Annual Report 2010 4055 Yague Street, Barangay Singkamas, 1204 Makati City, Philippines Phone: + 63 (2) 895 5260 / 897 2584 • Fax: + 63 (2) 895 5232 Email: [email protected] • www.virlanie.org In Focus: The Philippines 1 VISION In Retrospect: The Year 2010 Empowered children for a brighter future. 2 One on One with Dominique Lemay MISSION 4 To take care and look after the children in need of special protection. Statistics 2010: Virlanie’s Children 5 GOAL The Roadmap: Program Synopsis Extend developmental services to children 6 allowing them to become self-reliant, productive, independent individuals Reception and Action Center using a family atmosphere and 7 reintegration into normal community life. In the Field: Outreach Programs 9 Story Outline: The Child Empowerment Framework 13 Affiliations Inside Story: Residential Programs 14 Virlanie is… Support Programs Registered with the Philippines’ Securities 20 and Exchange Commission Programs Toward Sustainable Living Licensed and recognized by the Philippines’ 22 Department of Social Welfare and Development Financials 24 An accredited member of: Passion for the Mission The Philippine Council for NGO 26 Certification [Virlanie is a donee institution. The Virlanie Team Local donations are tax deductable.] 27 Ayala Foundation USA (AFI USA) [AFI VIrlanie Exposed USA is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit. Donations to Virlanie made in the USA, through AFI USA 28 are tax deductable.] Empowering children and communities through IGP Association of Child Caring Agencies of the 29 Philippines Local Council for the Protection Get More Involved with Virlanie/ About the Sponsors and of Children (Makati City) 30 their Support Overseas Network 31 Commitment to the Cause of Street Children: Acknowledgement 32 Onward to 2011 33 Editorial Note A magazine is a collection of stories, pictures, and articles. It is a timeless piece of reading material that is directed towards the general public. Virlanie Foundation’s 2010 Annual Report is a magazine which showcases the accounts that made the previous year worth reading and keeping. In Focus: The Philippines An archipelago gifted with abundant natural re- • 30% of children under five years old are under sources and picturesque landscapes, the Philippines weight. Among school children, 20% are under is a testimony to nature’s beauty and diversity. Yet weight.2 upon closer inspection, behind this facade lies a plethora of economic and social problems – with no • 4 million of the 25 million children ages 5–17 are real solution in sight. involved in child labor According to a report in a daily newspaper, 36.4 Moreover, a report from the United Nations million Filipinos live below the national poverty Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization line, subsisting on less than $1.34 (only PhP60) a day. (UNESCO) states that there are around 1.5 million street children in the Philippines. One hundred In spite of this, the population of the Philippines thousand (100,000) of them can be found in Manila continues to grow. In 2010, there were approximately alone. 94 million Filipinos in the country; about 6 million of whom were unemployed. A growing number are One non-government organization in the Philippines underemployed: 19.6% according to the National is noteworthy in terms of its approach to reaching out Statistics Office in 2010. and caring for street children. That organization is Virlanie Foundation, Inc. In a country where 35% of the population is under 14 years of age, child poverty is one of the key challenges 1 (http://smoregasborgs.multiply.com/journal/item/29/NATIONAL_ SITUATION_ALARMING) it is facing. The situation of Filipino children is tragic: 2 (http://67.225.139.201/cagayan-de-oro/more-half-filipino-children- donot-drink-milk) 3 (UNICEF, 2010) • Only one in five children aged 3-5 years old has access to day care or preschool services. Only 40% of Filipino children are able to finish high 1 school. VIRLANIE ANNUAL REPORT 2010 1 In Retrospect: The Year 2010 2010: Values. Innovations. Celebration. 2010 was a milestone year for Virlanie Foundation because it turned 18 years old. In the non-profit sector of In 2010, the Philippines once again expressed its the Philippines, this was quite a feat. Not many charities longing for change as it chose a leader, not so much working for street children had been around for this for his background and experience in the political long and grown to the size of Virlanie. arena, but more for the fact that he represented the hope of good governance. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino It was not just a year to celebrate but to look inward III, the son of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and President and further strengthen the foundation. Corazon Aquino, was elected 15th President of the Philippines. At the core of Virlanie’s mission are its values: It was the first time the Philippines had held com- Love and respect for children, integrity, spirituality, puterized elections. Gone were the days of waiting professionalism, creativity, teamwork and integrity. for the proclamation of a winner. This was not to say the elections were free from violence, or accusations of Virlanie celebrated its 18th year by re-committing to cheating and controversy. Nevertheless, it was a first. its values and ensuring their promotion among its children and young adults. In June and July, the staff As he took his oath in the middle of the year, the coun- and volunteers participated in a Values Re-Orientation try looked forward with hope to President Noynoy’s Workshop. six-year term. 2010 was also the year Virlanie began the internal innovations that were previously planned. Virlanie envisioned a program that would provide young adults the opportunity to prepare for full independence– the program: LIFE (Living Independently for Full Empowerment). The idea of a Foster Care Program for young children also came to mind. The clustering of programs and homes to better serve the children and young adults began to take shape. On its 18th year, Virlanie had reasons to celebrate. From its humble beginnings as a single street program and one residential home, Virlanie grew to include: 12 homes designed for specific cases – abused, children in conflict with the law, mentally challenged, abandoned, neglected and poor – all to care for street children; two support programs to ensure the educational and psychological development of the children; a program to reunify them when possible; one to hone their artistic, musical and sports talents and another to provide them skills to help young adults get employed. There are also three programs in the street and in urban poor communities which are at the service of street children and their families. Amidst this growth, Virlanie continues to be present at the Reception and Action Center daily. 2 ANNUAL REPORT 2010 VIRLANIE Dominique seated with the then soon-to-be Vice President Jejomar Binay and President Benigno Aquino III. File Photo. July 17, 2010 was a day of celebration with friends. The theme: UNMASKING. Unmasking of the problematic phenomenon of street children and who they really are, Virlanie and its continuous commitment to children who are in need of special protection, and Dominique Lemay, the man behind the unwavering commitment of Virlanie. Virlanie felt that the true cause for celebration was not only its longevity at the service of street children, but also the impact it has made on their lives. It showcased the success of its children and young adults. The Virlanie Children’s Choir performed for the audience and was a testament of Virlanie’s Virlanie staff during their Values Training in July 2010. commitment to helping children develop their talents and giving them opportunities to express themselves. Through an exhibit, Virlanie told the story of Vicky who is now a teacher; Johnny who now is a baker and has a stable job; Raffy who is now an architect; the story of JJ who spent most of his time in a wheel- chair but is now walking and running freely; and Cheng who was involved in snatching and use of illegal substances but is now one of the best students in his class. These stories, as well as the many more “unmasked” and untold stories of the children and young adults who have been helped by Virlanie, were perfect reasons to celebrate 2010. Johnny, one of Virlanie’s successes. VIRLANIE ANNUAL REPORT 2010 3 One On One with Dominique Lemay Virlanie Founder and President French social worker, Dominique Lemay founded Q: How has the situation of street children Virlanie Foundation 18 years ago (1992). Since then, progressed? Virlanie has grown from having one home to 12 homes A: Before, it used to be just street children, now it’s and 13 programs. He has lived in the Philippines for street families. There are adults who have been living 23 years and has made the cause of street children his in the streets for more than 10 or 20 years. They have very own. children of their own and do not know any other life except the life in the streets. Q: Why the Philippines? A: This is where I was sent to do research and where Q: What has been most challenging about the I fell in love with the children and saw the need and mission? developed the passion to be with them. A: The big challenge is that we have not seen a long term comprehensive solution from the government. Q: Why street children? This makes it challenging because we, and other A: They are the poorest of the poor and the most agencies, want to work in the same direction but it is vulnerable. They are not just materially poor. Many of very difficult. Maybe with this new administration, we them are unloved and uncared for by their parents— will see a change.