Posts Tagged ‘Tondo’

WE meets with CNN Hero Efren Penaflorida for LOVE2LEARN Project

Posted By abee on 07.30.2010 • (0) 

On Monday, July 5, 2010 the WE Team, with members of our partner organization Young Focus, went to Cavite to meet with 2009 CNN Hero of the Year Efren Penaflorida. Efren works with Dynamic Teen Company – known most for their “KARITON CLASSROOM” concept. Efren and his mentor, KB Manalaysay of Club8586,joined the team and a discussion regarding a possible collaboration for WE-YF’s LOVE2LEARN Project.

It was an honor for the team to meet with Efren and KB, as the HSBC-funded LOVE2LEARN grant that Young Focus and WE recently received was inspired by the Kariton Classroom concept and the work of these humble heroes.  Together we discussed our plans for our current High School and College Sponsored Students, in cooperation with WE and YF volunteers, to be trained and then participate in teaching basic functional literacy to 3-12 years old children in the Smokey Mt Dumpsite Area who do not have access to learn Functional and Basic Learning Skills. Efren and KB were happy to share the curriculum and model they have developed and honed over the years, which is already being used and replicated in many other places, including Africa.

It was a truly inspiring, informative meeting and it was inspirational to hear how Club8586 and Dynamic Teen Company started and to hear of their trials and triumphs.  In the end WE were extremely humbled and grateful for their willingness to help us with the LOVE2LEARN Project. In sharing the Kariton Classroom curriculum they painstakingly developed after many years of trial and error, their hard work and willingness to share will now lead to positive change in the Smokey Mountain community as we launch the LOVE2LEARN Project!

Tagged As: CNN Hero of the Year, Efren Penaflorida, Geni Psinakis, Love2Learn, Manuel Manarang, Smokey Mountain, Tondo, Trina Santos, WE, WE International Philippines

Posted In: News

WE International Philippines Launches WE Care – A Medical Care Program

Posted By abee on 03.10.2010 • (0) 

On 21 February 2010, WE International Philippines, in collaboration with Young Focus, Mr. Chris Eberle, Dr. Martin Camara of Intercare and medical doctors from Makati Medical Center (MMC) led by pediatric pulmonologist Dr. Bong Rivera, launched the medical care program, “WE CARE”.

A total of fifteen doctors, including pediatricians, dermatologists, a chiropractic team, and nurses from MMC and St. Luke’s Hospital set up consultation booths in the Gawad Kalinga center in Tondo, Manila to conduct needs assessment, medical-history documentation and thorough medical check-up/assessment to over 200 of WE and Young Focus’ Sponsored Students in the Elementary, High School and University levels, as well as the Out-Of-School Youth group and some 65 in- and out- patients from the Child Center feeding program located on the Smokey Mountain dumpsite.

Private donors from abroad, through Chris Eberle funded and sourced for all medicines and clinical supplies from multi-vitamins and antibacterial medication to various specialized pediatric and adult medicines; which were dispensed immediately, based on the doctors’ prescriptions.

Intercare’s crucial involvement in WE CARE also enabled the identification of early signs of possible physical problems in most of the very young students. WE will now be able to monitor them and hopefully be able to help prevent commonly occurring problems through educational seminars and preventive care from Inetrcare’s chiropractic team.

By April, as a follow through of the initial medical assessment, WE CARE aims to setup a simple medical clinic inside the student center that will be manned by a doctor/nurse team at least one day per week thus ensuring a long-term healthcare support of the Young Focus students and babies and toddlers from the Child Center feeding program.

WE is deeply grateful to all who participated in this very important initiative, and helped make the opening of WE CARE an overwhelming success!

This is only the beginning what will be an ongoing program. WE plan to maintain regular WE CARE Medical Missions throughout the year, and deeply appreciate the willingness of so many to give of their time and donations – in cash, and in kind (medicines and medical supplies). Please let us know if you would like to support upcoming WE CARE events.

Tagged As: Medical Assistance, Medical Mission, Poverty, Smokey Mountain, Tondo, WE Care, WE International Philippines

Posted In: News

A Birthday Celebration in Smokey Mountain

Posted By abee on 07.01.2009 • (0) 

WE International Philippines' Director of Development, Geni Psinakis, celebrated her birthday recently with a group of close friends and more than 40 elementary school students residing in the Smokey Mountain garbage dump. The birthday party was held at a local community center in the area. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade children from our partner's student sponsorship program were entertained with various games and a magic show. In lieu of birthday gifts, Geni had asked her friends to donate books, school supplies, toys and items the kids in need. The event was a wonderful success, and a truly joyful birthday celebration!

Tagged As: Birthday, Geni Psinakis, Smokey Mountain, Tondo, WE International Philippines, Young Focus

Posted In: News

Madonna and Jenly, Smokey Mountain Success Stories

Posted By abee on 05.25.2009 • (0) 

Left: Jenly Pascual, Right: Madonna Flores

WE International Philippines recently had the privilege of seeing two students from the Student Sponsorship Program in Smokey Mountain graduate from college, and shortly thereafter receive job offers from Holy Rosary school in Las Pinas.  Madonna Flores was hired as a Filipino teacher and Jenly Pascual was hired as an elementary school Information Technology teacher.

The girls’ lives have changed dramatically since the time they first began attending school through the Student Sponsorship Program. Madonna and Jenly’s transformational success has served as an inspiration to other sponsored students from the Smokey Mountain area who are currently working to successfully fashion their own individual futures. 

Madonna and Jenly's growth has also touched the hearts of all of the professionals who work on a daily basis to help make this kind of success story a reality. Their victory is a testament to the fact that youth from Smokey Mountain have the ability to succeed and escape the cycle of poverty that plagues the community. WE believe that "success breeds success", and Madonna and Jenly have shown the way!

As a community, WE celebrate their accomplishments, but above all, WE celebrate who they have become as young adults!

Tagged As: Smokey Mountain, Success Story, Tondo, WE International Philippines

Posted In: News