Blessing of the VIDES Livelihood and Development Center for Women and Their Families

On November 20, 2016, ten months after we inaugurated the VIDES Livelihood and Development Center for Women and Their Families (LDCWF) and broke ground for the construction of the VIDES Bakery, we held the blessing of the completed facility.

The Center, which stands on a 107 square meter lot area, seeks to provide a venue for women empowerment, especially in the field of economic independence and sustainability.  The two-storey building houses a bakery, a sewing room, and a small office which will cater to microcredit and other livelihood projects.

The LDCWF shall provide livelihood opportunities for the former informal settlers from Barangay 143 in Pasay City who were relocated to Trece Martires in Cavite.  The more than 1,500 households have been bereft with viable sources of income due to the remoteness of the relocation site and the unavailability of job opportunities in the community.

  

VIDES Eat and Meet: Volunteers' Fair

The VIDES Eat and Meet: Volunteers’ Fair was held last Sunday, 27 November, at the Don Bosco School Sta. Mesa. 

The said event was a triple celebration held in connection with the 21st Anniversary of VIDES in the Philippines, the annual gathering of VIDES Pinoy volunteers, friends, and benefactors, and the advance observance of the International Volunteers’ Day.

VIDES Delegate Sr. Jojo Carrasco welcomed all attendees and related the significance of holding the annual Eat and Meet event.  An audio visual presentation about VIDES was shown, which was followed up by a quick discussion on the history of the organization, as well as its programs and activities.

Former Busina Mo, Dunong Ko participant and grantee of VIDES sholarship, Marian Belarmnio, shared an inspiring story on how she got to know VIDES, joined its activities, became an active volunteer, and finished her studies with the help of the organization.  Marian is one of the success stories of VIDES.  She recently graduated with latin honors (cum laude) from the University of the Philippines with a degree in Business Administration and now works in a commercial bank.    

Opportunities for volunteering in countries where there is Daughters of Mary Help of Christians or FMA presence was also introduced.   Atty Anna Theresa Cruz shared her experiences during her  three-month internship at the VIDES International Human Rights Office in Geneva, Switzerland.  Ms. Rosylyn Arnigo reminisced about the fun and enriching experience she had with the volunteers who attended the VIDES International Convention in Rome, Italy.  

A video presentation made by international volunteers, Ryan and Halle from Canada, and Judith from Germany, who are currently in Palawan was also shown.  Volunteers  Carine Cuinet from France and Roberto Manzoni from Italy also went on stage to share what they are doing for the marginalized sector in the country through VIDES Philippines.

Sr Jojo Carrasco also gave an update on the recently completed Livelihood and Development Center for Women and Their Families in Trece Martirez, Cavite.  The facility, which stands on a 107 square meter lot area, seeks to provide a venue for women empowerment, especially in the field of economic independence and sustainability.  The two-storey building shall house a bakery, a sewing room, and a small office which will cater to microcredit and other livelihood projects. 

During the event, VIDES also launched the “Raffle for a Cause”  fundraising project for the procurement of baking equipment and supplies for the VIDES Bakery  as well as sewing machines and other equipment for the Livelihood and Development Center. Sr Jojo explained that the sooner the equipment are provided, the sooner the center can operate to provide livelihood opportunities target beneficiaries.  She enjoined the attendees to support the fundraising project for the center.

That afternoon, volunteers  and guests enjoyed bonding and hopping from one booth to another.   Among the booths set up were the following: teddy bear making kiosk, paper flower-making and block stamping booth,  DIY photo booth,  gift booth, and VIDES history booth, and various food kiosks.  Jeph Suzara also entertained the guests with his rendition of popular songs.

VIDES volunteers also had an enjoyable time reminiscing and walking down memory lane as they pinned  photos on places they have been to because of VIDES on the Philippine map and the world map.   They also wrote their commitment on the VIDES Freedom Wall.  Lucky volunteers and guests who joined the question and answer game also took home Starbuck gift certificates and merchandise.

It was certainly not a lazy Sunday afternoon, but an afternoon of fun, bonding, sharing, learning, and making a difference. 

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We wish to thank the FMA community and DBS Sta. Mesa for always supporting the activities of VIDES Pinoy. 

Volunteers' Corner: Ryan, Halle and Judith in Palawan

Learn more about volunteering opportunities in Salesian communities.   Watch this  video produced by our Canadian and German volunteers.   

VIDES Eat and Meet: Volunteers' Fair

VIDES Philippines Volunteers Foundation, Inc. invites you to an afternoon of fun gathering, sharing, and  giving back to the community.

Meet our local volunteers & our friends from Germany, France, & Italy!  Learn about volunteering opportunities here & abroad, learn basic greetings in French & Italian, learn arts & crafts, and design handmade gifts for aeta kids in Pampanga.

Tickets for the event are prized at only P100.00 each!  For this minimal amount, you get to help us buy baking equipment for the VIDES Livelihood and Development Center.  Your ticket  already includes a food stub. Attendees to the event will get a chance to win Starbucks gift certificates and merchandise!

This event is open to the public. Bring your family and friends! No need for reservations. You may buy tickets at the venue. 

Join our VIDES Eat and Meet 2016: Volunteers’ Fair on Sunday, 27 November 2016, 1:00 to 5:00 pm at Don Bosco School Sta. Mesa, 3500 V. Mapa Extension, Sta. Mesa, Manila.  For more information, please contact us at 0915-2978956 or (02)715-6740.  

Learn.  Share.  Make Friends. Make a Difference. 

Back in Oriental Mindoro: Mangrove Planting in Baco and Volunteers' Bonding in Puerto Galera

We started our travel from Don Bosco School Sta. Mesa to Barangay Pulantubig, Baco, Oriental Mindoro in the wee hours of the morning of October 22. The volunteers had very little or no sleep at all so we tried to take advantage of the travel time to catch some shuteye.

After almost two hours of land travel, we reached Batangas Port where we broke our fast by sharing a simple meal of rice, boiled eggs, and hotdogs.

By sunrise, we excitedly hopped on a fast craft to Calapan. We reached the pier on or about 8:00 am where we were met by our Italian volunteer, Roberto, Tatay Lito Suzara, and Leng, our youngest volunteer. We immediately headed off to our mangrove planting site so we can reach the area before the tide went up.

We had to endure a bumpy, muddy ride to get to Barangay Pulantubig. Despite the lack of sleep, the volunteers seemed to have a boundless source of energy as there was endless chatter and a chorus of laughter every now and then.

We reached the mangrove planting site at around 9:00 am. From where we parked our vehicle, we walked for about 300 meters, crossed a makeshift bamboo bridge, waded into thigh-deep water (almost waist-deep for vertically challenged volunteers like me!), and trod through mud. Since it was already scorching hot and we had just about an hour or so before the water went up, we immediately started planting the mangrove propagules. We finished in no time since the volunteers already knew the terrain and the drill. Most of us, even the two kids, Vhon and Leng, had joined previous mangrove planting activities.

After planting all the propagules, we took the opportunity to inspect the mangroves previously planted by the volunteers. We were pleased to see that the trees that survived were already taller than some of us. We took souvenir photos and then proceeded to head back to the mainland as the water was already rising.