Annual Report 2014 Message from the Executive Director The year 2013 was marked by powerful natural calamities, which were the catalysts for the collective effort of multiple peoples and nationalities to support and rebuild from the ruins. However, in 2014, although people were still beset by natural calamities, their experiences have fostered preparedness and a spirit of cooperation that has enabled them to face such trials and prevail. As with our nation, the past 27 years have been a kaleidoscope of experiences for Bahay Tuluyan. These have formed character of the organization and given it strength, resolve and a sense of purpose. We recognize 2014 as a test of our commitment as individuals and as an organization in standing up for the rights of children. Two cases in particular served to highlight the importance of our work. In April the Italian Ambassador to Turkmenistan was arrested on charges of child trafficking while holidaying in the Philippines. Then in October we helped to publicize the case of “Federico” in a Reception and Action Center (RAC) in Manila. Little did we know that the many years of working with children had given us strength and understanding, and had prepared us in many ways to deal with such situations. The year 2014 was also a time of new beginnings and pioneering initiatives, as we began our 4-year strategic plan. Ten strategic programs and services were laid out, goals were clarified and core values shared. We saw the leveling up of the programs and services of all three Bahay Tuluyan centers as they gained accreditation for the very first time. Furthermore, we set out our goal of self-funding at least 40% of operations, to be achieved through the acquisition of an additional 3.8 hectares of farmland for growing organic rice and developing a piggery for rearing organic native wild pigs. The first harvest of 239 sacks of rice, and the birth of eight piglets has provided its own motivation; the reward for a lot of hard work. It will also surely produce many new experiences for members of Bahay Tuluyan and be a meaningful inspiration in the years ahead. During the past year, staff had fewer training activities but were more occupied in facilitating training initiatives. At this point, our experiences will provide a platform on which we can share our expertise and the motivation to continue to give the best of ourselves. Once again we are pleased to report Bahay Tuluyan’s accomplishments in 2014 towards building a world where every child’s rights are respected, protected and fulfilled. Lily V. Flordelis, DMD Executive Director 2 Bahay Tuluyan’s Strategic Plan 2014-2017 This report marks the start of Bahay Tuluyan’s Strategic Plan for 2014-2017. As part of the process of developing a new strategic plan, Bahay Tuluyan refined its Vision, Mission, Goals, Values and Core Programs as follows: VISION Bahay Tuluyan is committed to building a world where every child’s rights are respected, protected and fulfilled. MISSION We are a children’s rights organization that works to prevent and respond to abuse and exploitation of children through the delivery of child-centered programs and services at the grassroots level, and dynamic collaboration with local and international partners for social development and change. VALUES - Rights-based framework - Professionalism and ethics - Children’s participation - Gender sensitivity - Non-discrimination - Good governance and integrity - Best interests of the child - Ecologically friendly - Equity and fairness GOALS From 2014 – 2017: 1. At least 90% of children involved in Bahay Tuluyan programs should demonstrate increased resiliency and decreased vulnerability to abuse and exploitation. 2. At least 75% of adults reached through Bahay Tuluyan’s programs should report that their knowledge and/or skills in protecting children from abuse and exploitation have increased. 3. Bahay Tuluyan is ethical, humane, socially responsible, culturally sensitive, and environmentally friendly, and is able to self-fund at least 40% of its operational costs. PROGRAMS - Emergency & Residential - Youth Leadership & Facilitation Shelter - Participatory Action Research - Bridge & Formal Education - Community Development - Mobile Unit - Local, National and - Drop In Center International Advocacy - Independent Living Skills - Self-reliance & Social Program Enterprise 3 Management Committee During 2014 the following employees NATIONAL served on the Management Committee of Bahay Tuluyan: Administration Executive Lily V. Flordelis, DSWD Accreditation Director DMD During 2014, all of Bahay Tuluyan’s Deputy Director Catherine Scerri, centers received Department of Social BA/LLB Welfare and Development (DSWD) Accreditation. Manila and Quezon Center Manager Anna Liza Samarita- were accredited to Level 1 while (Laguna) Aliwalas, RSW Laguna was accredited to Level 2. Admin. Officer Lecyl R. Suson, (Manila) RSW Board of Trustees The General Assembly of Members of Center Manager Jeniliza Sano, RSW Bahay Tuluyan was held on 11 Mar (Quezon) 2014. The Board of Trustees was elected as follows: General Assembly President Atty Herman A Children’s General Assembly was Cimafranca held on 15 March 2014, attended by 104 children. Vice President Sr Bernadette Oppus, SSpS Secretary Atty Sharon M. Decano Treasurer Sr Bernadette Oppus, SSpS Auditor Atty Sheila Sison-Javier Executive Dr Lily V. Flordelis Director Children’s Councils Strategic Management Team Leadership training was provided for During 2014 the following employees the officers of the Children’s Councils served as the Strategic Management from Manila, Laguna and Quezon from Team of Bahay Tuluyan: 3-5 October 2014. This training workshop was conducted in Executive Lily V. Flordelis, DMD partnership with volunteers from Director Macquarie University, Australia. Deputy Catherine Scerri, BA/LLB Director Center Anna Liza Samarita- Manager Aliwalas, RSW (Laguna) 4 Personnel • International Farmers’ The following personnel were part of Congress, Inagen 2014, SMX, Bahay Tuluyan’s National Office at the 5-6 Feb 2014 end of 2014: • Principles of Organic Farming, Behia, Tiaong, 1-2 May 2014 Position Employee • Organic Rice Production, Deputy Director Catherine Scerri, Behia, Tiaong, 21-22 Oct 2014 BA/LLB Executive Director Lily V. Flordelis, Employee of the Year DMD At the 2014 Christmas Party, Marvin Galay (houseparent) received the Special Projects Noel Alcaraz award for ‘Employee of the Year Officer (on leave at 2014’. 31 Dec 14) US Peace Corps Ben Burke Participatory Action Research volunteer (part-time) Sleeping Rough Survey The Sleeping Rough Survey was New and Outgoing Personnel started in 2012 as a ‘snapshot survey’ Ben Burke, a US Peace Corps and continued in February and volunteer, started working with the October (2013), and in January and national office in September 2014 on a September (2014). This survey aims one-year contract. to capture the number of people sleeping on the streets in Bahay Professional Development Tuluyan’s Area of Focus in Manila at Staff from the National Office particular periods in time. This project participated in the following was assisted by student volunteers professional development activities from Macquarie University, Australia. during 2014: Case Management Database • Study of NGOs and Children’s During 2014, Bahay Tuluyan Rights-based Approaches to continued to update and improve its Working with Street Children in electronic case management Manila – Preliminary Findings, database. At the end of 2014 the 17 Jan 2014, La Salle details of more than 800 children were University held on the database. • Human Rights from Morality to Law, 9-15 Apr 2014, University of Melbourne, Australia • Freedom of Speech, 12-18 Nov 2014, University of Melbourne, Australia • Realizing an Earth for Humanity, TDH-G National Research about Street Children Partners Meeting, Initao, Bahay Tuluyan cooperated with Love Misamis Oriental, 23-26 Apr 146 in the research it conducted 2014 concerning the situation of male • Forum on Bullying, 12 Dec children on the street. This study, 2014, hosted by PETA ‘Hidden in Plain Sight: Exploring the Vulnerabilities of Street Working Boys in Manila” was a baseline study of 5 sexually exploited male masseurs in Local, National and Metro Manila and was launched in International Advocacy October 2014. Children’s Rights Training Research into Street Families Bahay Tuluyan ran four workshops on As part of SENMAP (Street Educators the United Nations Convention on the Network of Manila ASMAE Partners), Rights of the Child (UNCRC) during Bahay Tuluyan worked with 2014. The 64 participants in these researchers to conduct a study about workshops were volunteers and street families and their needs and workers in the field of child protection, profiles. This study was launched on including police and barangay officials. 9 October 2014. The workshops were as follows: Research into Torture Several children from Bahay Tuluyan • 14 – 15 January – 18 participated in a research study participants conducted by Amnesty International • 19 July – 31 participants ‘Above the Law: Police Torture in the • 21 – 22 July – 15 participants Philippines’. This was launched on 2 • 18 – 19 September – 18 December 2014 with national media participants coverage. Throughout 2014 Bahay Tuluyan continued to distribute copies of its newest publication; ‘Junior Educators’ Manual: Children’s Rights Education for Children by Children’. Government and non-government organizations working with children were prioritized to receive copies of the manual.