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Highlights of the Activities July - September 2009

Organizational and Staff Activities:

Happy SDC’s 15th Anniversary!!! The SDC Board of Trustees and the staff celebrated the SDC’s 15th Anniversary on 27 July 2009 at the SDC office with a simple get-together. Other members failed to attend the gathering due to the heavy rain. The theme on the 15th SDC Anniversary is: Children have rights too! Respect, Protect, Fulfill. The event started with a thanksgiving prayer, mindful of the SDC family’s opportunity to share its time and resources to its less fortunate beneficiaries. Good food and drinks were served to those who made it to the celebration. There were lots of laughs and sharing of insights as well on the future course of the SDC.

Right photo: Atty. Jun Aragon (red t-shirt) and Nora Pagador (yellow blouse) checks on the food displayed on the table, to make sure their daughters get the right food to eat. Both, Atty. Aragon and Nora are health conscious parents.

Recruitment of two new staff members:

On 06 August 2009, two new staff members started their six months probationary period with the SDD. Raphael (Paeng) Ferrer, a social work graduate from the University of the Philippines, is assigned to implement the Advocacy and Networking Program of the SDC. On the other hand, Merly Ladrillo, a former staff member of Psalms Foundation, Bataan, is assigned as the Administrative staff of the SDC. Merly holds a degree in Bachelor of Science in Commerce, major in Computer Science from the University of Assumption, San Fernando, Pampanga.

Programs and Services

Literacy Session

For the 3rd. quarter of 2009, about seven literacy sessions were conducted. In spite of the lack of staff members, the SDC volunteers continued the activity under the guidance and supervision of the Executive Director, Niday R. Mayor. The literacy sessions are usually held in one of the cottages of the barangay, in partnership with the Barangay officials of Brgy. Addition Hills. An average of 12 parents from Calbayog St., Brgy. Highway Hills and Welfareville compound, Brgy. Addition Hills attend every literary session. The volunteers and participants remain enthusiastic about the literacy activity. The volunteers are hopeful that the nature and substance of the activity will contribute to the development of critical thinking among the parents. In addition, the literacy activity will be a big help to the parents in developing their writing and communication skills and in raising their self confidence.

Left photo (L-R): Atty. Ric (Don) Lapesura (Chair), Atty. Jun Aragon (Board member), Therese (child of Atty. Aragon), Meryll and her mother Nora Pagador (SDC’s Treasurer), Merly Ladrillo and Raphael Ferrer (new staff members). Not in the photo is Atty. Leo Battad, the Vice-Chair, who happened to be the photographer during the celebration. All are eagerly awaiting the sumptuous food to be served.

Reality Situation:

There are more boys than girls.

Female children are disadvantaged because of their sex; they do more

housework and are prone to sexual abuses.

- Childhope Asia (Philippines)

Reality Situation: Street Children usually come from broken families.

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Programs and Services

Community Visits:

Merly and Paeng, with the assistance of Nanay Lilia, made their area visits at Welfareville compound and Calbayog Street. Margie Dadovo, one of the SDC volunteers, was responsible for introducing the two new staff to the beneficiaries. The community integration was necessary for the two staff members to familiarize themselves of the area and to build rapport with the beneficiaries. The new staff members enjoyed their integration and were accepted by the parents and youth in the community as the new SDC implementers.

Street Visits:

Niday Mayor, the SDC Executive Director, went together with Merly and Paeng for an ocular visit of the SDC’s areas of work. Since the street children of Quezon Avenue were targets of Metropolitan Manila Development Administration’s apprehension campaign, the three decided to forego the plan to visit the area. They however visited EDSA in Kamuning and Mindanao Avenue, SDC’s areas of concern to familiarize themselves of the place where the children usually work and stay. After a week, Merly and Paeng were introduced to some of the street children of EDSA-Kamuning.

Another Milestone to Embrace

By: Ms. Merly G. Ladrillo

I am Merly G. Ladrillo, from the province of

Pampanga. We are four siblings in the family. I am the 2nd to the youngest. My parents, Mr. Isidro Ladrillo and Nelly Ladrillo, worked hard for us to finish our studies. My father, who died in 1997, was a tricycle driver while my mother was a vendor selling kakanin in front of an elementary school, besides our family house. Their sacrifices and endurance for us did not go to waste. All of us earned a college degree. The hard work displayed by my parents has reinforced my desire to finish my studies. In March 2001, I finished college with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Computer Science from the University of the Assumption, Pampanga.

Like other young persons, there was an instance in

my life when I had to choose between my family and my work. At that time, I was working at Psalms Development. Foundation in Bataan as a case manager -- monitoring all cases of children. My main assignment in the foundation was to ensure effective case management of the beneficiaries under my areas of concerns. I was also involved in organizing major events of the foundation as an event organizer. I had built rapport with the children and their families and drew my

strength from them. This was perhaps the reason why I never felt homesickness even when I was away from my family.

Before the end of 2007, however, I was forced to

resign from my work due to family pressures. All members of my family wanted me to be reunited with them since I was the only member who was away from home. In my heart, it was so depressing thinking that I will be leaving soon my first love, my work. On the other hand, I cannot bargain my happiness to be with my family. It was a very difficult situation, to make a choice between two essential elements in my life.

In my previous work I had wonderful memories and

experiences that I cannot forget (e.g. parties, seminars, workshop, taking shortcut-walk in going to my assigned community, handling conflicts between co-staff, etc.). I gained knowledge from my co-workers, supervisor and even from the families and communities where I was assigned to. These were the experiences and enjoyments I had to leave for the sake of my family. I filed my irrevocable resignation and right away I went home to my family. My mother and siblings believed that there will always be a lot of opportunities for me here in Manila.

I was able to get a new job but I easily got bored. It

was very frustrating because the three times I applied for work and got hired, I could not find myself in the work that I do and the next move was to resign. Finally, God must have a reason because I found myself applying for a job with the SDC. I kept thinking why? And I myself answered my question: It is a job which is very much like in my previous job. In July 26, 2009, I got a message that I was being hired as an SDC staff. I felt blessed, thankful and excited to start my new journey with the SDC family.

As I go about my work, time passes by without my knowing it, and I enjoy what I am assigned to do. Serving the children is what I have always wanted to do. I was also a sponsored child of one of the non-government organizations (NGOs) in Pampanga. They helped me through my education since I was in high school until I finished college. It is a big help for me were I am now. I want to experience what my professor told me about “paying back.” I want to share all my blessings with the other needy people, especially children. Working with the SDC, I realized that God is so good that He brought me to the SDC for me to continue my journey in life serving the needy people.

Thank you SDC because you completed my dream:

to be of service to the needy and continue growing as a person. At the SDC, I have gained my confidence and helped other people to be empowered as future leaders in their respective communities. I am so thankful to be a part of the SDC family as I continue my life’s journey.

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Ang Hagupit May Akda: Doris P. Romero1

(Secretary of the Board of Trustees)

Nagigising sa iyak ni Totoy

si Nanay Luisa. Kalimitang nangyayari ito lampas hatinggabi. Kailangan yakapin ni Nanay Luisa ang anak bago ito tumahimik at makatulog muli. Si Totoy ay pitong taong gulang. Napansin ni Nanay Nena na

tuwing umaambon, si Rachel ay nanginginig at panay ang labas ng bahay upang tingnan ang kalangitan at kung gaano kakapal ang ulap. Agad itong ipunin ang kanyang gamit at ihanda sa isang tabi. Si Rachel ay walong taong gulang. Si Nenette ay muling napapaihi sa higaan mula ng pangyayaring iyon. Dalawang taon na mula ng hindi na kailangan sumuot ng diaper si Nenette dahil nakakaihi na ito sa kubeta kapag nakaramdam. Si Nenette ay anim na taong gulang. Ang mga batang ito ay ilan lamang sa tahasang nakaranas ng lupit ni Ondoy. Nakita nila ang pagtaas ng tubig hangang sa inanod ang kanilang mga gamit sa loob ng bahay. Sina Totoy at Rachel ay nakaranas pang umakyat sa bubong upang makaligtas sa rumaragasang tubig. Ang kanilang ipinapakita ay ilan lamang sa mga sintomas ng Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome o pagdanas ng troma. Ang direktang nakaranas ng pagbaha at mga kaakibat na paghihirap nito tulad ng pagkawala ng mga gamit, bahay pati na ng buhay ng mga kamag-anak o kapitbahay ay nagkapagdulot ng troma sa mga nakaranas nito, kasama na ang mga bata.

1 Doris is a child psychologist. She is the Secretary of the SDC Board of Trustees.

Ang mga karaniwan at kadalasang sintomas nito ay ang pabalik-balik na pagkatakot sa konsentrasyon, magambalang pagtulog, at pakiramdam na may kasalanan. Ang kalubhaan ng mga sintomas na ito ay nakasalalay sa antas ng tagal pagdanas ng nakakatromang karanasan, gulang, kasarian, pamamaraan sa pagharap sa mga karanasan, suportang nakukuha sa paligid at pakiramdam ng pagkakaisa o pagkilala sa namatay. Ngunit ang may pinakamalakas na epekto sa kung gaano kataas ng antas ng troma ng bata ay ang tahasang pagdanas ng nakakatromangkKaranasan. Halimbawa kapag mas matagal na naranasan ang nakakatakot na pangyayari, mas malala ang tromang naramdaman ng biktima. Paano pangangalagaan ang isang batang nakaranas ng nakakatromang karanasan? Pinakamahalaga ang emosyunal na suporta mula sa pamilya, kamag-anak at mga kaibigan. Mahalaga rin ang kaalaman ng kakayanang mangasiwa sa mga karanasang mayroong kaugnayan sa kapahamakan, pinsala o sakuna. Ang Kolehiyo ng Edukasyon ng Pamantasan ng Pilipinas ay kamakailan lamang nagsagawa ng panggrupong counseling sa mga batang nakaranas ng troma dulot ng bagyong Ondoy. Sa mga batang nag-aaral, maaring lumapit sa Guidance Office ng eskwelahan upang humingi ng tulong sa pagkakataong hindi na makayanang pangasiwaan ng pamilya o mga samahang tumutulong sa mga ganitong kaso tulad ng Philippine Mental Health Association.

Happy Birthday: KAMPAY

Leo - 28 July

Don - 2 August

Nora - 3 September

Jun A. - 4 September

Jun V - 14 September

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MY JOURNEY WITH SDC

By: Margie A. Dadovo

I was born and live in a place were dreams are almost

impossible to come true. Impossible in the sense that my family experienced lots of problems especially about money. I did not expect to become what I am right now. There were hindrances that almost ate up even the single hope I have treasured inside. Until Streetchildren Development Center, Inc. (SDC) came into my life. They opened up possibilities – they honed me to become somebody who can lead other children of the community from becoming street children, a situation that is rampant in Calbayog Street and Welfareville compound. I was very interested with all the seminars and workshops they gave us. I forgot being a loner and shy because of the activities that helped me to be more confident and friendly with my fellow children in Calbayog. I was able to become aware of my personal strengths and weaknesses. The joy and happiness I felt in attending multi-gender youth sessions helped me to become active and be a part of the Girl Child Development Program (GCDP). The blessings I received through SDC did not end there. They helped me all the way to finish my college education, one of my dreams that came true. My parents’ frustration in not seeing two of my older sisters finish college made them lose trust and hope on their younger children. At first, I just accepted the fact that I will be just like the community children in our barangay. No expressed ambition, content with the kind of living condition in the community, and pretending to be normal under a subhuman environment. Until I read a bible verse that says, “the plans I have for you are plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Together with ate Nerry’s encouragement, the SDC’s support gave me assurance and built my trust that God never fails to know and answer my deepest desire. I eventually entered St. Joseph’s College, Quezon City. Granted with full scholarship and free board and lodging, I felt very blessed. The SDC continuously supported me every time my family fails to pay for my miscellaneous fees and monthly allowance. They even advised me to be more open-minded and understanding with my dorm mates and colleagues whenever I get involved in some petty quarrels with

them. The school exposure taught me that we cannot please everyone. We need to compromise, stop complaining, and start the change from ourselves. I need to catch up with maturity urgently – to be steadfast in discipline and to maintain positive outlook in life. These are all part of the challenge. I graduated with full of confidence that I have a purpose. Right now, together with Emily Atienza, another former SDC girl child beneficiary, we tutor the mothers of Calbayog Street and Welfareville compound. The multi-gender youth of the places also avail themselves of the literacy sessions. It is our way of paying back and showing our deepest gratitude to SDC, the organization that helped us realize our dreams. MABUHAY ANG SDC!

MY J O U R N E Y

with S

D C