by mir321

June 2021 News

JUNE Delights @ LVF 

June connotes freshness as it ushers the next half of the year.  It is an invitation to recall what has happened in the first half of the year and offers new opportunity to improve the coming last half. One of the birth-flowers of June is the honeysuckle; it symbolizes letting go of the past and most significantly being fully present in the here and now; which aptly affirms our E News title JUNE DELIGHTS.  To be most present in the “here” is to delight in whatever the “now” offers. For this month of June we delight in … 

  • the UST Angelicum REAP exams of our YS Learners
  • the active participation of the LVF in the World Day Against Child Labor Celebration
  • the Independence Day observance facilitated by the Big Heart Volunteers
  • the well-deserved vacation of our UST Angelicum learners which gave way to the Bread and Pastry Contest
  • PASWI (Phil. Association of Social Workers, Inc.) webinar on Strengthening the Management, Operation and Oversight of Bahay Pag-Asa and other residential facilities for Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL)

LVF Joins the 2021 World Day Against Child Labor Celebration 

LVF child advocates, Ms. Hannah and Ms. Desiree, joined the three day Training on Children and Youth Advocates Against Child Labor spearheaded by the Department Of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and International Labor Organization (ILO) on June 17-19, 2021. This training aimed to deepen the understanding of children and youth participants on Child Rights and Child Labor, enabling them to become partners in the advocacy against child labor in schools and the communities. “Ang natutunan ko po sa aking pag attend sa training ay mas nabigyang kahulugan at linaw: ang pagkakaiba ng child labor sa child work pati na ang sampung karapatan ng bata at ang kalakip na responsibilidad nito. Ako’y nagagalak sapagkat ako po’y nabigyan ng pagkakataon na “Makibahagi, Makialam, at Magkaisa para sa #BatangMalaya!” said Hannah. (What I learned during the training is that I deepened my understanding of the difference between child labor and child work, also, I have widened my knowledge on children’s rights and the responsibilities it entails. I was so glad to be given the chance to Share, Get Involved and Take Part for #BatangMalaya!”). Furthermore, Desiree also shared “…every child needs to know their rights. I am hopeful that in 2025 and for the years to come, child labor will end so that children may live in a safe environment.”

The Girls also shared in the group LVF’s activities that they enjoyed and at the same time, very educational and practical. They also expressed their desire to re-echo their learning’s from the three day webinar to their fellow Vicuñans and to the community as well. According to the DOLE press release report, “Hundreds of millions of girls and boys throughout the world are engaged in work that deprives them of adequate education, health, leisure and basic freedoms, violating their rights. Of these children, more than half are exposed to the worst forms of child labor such as work in hazardous environments, slavery, or other forms of forced labor, illicit activities such as drug trafficking and prostitution, as well as involvement in armed conflict.” (Text taken from the International Labor Organization (ILO) website). Indeed, combatting Child Labor is moving mountains. It still is one of the greatest challenges and pressing problems we face until today. #ActNowToEndChildLabor

LVF MANAGING DIRECTOR AS RESOURCE SPEAKER @  JUNE  PASWI WEBINAR

June 8-10, 2021 PASWI National organized a Webinar entitled Strengthening the Management, Operation and Oversight of Bahay Pag-Asa and other residential facilities for Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL).  On June 10 at 2:30 in the afternoon, Sr. Marivic P. Sta. Ana, FMA gave an input to 800 Social Work participants in the said webinar with the topic:  “Understanding the Benefit of Spiritual Wellness and Learn How to Engage Clients to Spiritual Learning.” She started by acknowledging the very “Good Job” each and every participant had been doing in their respective areas as service providers, educators, formators of their clients. She affirmed the valid contribution that each one gave in giving hope to the children and youth in conflict with the law and highlighted too the great need for them to nurture their spiritual life and encouraged them to make a personalized Wellness plan for a healthier, holier life. In the second part of her input, she introduced Don Bosco and the System of Education he pioneered known as the Preventive System. Don Bosco believed that in each young person lies an innate goodness that needs to be discovered and developed; young people can only be helped if they feel and know that they are loved and accepted as in a typical family ambient. Reason, Religion and Loving Kindness are the three pillars of the Preventive System which directly appeal to the young’s cognitive, affective and spiritual well-being. Sr. Marivic’s input was well appreciated by the participants through the flood of affirmations in the chat box. “Wellness plan is a must for us service providers as we cannot give what we do not have.  The wellness wheel you have given us is a big help for us to start our own.”  “Positivity is the key to wellness and wholeness”  “Reason, Religion and Loving Kindness will surely work for the Children in Conflict with the Law, we give the reason as to the ‘why’s’ of life, religion as God as their only healer and loving kindness which most of them rarely experienced.” “Appreciation, love and tenderness are the key to engage our clients to change and conversion”  Sr. Marivic in her humility attributed all successes and triumphs to Jesus and His Most Sacred Heart for we are all finite but God can to all things for us.


LVF ONLINE ADVOCACY SESSIONS 

The Laura Vicuna Foundation (LVF) has reached seven hundred seventy two (772) children, youth and families during its online advocacies to fight child trafficking and online Catechesis for the month of June.

LVF’s INITIATIVE TO FIGHT TRAFFICKING #LIFTS

Child trafficking is one of the major forms of violating children’s rights, subjecting them to forced labor with very little or no pay at all, exposing them to harm and putting them at risk of physical, mental and emotional abuse. It is a global issue that needs collaborative efforts between Government Organizations (GO’s), Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s), Non-government Organizations (NGO’s), private individuals and families. As a preventive approach, LVF takes its advocacy to Fight Trafficking seriously. This week LVF has reached three hundred thirty nine (339) children, youth and families in Hillcrest, Judge Jimenez, Marikina, and Taguig facilitated by Mr. Ryan Azucena, LVF Social Worker, through Google meet. This awareness raising sessions help the participants to have an idea of what child trafficking is, how it occurs, its effects, and how and whom to report.

VIRTUAL CATECHESIS ON THE GO 

Four hundred thirty three (433) children, youth and family from Brgy. Pinagkaisahan, Culiat, and Botocan joined the LVF’s virtual catechesis facilitated by Sr. Teresita C. Mislang, FMA. This activity is part of the LVF’s evangelization efforts to reach out to young people and instill in them spiritual and moral values strengthened by love and compassion for humanity.

LVF CELEBRATES INDEPENDENCE DAY with the BIG HEART FOUNDATION 

Big Heart Volunteer Group (BVG) held a virtual outreach session via Google meet with Laura Vicuna Center, Cubao last 12 June 2021. The activity was: “Design your canvas pouch using fabric paint.”  The theme was “Independence Day” in line with the celebration of the 123rd anniversary of Philippine Independence. Each participant was asked to depict her own concept of Independence/Freedom in the form of a drawing/painting. The session started with an Opening Prayer followed by an icebreaker game in the form of a Q & A session. The questions were related to Philippine history such as symbolism of the Philippine flag and a few facts about President Emilio Aguinaldo etc. There was also a short discussion about the Declaration of independence on 12 June 1898 (the what, when, where, how and why) and the chronology of events from 1898 up to the time we earned our freedom from the American colonizers on 04 July 1946 . While the Vicuñans were working on their bags, Tiktok videos were played in the background to keep them inspired. After everybody had finished painting, some of them showed their groove by dancing to the tune of Tiktok videos of their choice. “We indeed had a wonderful time with the Vicuñans. We were very happy to be given an opportunity to connect and share our time, talent and treasure with them. We saw our younger selves in them. It is our ardent desire that they grow up to become successful, God-loving and responsible citizens in the future. All praise and glory to God!.”  -Bernadette Auralio (Big Heart Volunteer officer)  Big Heart Volunteer Group or BVG was founded in August 2016. It holds monthly outreach activities, both community and shelter-based, all over Metro Manila and has two provincial chapters namely BVG Mindoro and BVG Batangas. BVG’s membership grew in size over time, that is, from 5 members to around 41 members as of this writing. The members belong to different age groups – kids, teens, yuppies and even senior citizens. Aside from holding art sessions for children and youth, BVG also conducts Zumba sessions, organizes sports clinic competition, holds relief operations, carries out feeding projects and hosts virtual outreach sessions in different orphanages/shelters. BVG continues its mission to be God’s channel of blessing through the member’s generosity of time, talent and treasure for God’s greater glory. 

VACATION MODE @ LVC 

There is nothing healthier, tastier and better than homemade buns, doughnuts, pizzas from scratch, pianono galore! Yes, the LVF girls are now making doughnuts and pizzas! All these were made with their bare hands! Patience!. It takes a lot of patience to knead the dough but the girls were determined to make various pastries to decorating, plating and presenting their products.  It does not only look good but it also tastes good! The Vicuñans enjoyed very much and learned a lot form this activity. “Dahil sa ginagawa namin ito, natutunan kong lutuin ang mga dating hindi ko alam. Natutunan kong mag-adjust sa mga ka-grupo ko at ang makisalamuha sa kapwa.” Sabi ni Vicky. (“I learned to cook foods that I did not know how to do it before. Also, I learned how to adjust with my group-mates so that we get along well.”) Natutunan kong magtiyaga kahit mahirap. Nakakapagod po magmasa pero masarap naman ang kinalabasan ng niluto namin. Masaya po.” said Phine while chuckling.(I learned how to be patient. Kneading is so tiresome but the outcome of what we cooked was delicious and we’re happy.) Thanks to Divine Providence that the Sisters and Staff are always inspired to introduce something new, educative and innovative for the girls.  With this month long activity we have seen their eagerness to acquire new skills, harness their abilities and challenge their capabilities to improve.  The Vicuñans value better relationships among themselves and become helpful to each other more that winning the competition.  We are grateful that creativity knows no bounds and the passion for learning and growing keeps on reinventing itself.

UST Angelicum REAP Learner’s Exams 

Last June 5, 2021 the LVC girls took the UST Angelicum REAP Exams to move ahead in their YS Level.  We will never tire of posting these little achievements, baby steps that will lead them to reach their goals and finish their studies. Keep it up Vicuñans