B U D Y O N G
The Official Update of Gugma sa Kabataan, Inc.
Volume 1 Issue
No. 2 March-April 2005
EDITORIAL
The Six Blind Men
The six men of
Oftentimes we are like the six blind men with biases
and stereotyped attitude. Our education
was indoctrinated by our families and communities we belong – neighbors,
church, school, government. It was
instilled in us that children on the street can not be trusted because they are
addict, uncontrollable and violent. They have no moral values and so on. They are exploited as car washers and car
watchers the fee is so meager just enough for one square meal a day. We rather give our left over food to them
(that dogs would not even bother to smell) than put it in rubbish.
Let me introduced some of the children in our
center. Francis was asked by our staff
to break the Php 500.00 in the nearby store.
Job well done, he came back with Php500.00 in loose change; an amount of Php100.00 was budgeted to Arnel
to buy a pair of shirt and short. After
few seconds he came with his shirt and returned the Php20.00 change. Ricky has to quit school because of
poverty. If there is an extra food he
gathered some to bring to his bedridden father.
Rhoda Mae is a very reserved girl.
She is a hard core rugby girl.
However, she always
asked and request for what she needs.
This season of Lent, is a season to repent. Let us examine ourselves, our spirituality
on how we relate with the whole creation of God particularly the boys and girls
on the street. Like us they were created
in the image of God. Thomas of Aquinas
reminded us when he said “believe and you will be able to understand.” Yes, we got to believe that even in their
dirty looks and stinky smells children in their being is an IMAGO DEI. Arnel, Francis, Ricky and Rhoda Mae have
demonstrated it.
Iluminada SA.
Domingo
Gugma sa Kabataan,
Inc. Launched its First Assembly
Nine (9) incorporators were present in the First
Assembly of Gugma sa Kabataan in February 15, 2005 held at Dynasty court
Restaurant. Iluminada SA. Domingo,
Executive Director, Gugma sa Kabataan Inc, presented the concept and purposes
of the organization to wit:
Description
Gugma sa Kabataan Inc. Is an
alternative place
for street children to belong and be safe. As a day
Center
it provides a fun filled activities – drawing,
coloring, painting, reading, watching movies, listening to
stories and playing
games. Also, it provide food,
medical care, legal protection, pastoral care and
counseling.
Objectives It is our goal to reach children
on the street and in jail
to obtain a normal life and become responsible persons.
Specifically:
To re-establish connection between children and their
families and communities
through family counseling
value clarification and community support and
services
To
raise children’s awareness on their gifts, capabilities
and rights as persons and responsibilities as Filipino
citizens;
To facilitate for rehabilitative and remedial services and;
To facilitate and design programs for literacy in both
formal and in alternative school.
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Picture B The Board of Incorporators with the
Executive Director of GsK, Inc Seated from left: Carmelita
Danlay, Ma. Ezperanza V. Trillo, Nora M. Lupeba, Iluminada SA. Domingo
(Executive Director) Jospehine L. Antiquina, Flordeliza Q. Navales Back row from left;
Hermogenes P. balolot, Mitchell L. Flores, Mark Gil Mariot |
Lupeba was elected President of GsK Inc.
The board of incorporators vouched for the leadership
and voted Nora M. Lupeba as president of the Board of Trustees. Ms. Lupeba was formerly a volunteer
accountant at Balay sa Gugma, Inc. By
profession she is a certified public accountant and works for the government as
the Chief Financial Administrator in the Department of Trade and Industry.
Other members of the Boards elected are: Dr. Stefan
Wolfesntetter-Vice-president; Ms. Joanna Rose R. Burgos-Secretary; Ms.
Flordeliza Q. Navales- Treasurer; Ms. Ma. Esperanza V. Trillo- Auditor; Engr.
Mitchell L. Flores-financial Secretary; Misses Jillian cooper and Aurora H.
Tagalog, Mr. James Robert Messick- members.
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Picture
C Nora M. Lupeba, President elect
signed the articles of incorporation paper |
City DSWD Visited
Gugma sa Kabataan, Inc Center
Ms. Faith Gerona, Social Worker Officer and Mr.
Sofonias Vidal, Jr, Street Educator of
Cagayan de Oro DSWD visited the Center in March 2, 2005. The visitation established bonding to be
partners in reaching out the street children and in the sharing of human
resources. The dialogue meeting explored
into the possibility of organizing the street children according to their
interest and needs.
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Picture
D from left: Executive Director Iluminada SA. Domingo
explained the GsK approached to Faith Gerona and sofonias Vidal with the presence
of BsK Auditor Ma. Esperanza Trillo |
Card making an
expression of healing
Children in the center and in jail were motivated to
make cards. The card making allows the
children to express the gift in art. To
the children in Lumbia city jail card
making facilitates to cope in their loneliness, anxieties and depression
moments.
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Picture E
“What matters most is the interest in making card.” Ricky, Arnold,
Albert and Avin don’t feel the uncomfort of making card on the floor. |
From scraps of cogon grass paper, dried banana fiber
and local dried flowers children can make their imaginations wild and create a
beautiful card.
“Build your Tower .
. . .
Self disclosure was part of the Saturday meeting in
January 30, 2005. The children were
asked to build a tower as an exercise in team building. The group of Williamar Punlaon produced the
tallest, strongest and unique tower. It
is very interesting that children noted that cooperation, division of work, and
planning are important in team building.
Also, the presence of an adult was recognized as vital in team building.
“The wisdom of the old” commented by the group is needed for guidance.
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Picture F Williamar Punlaon and group were very proud
to present their tower |
Meeting with the
Parents/Guardians
On February 12, 2005, parents/guardians were invited
for a Consultation meeting. The goal of
the meeting was to strengthen the partnership relationship between the family
and the organization. It was agreed
that a quarterly meeting will be facilitated by the center to discuss matters
on family, academic and behavior of the children. Ms. Flordeliza Q. Navales, GsK Treasurer and
a psychologist by profession was very helpful giving in-put to the psychological
needs of the children.
Both parents
and guardians were very grateful to
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Picture G from left: Bienvenida Jalalon, Rosana
Macas, Hermogenes Balolot, Flordeliza Q. Navales |
Dunkin Donut and
Carmelite Sisters supports GsK
The management of Dunkin Donut and Carmelite Sisters
in Cagayan de Oro committed to a weekly support GsK program. Every Tuesday our children are beneficiaries
of fresh eggs from the Carmelite Sisters. Likewise, doughnuts from Dunkin are
shared to children both on the street and in jail.
LIFE STORY CORNER
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Picture G Kendrick “tata” de la Cruz |
Kendrick is very reserved boy. His mind and his hand can be very wild to
draw and to cut with a wondrous design.
As a sophomore student in the secondary school, his teacher recognized
and affirmed his ability in art.
It was poverty that had pushed Kendrick de la Cruz on street life. As a plastic bag vendor he was exposed to the
danger on the street life. There was freedom from family discipline, belonging
among street children and immediate income that motivated Kendrick to run away
from home. Tata as he is fondly called
had his feet chained by his parents to keep him from going away. His determination to be on the street with
other children was stronger than the chain.
One day he was brought to the center of Balay sa Gugma by a concerned
citizen.
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Send your
articles and comments to Iluminada SA. Domingo Executive Director Email address:
gugmaka@philcom.ph |
Spenderkonto: Balay sa Gugma e.V KOntonummer 139 998 BB Bank BLZ 660 908 00 |