Jo Tankers Officials Visit Pasay BMDK

Voice of VIDES Choir and VIDES Happy Feet Dancers
render a special performance.  VIDES Volunteers and BMDK children
 sing and dance to welcome the special guests

Last December 13, Pasay's Busina Mo, Dunong Ko children were blessed to have met officials and representatives of the Philippine office of Jo Tankers, a Norwegian firm which provides deep-sea transportation services for chemicals and other high value liquids. 

The company, one of the major benefactors of VIDES Philippines, donated the first Busina Mo, Dunong Ko Mobile Library in May 2006.  It continues to provide financial support for the operations of the Mobile Education Project, which brings education and joy to hundreds of underprivileged children in Metro Manila five days a week. 

Thank you very much, Capt. Alinea, Capt. Johan Isaken, Capt. Balsamo, Ms. Angie and Ms. Mabel! 

Project Lakbay Aral Brings BMDK Students to Las Farolas

VIDES kids with Project Lakbay Aral donors and volunteers

Last December 1, Project Lakbay Aral*,brought a busload of VIDES Philippines' Busina Mo, Dunong Ko underprivileged students to Las Farolas, a freshwater aquarium facility located in Frontera Verde, Ugong, Pasig City. 

Sixty-two students from NIA Road, Quezon City and Pasay City went on a guided tour of the 2-storey living museum which features 117 giant aquariums and 34 giant biotopes. They certainly enjoyed their face-to-face encounter with rare and exotic freshwater species from different parts of the world.

After exploring the facility, the students were asked to share their insights and write their personal commitment to help ensure the protection and conservation of our freshwater ecosystem and our environment. 

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After the tour, everyone trooped to a nearby fastfood restaurant for lunch and some bonding time. 

Thanks so much to the generous and well-meaning people behind Project Lakbay Aral for letting VIDES students experience a fun voyage of discovery of the freshwater world. More power to all of you! 

Please visit Project Lakbay Aral FB Page for more photos.

*Project Lakbay Aral, an education and literacy advocacy initiative, is the brainchild of the blogger behind Happy Blue Thoughts.  It aims to give underprivileged students and out-of-school youth the opportunity to experience the fun and interactive voyage of learning and discovery through visits to museums and other places of historical and cultural significance. 

Success Stories: ALS Graduate Ventures into Business

VIDES Philippines aims to educate and empower the youth. The organization provides opportunities for the youth to develop themselves so they can improve the quality of their lives and raise the standard of their living. 

In partnership with Youth @ Venture, VIDES Philippines introduced BMDK-ALS Graduate Jonathan Torno into the world of business.  Last April 24, 2013, he officially opened his "Double Burger" stand in San Roque, Pasay City. 

Jonathan proudly undertakes the ceremonial ribbon cutting

DTI Registration  & government permit

The new entrepreneur expresses his gratitude to VIDES
and Youth@Venture for the assistance and support

Jonathan, we wish you good luck in your worthwhile undertaking!