Hera May
12521
PUL2247
Girl
Philippines
September 22, 2005
17
Hera May is the oldest of three children in her family. She lives with her parents and her two brothers in a cement structure with a metal roof in Pulilan, Philippines. Hera May is in senior high and this year chose STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in her first semester and attained an average of 91 (Honours certificate). In-person classes have resumed, and Hera May is happy to be back with her teachers and classmates. In her free time, Hera May enjoys playing chess and drawing. She would like to be able to continue her education and become an architect someday. Sponsorship enables children to attend class every day and have the supplies they need to complete their education, grow up healthy, and achieve their dreams.
Philippines
- Category: Countries
Philippines
Chalice has been serving children in the Philippines since 1999 in four sites in both rural and urban communities.It is difficult for many children to attend school, because public schools are poorly funded and teachers are often under-qualified. The two most urgent issues of children’s health is stunting, which is caused by poor fetal development, and malnutrition. Anemia and dental health are also of major concern. Internal political disruption and civil armed conflict have kept communities in conditions of extreme poverty and prevented large populations of children from attending school. Families in urban settings typically construct their homes in “squatter” conditions, and rural families are very vulnerable to extreme weather and natural disasters, especially typhoons, floods and mudslides.
Through the support of sponsors and donors, Chalice and our local partners focus on:
- Education - Ensuring each child completes their education until high school graduation, at a minimum. Our sites places special emphasis on providing access to education to children of marginalized groups.
- Nutrition - Our partners ensure children have balanced, nutrient-rich diets by implementing school feeding programs through the support of the Chalice Nutrition Program.
- Resilience - Bolstering parents’ abilities to generate income and take leadership in their communities, as well as building physical infrastructure before and after extreme weather events and natural disasters.
Bulacan - Chalice has partnered with the Bulacan Diocese, near Manila, since 1999. Leila Fernando-Tolosa directs the sponsorship program from Bethlehem House of Bread, a home for orphaned, abandoned and abused children. The site works to create opportunities for families, especially women, to generate family income. The site aims to empower parents and youth to become decision-makers and leaders in their communities.
Samar - This NGO is associated with the Diocese of Catarman. Maricel A. Abangan oversees the sponsorship program. With the support of the Chalice Children Nutrition Program, the Liceo de Bethlehem of Samar elementary school runs a school feeding program for more than 350 children. Children participate in regular activities and seminars teaching them about healthy and active living.
Tondo - Chalice has partnered with BYSMP Bless the Children Foundation Inc., in the densely-populated Manila slum region since 2014. Eunice Cheng-Chua oversees the sponsorship program which runs through the school year and has summer activities for the children. The site provides regular daily meals, supported by the Chalice Nutrition program, as well as supplemental nutrition to anemic and vitamin-deficient children. In addition to sponsorship, the site provides extra-curricular activities in arts, dance and music, and remedial tutoring in Math and English. The site conducts awareness programs such as prevention of violence against women and children, children's rights, hygiene, and parenting skills. They also provide vocational skills training for parents. The site has a regular dental program for sponsored children and their siblings and this year, there are plans to include parents in the program.
