PAANC Newsletter
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
PAANC Newsletter Philippine-American Association of North Carolina, Inc. www.paanc.org 2020 Spring Issue PAANC AND THE YEAR 2020 “If you don’t like the way the world is, you change it. You have an obligation to change it. You just do it one step at a time.” --- Marian Wright Edelman Building upon last year’s momentum, the PAANC leadership hit the ground running this first quarter. We have been pursuing and establishing partnerships that enable us to achieve our common vision and boost our impact both in NC and in the Philip- pines. Here are some of the highlights from this quarter: Partnership with North Carolina Asian-Americans Together (NCAAT) on Civic Engagement: NCAAT is a nonprofit organiza- tion devoted to increasing the Asian-American and Pacific Islander representation and voice in North Carolina through build- ing up and motivating an electorate throughout the state. It sponsors youth leadership and community programs and work- shops, including US naturalization and citizenship, educational, and skills-building. Youth Involvement: PAANC continues to engage students from the various universities in the area, providing them with op- portunities to stay connected to their Philippine heritage through socio-cultural services and activities. We believe that engag- ing the youth is key to ensuring the longevity and vitality of our organization. Partnership with Bayanihan Filipino-American Association of Jacksonville, NC: This newly formed nonprofit organization has been remarkable in its determination to get off the ground. Its immediate response to PAANC’s Disaster Relief Appeal for Taal Victims was significant and quite impressive. We look forward to more collaborations with them in the near future. Partnership with PREDA Foundation: People’s Recovery, Empowerment Development Assistance Foundation (PREDA) is a 40-year old human rights social development organization in the Philippines. Its mission is “to promote sustainable develop- ment through fair trade and poverty alleviation.” PREDA provides direct action for abused children, rescues and protects them from abusive situations. Over 400,000 women are trafficked within the Philippines annually, and all over the world, over 10 million Filipino men, women, and children are subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor, according to the US State Depart- ment’s Human Rights Report. We felt it was time we did our part in combating this issue through this partnership and raising awareness. (More on PREDA Foundation’s work in this newsletter). Scholarship Program Expansion: This year, we are expanding our Scholarship Program to include high school candidates. This is made possible by a generous donor who wants to provide opportunities for high school students experiencing financial hardship to continue with their education. This is in addition to our 9 college level scholars in the Philippines and 2 in North Carolina. PAANC-Partners In Health: Our PAANC-PIH project has been laying the ground work for a viable, sustainable partnership with a local health clinic or facility in the Philippines. The goal is to enhance the facility’s quality, access, and delivery of health care to a targeted population. Ideally, this incorporates health education, nutrition, and integrative medicine in its program. Sustainability is an important aspect of this project as well. If successful, the plan is to replicate it in other areas of the Philip- pines. PAANC-PIH has identified a potential partner and we hope to formalize this partnership soon. Continued Support of Marawi through Caritas: Caritas is the social services and development arm of the Archdiocese of Ma- nila, they are continuing their efforts in rebuilding the lives of the displaced residents of Marawi City amid the ongoing war between government security forces and Muslim extremist groups. This is PAANC’s third year supporting this endeavor. We are indeed continuing to make an impact. All these initiatives and developments have given us a renewed sense of pur- pose. It has been an honor to serve alongside this team of volunteers who so willingly give of their time, talent and treasure. To the PAANC members, thank you for your unwavering support of this organization. Together, we are changing the world one step at a time. EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT Scholarship and Enrichment Programs HUMANITARIAN OUTREACH Disaster Relief and Advocacy CMM and Partners in Health CULTURAL PROMOTION & PRESERVATION Claire Rhoades Folk Dance and Filipino Choir PAANC Chair 2020 SOCIAL & RECREATIONAL SUPPORT Benefit Events and Tournaments ________ NOTES: 1. This article was submitted prior to covid-19 pandemic outbreak. Please refer to the CDC guidelines on corona virus. 2. Marian Wright Edelman is an American activist for children's rights. She has been an advocate for disadvantaged Americans for her entire professional life. She is founder and president emerita of the Children's Defense Fund. Op- ed: [Sharing a forward by friend Davey who has a friend who helps serve 80 to100 Life in the time of corona … people at their church every Friday even in these hard times, and who passed on to her the poem below.] by Linda McGloin, Publications Looking back to last December conjured visions and POEM in the time of covid-19 [From Brother Richard of the Capuchin Franciscans, March 13, 2020] messages, real and imagined, spoken and unspo- ken; and, perhaps also for many, meant culmination Lockdown looking at their neighbors or fruition of intents and resolutions made at the start Yes there is fear. in a new way of the year. So, January rolled in promising new be- Yes there is isolation. All over the world people are ginnings and resolve … another year of opportuni- Yes there is panic buying. waking up to a new reality ties; and as usual February leaped in flouncing saucy Yes there is sickness. hearts … love is in the air. Then, March roared in Yes there is even death. To how big we really are. frothing like an angry lion as covid-19 peaked and To how little control we really have. But, plateaued in April in New York and cases started To what really matters. They say that in Wuhan rising in North Carolina and the rest of the country. To Love. after so many years of noise Life will never be the same. you can hear the birds again. So we pray and we remember that And now it is May with still no end in sight, so we’re Yes there is fear. They say that after just a few stressed out learning coping skills as we binge-watch But there does not have to be hate. weeks of quiet, the sky is no on tv frontline health and service workers’ coura- Yes there is isolation. longer thick with fumes but geous efforts. We social distance and wear masks - But there does not have to be blue and grey and clear. the new normal in a health crisis, of living amidst an loneliness. invisible fast-spreading pandemic. They say that in the streets Yes there is panic buying. of Assisi, people are singing But there does not have to be What else to do? We look for leadership, initiative, to each other across the empty meanness. and solutions based on scientific data and research squares, keeping their windows Yes there is sickness. within the framework of a democratic system with open so that those who are alone But there does not have to be checks and balances. We all deserve to know the may hear the sounds of family disease of the soul truth, otherwise, all life as we know it, will return to around them. Yes there is even death. But there can always be nothingness. No exception—the great equalizer. They say that a hotel in the West a rebirth of love. of Ireland is offering free meals Greetings From Membership and delivery to the housebound. Wake to the choices you make Susan Serna, March 2020 as to how to live now. Today a young woman I know Today, breathe. Hello Everyone! is busy spreading fliers with her Listen, behind the factory noises I’m sure everyone is relieved coming out of winter number through the neighborhood of your panic and are enjoying spring-like weather. Most of us love so that the elders may have The birds are singing again Spring, I do too, but I do look forward to cooler someone to call on. weather, so Fall is my favorite. Most amazing view is The sky is clearing, atop the Blue Ridge mountains overlooking breath- Today churches, synagogues, Spring is coming, taking changing colors from golden to amber red. mosques, and temples And we are always encompassed But, back to Spring and speaking of changes … are preparing to welcome and by Love. shelter the homeless, the sick, Open the windows of your soul It’s now over a year since our Welcome Luncheon of the weary. 2019. So many things have happened, and continue And though you may not be able to happen with the world-wide covid-19 pandemic All over the world people are to touch across the empty square, shutting down events and activities, including our slowing down and reflecting Sing. PAANC Annual Welcome Luncheon 2020 scheduled All over the world people are March 21. Despite cancellation and other hurdles, we still would like to welcome our new members and CULTURAL CORNER: PAANC Folk Dance Group look forward to meeting all in person when it is safe Aurora Sprague, Cultural Arts Coordinator to hold events. We also look forward to discussing how members can get involved in committee work. Performances: Your feedback will determine how we can best serve Wendell Int’l Festival target communities in the Philippines and here in 09/25/2019 North Carolina. Clayton Int’l Festival For more information, we encourage everyone to 10/5/2019 follow us on Facebook and website.