Talitha Kum! In June

Jesus’ word to the little girl of the Centurion Jarius in the Gospel ‘TALITHA KUM’ strongly resounded at the LAURA VICINA FOUNDATION INC.  This phrase has been very dear and loaded with meaning for the Foundation as our Institution’s battle cry is “We Give Hope a Home” juxtaposed with the “little girl, Arise” of Jesus Christ.  We have been consistent with our mission vision over the years, primarily for disadvantaged and at-risk children and young people.  And therefore, every step forward, be it small or big, is greatly valued and lauded.  Moreover, it is celebrated with much affirmation of the evident progress achieved not only by our young beneficiaries but even the tireless dedication of our staff in implementing our existing programs.

YES! It was a ‘little girl, ARISE’ month for all of us @ LVF!

• Moving Up and Graduation of the LVC Girls
• LVF’s #weareBUDDIES: BUILDING ALLIANCES IN THE GRASSROOTS!
• DOLE WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOR CULMINATING ACTIVITY!
• VISIT OF DON BOSCO MONDO PROJECT OFFICERS
• AN ARISE EXPERIENCE
• WEDNESDAY STOP-OVER WITH THE LORD: PASWI-COP

Moving Up and Graduation of the LVC Girls

Hats off to LVF’s seven (7) Scholars who are one step closer to reaching their dreams!

• Ms. Desiree Ligutan completed her grade 10 at UST Angelicum under its Re-entry Education Agenda for the Poor (REAP)Program;
• Ms. Jazlyn Narvadez, Grade 10, Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias-Negros Occidental;
• Four Senior High School (Accountancy, Business, and Management, & Computer Software Servicing) students – Ms. Edralyn Abia, Ms. Jessabelle Cos, Ms. Khayerale Leal, Ms. Pamela Santos;
• Ms. Chelsea Salera, who graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (BEEd) at CSAV)!

Ms. Abia and Ms. Cos graduated as academic awardees! “I am so happy because this only happens once in our lives!” said Edralin. Indeed, this significant milestone in their lives is like sweet chocolates in their taste buds! The sight of the event witnessed by the whole community of LVC with the girls, Sisters, and some of the Staff at CSAV, Negros Occidental was awe-inspiring.  Indeed, it has left an indelible effect on the younger ones who are still struggling to diligently study daily that after all the hard work, it will all be paid off. 
On the other hand, the Foundation indeed felt confirmed by all the hard work and efforts to continue to serve its clientele best. 

LVF’s #weareBUDDIES: BUILDING ALLIANCES IN THE GRASSROOTS

The Laura Vicuna Foundation, through her representative Ms. Mercedes Juncia has reached a total of eight hundred thirty-eight (838) attendees for her advocacy sessions on I am BRAVE (Buddies Reject Abuse, Violence, and Exploitation) with the following breakdown: six hundred seventeen (617) parents, ninety-three (93) women, fifty (50) from the essential ecclesial community and seventy-eight (78) youth. For the parents, they have advocacy sessions on these different dates: June 1 with 30 parents from Manapla, June 8 with 47 parents, June 16 with 100 parents and June 22 with 95 parents from Tortosa, June 23 with 250 parents from Purisima and June 29 with 95 parents from Sta. Teresa. This is in partnership with DSWD-Manapla. For the women, they have their sessions on June 20 with 55 barangay health workers from Brgy. Poblacion and 38 women from Brgy. Alicante for June 21. This is in partnership with DSWD-E.B, Magalona. On June 26, there was a session with 50 from the essential ecclesial community of San Diego Parish, Silay City. As for the youth, 28 coming from the Central Manapla Youth Federation were given a session on June 5, while 50 were given a session on June 25 at Brgy. Magsaysay, Cadiz City. Most of the issues tackled were an eye opener for these participants. Others raised some questions. Some shared some insights too. These were the sharings: a barangay captain said that after the sexual abuse done to these people, one turned to be a lesbian, and another became a prostitute. Another nurse said there is a need to stop the culture of shame happening to these people by educating them. One said that her friend’s daughter posted nude pictures on their wall with her boyfriend. Her dignity was trampled, but she survived since she was now in Manila studying. One hacked her computer, and her nude pictures were circulated. She reported it to NBI but was told they could not do anything about it because they could not locate the IP address. Lastly, regarding domestic violence. They are afraid to report these cases and ask the help of the social worker how to do it. The sessions were very enriching. There were some difficulties that the social worker experienced, like riding a ‘habal-habal’ or motorcycle on muddy and rough roads and having no sound system, but these things were not a hindrance to her. These sessions gave her fulfillment.

#FOLLOW YOUR DREAM

After two and a half years of doing virtual sessions of Follow Your Dream(FYD), the Laura Vicuna Foundation (LVF) was able to conduct two sessions in Negros Occidental with one hundred two (102) participants. One is at Manapla Gymnasium last June 14, 2022, with fifty (50) youth coming from our 4Ps beneficiaries, and in Balas Daku, Escalante, on June 19, 2022, with fifty-two (52) B.S. Psychology students of Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias, one of our youth advocates, discussed the Bawal Bastos Act. All of these were facilitated by our LVF youth advocates. One of the attendees shared that she admired her mother the most because, as a single parent, her mother has done so much for them. One sharer also said that her goal in life is to get out of her comfort zone and be the person God wanted her to become.

DOLE WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOR CULMINATING ACTIVITY!

On June 27, 2022, LVF participated in the 2022 World Day against Child Labor Culminating Activity organized by DOLE-NCACL (National Council against Child Labor) at Ichikawa Hall, OSHC, Diliman, Quezon City. As one of the councils and an organization that supports its programs in the elimination of Child labor in the Philippines, LVF provides administrative support based on the needs and capacity. This activity also served as a platform for inter-agency dialogue vs. Child labor, which was participated by different stakeholders from national agencies, local government units, the private sectors, and international partners who focused on various initiatives on various issues in the prevention and elimination of child labor.  LVF has a life-long commitment to its mission of empowering and protecting children from the different forms of abuse. This problem of Child labor that deprives children of their childhood, potential, and dignity as a person needs to be eliminated. It can only be achieved with the support and participation of different stakeholders, especially society.

VISIT OF DON BOSCO MONDO PROJECT OFFICERS

Last June 11, 2022, the Laura Vicuna Foundation Inc., Cubao, was visited by Don Bosco Mondo representatives, Mr. Sebastian Schuster and Mr. Steffan Carl Marziniak, accompanied by Sr. Aurora Roble, FMA FMA Provincial head of all TVET Centers.  They were warmly welcomed by Sr. Analyn Guerrero, FMA, with Ms. Joseilyn Hugo, RSW, and Ryan Azucena, RSW.  They were toured in the house especially showing them the different types of equipment they have given the Center; most significant was the Solar Power System for our residential home, heavy-duty baking mixer, and online equipment such as laptops, vlogging microphones, and ring lights.  Another valuable help granted to us by Don Bosco Mondo was the educational and financial assistance for the girls that would assure their continued quality education for them.  And as they visit the Center, they are trying to identify other needs where they can be of help; they interviewed Ryan Azucena on the Solar Power System and other points about their visit.  One striking thing that happened during their visit was when they saw the lecture board used by our social workers to educate our girls on Sustainable Development Goals; both visitors complimented the foundation for a real job well done for our young people.  To Don Bosco Mondo, we look forward to more projects done together for the  young!  Viva Don Bosco.

AN ARISE EXPERIENCE

I am Danah (not my real name), 19 years old, a resident of the Laura Vicuna Center, Cubao; I have been in the Center for four years. I want to share my ‘ once-in-a-lifetime experience in Victorias, Negros Occidental, this month of June.  I hope I will be allowed to speak not only on my personal ‘take’ on this experience but also on speaking for my companions in residence—the Sisters, headed by Sr. Marivic Sta. Ana, FMA painstakingly tried to find means to give the 7 of us the possibility of attending the onsite graduation at the Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias (CSAV). I am proud to know that I will be graduating with High Honors! My heart is filled with so much joy to have the opportunity to meet my classmates and other students as well from different strands, in person, after attending the online classes! It was nice to belong to a big, prestigious school like CSAV.  I, for my part, was so excited and nervous because it was my first time going out of Manila, so it was for us all, Vicunians.  I am most grateful to the STA.ANA FAMILY for making our stay in Negros very memorable, and indeed, a ‘once in a lifetime – significant event of my life, not to mention that all, ‘as in’ all were given for FREE, from transportation, food, accommodation, grand vacation at the beach and all our other needs.

Staying together is not new to us anymore as we are all residents of the Center. Our bonds were made stronger during this vacation by literally praying, living together under one roof, and doing advocacies together. Yes, we were prepared to go around towns and villages in Negros with our Social Workers. I feel like I am sent for a mission, to do a mission among my fellow youth.  These tasks made me overcome shyness and try a little harder to go out of myself and became an encouragement to others.  I  began to see life in a broader view; I’ve realized that we, young people are just the same, speaking one language, sharing similar experiences, and aspiring for more incredible things in life.  I felt my spirit being lifted above my fears and tears. This is one experience I treasured most.

We all know that staying near the sea for quite a long time has many health benefits; this is also true with the soul’s health. I loved our prayers and meditation at the seashore to start the day. I am excited about going for a swim, playing, riding the kayak, and staying by the beach. I felt solace, calm, and consolation.  I gradually opened my soul to the healing power of God through nature.  Prayer became ‘silent’; it is just being there with the Lord, being present with Jesus, and going through my life experiences with Him.  This brought me to ‘inner healing’; I have seen hard truths in my life in the light of faith.  In our moments of reflection, God showed me how to forgive, RISE above all pains, and LIVE, not just exist.

Endless thanks to the Laura Vicuna Foundation Inc., to our Mother Provincial, Sr. Tita Padron, FMA, who allowed us to go to Negros.  To Sr. Marivic, our ‘mother’ in the Center, to the Sisters, Staff, and my companions, and again and again and again to the STA. ANA FAMILY, may our Good Lord Bless you more.

WEDNESDAY STOP-OVER WITH THE LORD: PASWI-COP

The Philippine Association of Social Workers Inc. (PASWI) continues to be a sacred space every Wednesday night with its Circle of Prayer (COP)! The PASWI-Pampanga Chapter led the group to pray for three Wednesdays focusing on Leadership, One-of-a-kind resiliency, Victory of a servant leader, and Empowerment, taking the first letters of each focus, which will give the word LOVE! Sir Ronnel Golimlim emphasized that LOVE motivated them to continue doing what they are doing-helping people! The University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (Bacolod City, Neg. Occ.)  Sowing Legacy Movement In.-Social Work Department co-hosted the first Wednesday of the month! Each is sharing their journey as a person, as a professional, and as a believer who is anchored to God. Indeed, every Wednesday is a stop-over with the Lord.