Learning System (ALS) tutorials. However, only 63 learners regularly participated in the program, i.e., coming in at least one day each week to be tutored. 30 learners were also transferred to the formal education system. Home visits are made by our social workers to confirm that those registered in our program for in-school children come from among the very poor families in the community. Follow up visits are made during the course of the year to discuss with the child’s parents how they think their child is progressing and to address any problem that may have risen. We are less strict about the level of income of those who enter the ALS program but limit recruitment among residents of the poorer sections of Calbayog, Welfareville and Bgy. Mauway.

Tutorial classes are held in UHF’s center. Bahay ni Nino Hesus (BNH) and Bahay ni Jose (BNJ) are both located in Welfareville, Bgy. Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City. BNH shares the space of the Samahan ng Magkakapit-bahay Inc. (SMBI) in Block 28. BJ uses space lent by the City of Mandaluyong in the Botanical Garden Complex along Martinez St. Both serve residents of Welfareville, Bgy. Addition Hills. Bahay ni San Francisco (BSF) is located in UHF’s main office in Bgy. Highway Hills. It serves residents of Calbayog and Bgy. Mauway. Each center is managed by a Center Head. UHF does not charge fees for any of its services.

Aral Kalinga In-School

A tutorial class at Bahay ni Jose for in-school children.

53% of our in-school learners are in Grades 2 and 3 and 34% in Grades 4 and 5. Only a minority of children are in Grades 1 and 6. This is the case as recruitment is made on the basis of the children’s total average grade in the immediately preceding school year. Our program targets children with average grades of 78% or below and repeaters. The minimum age for entering our program is 7. We have a ratio of 1.15 male children to female children in our program. We are happy with this ratio as boys require more assistance. Based on nationwide data, boys are underperforming in school while girl-children are doing better markedly. To measure the effectiveness of our program, we track the children’s grades.

Ave. Grade On Entry As of March

2011

70 - 71% 3.1% 0.0%

72 - 73% 3.1% 0.5%

74 -75% 21.4% 9.2%

76 -77% 57.7% 24.5%

78 - 79% 14.8% 32.7%

80 - 81%

21.9%

82 - 83%

8.2%

84 - 85%

2.6%

86 - 87%

0.0%

88 - 90%

0.5%

As shown above, we have been able to raise the lowest grade received by our learners to 72%-73% from 70%-71% and now have children getting average grades of 80%-90%. To incent children who are performing well, those with no subject grade below 80% receive a stipend of P50/week while children who get an average grade of 85% receive P100/week. Stipends are distributed monthly over the following grading period. In March 2011, we had 8 children were receiving a stipend

UHF and the Mandaluyong City Department of Education have a Memorandum of Agreement that is renewed annually to provide UHF access to the children’s reports cards and facilitate meetings with the children’s teachers. Alternative Learning System (ALS) As reported in the section “Children Served”, we had 63 learners who regularly participated in our ALS class. We count as regulars those who come one day a week to be tutored. We encourage learners to complete at least 8 ALS modules/week, or 32 modules/month. 69% on average are able to accomplish this. Those unable to do so say their minds have become A tutorial session in the ALS program.

stagnant after being out-of-school for a long time. In truth, many are unable to read. Some are also working and are able to go to the center only during their day off. They borrow modules but it takes days before they are able to return the completed modules.

In October, 2010, 23 of our ALS learners took the Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Examination. One passed the High School A&E Examination while another passed the Grade School A&E.

Buhay Kalinga Reaching Out To Others To instill in UHF children the habit being of service to others, we actively recruit and encourage children to become peer tutors or Munting Titsers. In 2010, we had 36 Munting Titsers:

Last Name First Name Grade School Average. Grade

On Entry As of March 2011

1 Coronel Ma. Alyka 3 PHES 78 83

2 Perez Michelle 4 ABIS 78 78

3 Alarba Chastine 4 NDFES 77.25 79

4 Bornea Naica 4 ABIS 77 80

5 Coronel Eran John 4 PHES 77.5 82

6 Escalante Bryan Shane 4 ABIS 77 84

7 Gallego Ciarruse Khirl 4 NDFES 78 82

8 Garbo Nicole 4 ABIS 77 80

9 Mahusay Kim Ronald 4 ABIS 78 81

10 Morados Roxanne 4 ABIS 77 79

11 Romulo Rosel 4 NDFES 76.25 78

12 Sagaysay Leslie 4 ABIS 76 81

13 Sagaysay Albert 4 ABIS 77 82

14 Santos Mark Loren 4 NDFES 78 84

15 Vargas Anielyn 4 ABIS 78 81

16 Alao John Lester 5 NDFES 78 81

17 Estrebillo Roseline 5 ABIS 78 84

18 Famulagan Mariam 5 NDFES 77 83

19 Margallo Jhon Ricksel 5 NDFES 78 84

20 Oliveros Erica 5 NDFES 77 82

21 Oliveros Joemarie 5 NDFES 77 82

22 Pacayra Charmaine 5 ABIS 76 80

23 Parilla Rejoyce Ann 5 PHES 78 82

24 Porquez Rinalie 5 ABIS 76 81

25 Quierro Kayceline 5 NDFES 78 80

26 Varella Janella Mae 5 ABIS 70 80

27 Facto Airon Paul 6 PHES 76 80

28 Garbo ArcelleMae 6 ABIS 78 81

29 Gualon Kalvin Joy 6 ABIS 78 78

30 Lapuz Giornie 6 ABIS 77 80

31 Morados Rosalie 6 JFMS 76.8 81

32 Parilla Renbran 6 ABIS 76 83

33 Regencia Jay Dy 6 ABIS 77 80

34 Royo Sherlyn 6 NDFES 78 81

35 Sumalinog Ervin 6 NDFES 78 80

36 Varella Nanette 6 ABIS 77 77

The grade of the child is not the primary factor in their recruitment as a Munting Titser. They are chosen for their show of commitment, patience and perseverance. Under the supervision of the Center Head, Munting Titsers are assigned 3 to 5 tutees each – children who are at a lower grade level. They help tutees master reading, writing and counting. They also help their tutees solve simple math problems and monitor the completion of homework and school projects. Munting Titsers attend regular workshops to develop their confidence in dealing with their tutees and

peers. They are assessed through an evaluation of the performance of their tutees. Quizes, oral reading and other learning activities are part of the tutorial activities. Tutees are also asked to evaluate their tutors. In addition to the Munting Titser program, a community read-aloud or Kuwentuhang Bata(KB) is held every other Saturday morning. In a KB activity, child-readers from UHF are fielded into the community to read to other children. In 2010, we reached out to 708 children in Welfareville, Bgy. Addition Hills and to 277 children in Bgys. Mauway and Highway Hills, a total of 985 children. The KBs are organized and facilitated by UHF children themselves with assistance from UHF’s staff.

Skills Training Art classes were held every other Saturday in BNJ with an average of 73 learners attending class. Art classes were also held regularly in BSF for 17 students. To showcase the children’s works, an exhibit of the their artworks, Ugnayang Sining, was held at the Lobby of Mandaluyong City Hall’s Executive Building in October 25-29, 2010. Under an arrangement with the Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation Inc. (HLAF), four ALS learners were placed with HLAF to work as para-legal interns during the period February-April 2010. They were in addition to the five who were placed with HLAF in November 2009 when the project started up and who completed their internship in January 2010. Para-legal interns learned to follow-up on hearings of indigent jail inmates and help coordinate cases with other government institutions, such as, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). They attended lectures on the criminal justice system and, most importantly, improved their communication skills.

Kwentuhang Bata at UHF.

To continue to provide our youth with actual job experience, UHF successfully placed 6 young people as baggers with SM Supermarkets for 3 weeks during the 2010 Christmas season. This was the 4th year that UHF was able to undertake this with SM Supermarkets. Other Activities UHF sponsors a monthly Holy Mass for children at BNJ. Organized games and sports activities are also held every other Saturday afternoon. In response to the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) call to create a special program for street children at Christmas, UHF organized Pasakalye, an interaction activity with street children who populated Acacia Lane, Shaw Boulevard and 9 de Febrero and who lived in Welfareville, Addition Hills. From Monday to Thursday, beginning December 6 and ending on December 16, UHF played host to an average of 90 children each day from 3PM to 8PM in BNJ. The children participated in organized games, art activities and sharing sessions with snacks and an evening meal being provided. Scenes from Pasakalye:

From left, clockwise: (1) Washing hands as they came in, (2) saying "Hi" to everyone, (3) meal time, and (4) washing up.