Accomplishments 1999 - 2000

Educational Activities

     Education in the Philippines is becoming costly. Even in government run schools, parents have to pay for their children's tuition fees and to provide for their school needs (e.g., school bag, uniforms, notebooks, pencils, etc.)

Accomplishment

• 84 CDP children have access to primary education and 164 access to secondary education.

• Of the 250 sponsored children, 14 graduated in grade school while 9 completed secondary education. Out of the 9 high school graduates, 3 pursue college through CVSF (Child Vocational Scholarship Fund) program. Two graduated in college and are now gainfully employed as an accountant and as an advertiser.

• About 70% improvement in attendance of parents as to FHI CDP activities & meetings. 25% of 250 CDP children received school recognition and merits for excellent school performance. Links with teachers and parents helped solved problems among slow learner children.

Health Activities

     CDP sponsored children received their annual medical and dental check-up. Children in poor communities are deprived of their health needs, the reason why most of them are suffering from diseases which are preventable in nature. CDP provides poor children the chance for medical and dental check-up so that they could grow as healthy individuals. Added to this, FHI has been conducting supplemental feeding to sponsored children, conducting weight monitoring and providing children heath classes.

Accomplishment

• 250 CDP children received medical check-up.

• 80 CDP children had their teeth extracted while 100 children availed prophylaxis treatment.

• 150 children learned to care for their bodies because of improved hygiene practices and health lectures conducted.

• 80 CDP children were noted to attending Saturday CDP Bible studies in clean clothes manifesting improvement in their personali-ties.

Spiritual Nurture

     FHI CDP engaged children in weekly Bible study classes. Added to this, FHI in partnership with a local Christian church conducts annual Daily Vacation Church School (DVCS), evangelism and leadership training for the children. The parents likewise are engaged in spiritual nurturing activities and family enrichment seminars.

Accomplishment:

• 58 CDP children voluntarily accepted the Lord Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior as a result of various activities like camping and church confirmation classes conducted by church pastor.

• 110 non-sponsored children participated in the annual Daily Vacation Church School.

• 150 CDP children to date received their copies of the old and new Testament Bible.

• 10 CDP youth were trained as Bible study teachers and are now teaching the young children.

• 40 CDP parents after the spiritual retreat, showed changed Christian values(such as believing in Jesus as the ultimate means of forgiveness of our sins as opposed to self -sacrificed beliefs).

• Evangelistic rally started. This has been encouraging other members of the community to hear the word of God. Some parents expressed that their burdens become bearable after sharing and praying to others.

• 12 live-in couples were solemnized in marriage by church pastor. This resulted to a more solid relationship between husband and wife and as parents to their children.

• 250 CDP children attended the Bible studies and values formation, while 80 CDP children learned how to pray and to lead prayers in a group, know how to read the bible and memorize 5 verses every meeting on Saturday Bible study classes.

• 30 CDP children have developed talent for singing and are now members of FHI/Phils. children's choir, they sing now in church services.

• Family enrichment seminar was attended by 50 couples as a result 10 couples better improved communication between father and mother, and parents to their children clear understanding of parental role and become responsible.

Special Events

     CDP conducted an annual celebration of Everybody's birthday celebration and Christmas Program. In said occasions, CDP children received birthday gifts from their sponsors. The joy of the season becomes meaningful to the children as they celebrate the birthday of Jesus. CDP center conducts Christmas program attended not only by CDP children but also of their parents and their family members.

Accomplishment

• 250 children were very delighted to receive blanket as their birthday gift from their sponsors.

• 15 newly sponsored children said this is the first time that they celebrated their birthdays with cake and balloons.

• Cihristmas program - We thank God for His blessings as CDP members, children and their family members received two food baskets: one (1) for Christmas and one (1) for New Year. Each child was provided with new clothes/or shoes.

CDP Related Projects

For the year 1999 FHI was able to assist the communities to meet the health problems identified by the residents. Three CDP community projects have been accomplished through the following activities: construction of 9 units of water sealed toilets and distribution of 89 water containers to families with no steady supply of water. The problem of health and sanitation were addressed.

Greetings from the Staff

A warm Christian greeting From: Central

 We praise God for people like you who are mindful of the welfare of others, especially of those in need.

Pandacan is one with many depressed communities in the City of Manila. High incidence of malnutrition was noted to children ages 2-6 years old. Most people in the area become unproductive, engaging in different kind of vices. High rate of employment among family heads lead to social problems such as alcoholism, gambling and addiction. Most of the women are engaged in street vending, laundry work and doing domestic help in order to earn a living.

 FHI CDP Center Central is in partnership with the United Methodist Church in implementation of CDP. It has gone through a long way of sharing the love of Jesus Christ to CDP children and their families who are in the need of assistance. FH CDP staff works hand in hand with church members and leaders in the area to solve the identified needs and problems in the community.

 The year 1999 has been a year of blessings in spite of economic crisis. Let us continue to work together to share the love of God to all people that they might have the life in all its fullness.

 Thank you and God empower you with His abundant grace.

 We praise God.
Elvie Almodiel
CDP Field Staff