Category: gallery

Open Heart Foundation Worldwide, Inc. extends its services in Catarman, Northern Samar through partnership with its Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office. This expansion is part of the foundation’s move in helping to alleviate poverty in the Philippines as Northern Samar is one of the poorest provinces. Believing that education is a powerful tool to overcome poverty, Open Heart Foundation open its services through the Children and Youth Development Program (CYDP) by giving educational assistance to incoming college students this school year 2019 – 2020.

Part of the visit in the area was monitoring the CYDP beneficiaries in neighboring municipalities like Lavezares in Northern Samar and Bulusan in Sorsogon.

Article prepared by Saleah Joy Uclusin, RSW

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The Open Heart Foundation Worldwide, Inc. (OHFWI) conducts its regular monitoring in Sibuyan Romblon last April 10 – 11, 2019 now with, our partner and benefactor Rick and Mely Rey Foundation (RMRF) and together with two of our board members. Through the generosity of our benefactor, OHFWI opens 30 new slots for the deserving students who will enter college. The slots opened to the students of Romblon State University – San Fernando Campus and Lumbang East National High School. A total of 37 students will be supported in their college studies through Children and Youth Development Program.

Another highlight of the visit is the turnover of the donation to Lumbang East National High School. Rick and Mely Rey Foundation donated a cash for the completion of the school’s building that will accommodate senior high school students. Lumbang National High School is located in the middle of the mountains which caters hundreds of students so that they will no longer go to the municipality centre for their schooling. As Ms. Repiso, Principal of Lumbang East National High School, said that RMRF’s donation that was coursed through OHFWI is one of the great moves in the completion of their school project.

Article prepared by: Saleah Joy Uclusin, RSW

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In the pursuit of reaching out to more disadvantaged children and youth in the Philippines, the Open Heart Foundation Worldwide Inc. coordinated with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Saranggani Province last May 2018. In September 2018 the Open Heart team headed by the Executive Director, Ms. Rosalinda T. Perez, went to visit the provincial office for courtesy call to the PSWD – OIC Ms. Raquel S. Panal. She was very accommodating and happy for possible services that would be extended to the area. She has recommended the Municipality of Alabel and Malapatan and coordination in both municipalities were done.

On the same day, the OHF team were able to interview twenty seven (27) applicants for educational support. In Malapatan, most of the applicants belong to the Blaan tribe.   Blaan is a coined word “bla” and “an”.  “Bla” means counterpart or pair and suffix “an” expressing ownership or possession.   When joined together, Blaan, means our counterpart tribe.

Out of the 27 applicants, fifteen (15) of them got to the final list and have met the requirements of the Foundation: 5 from Alabel and 10 from Malapatan.

Last December 17, 2018, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office facilitated the MOA between the beneficiaries together with their parent/guardian and OHF.  The release of the monetary assistance was done by the PSWDO Sarangani as seen through attached photos.

Article by: Saleah Joy Uclusin, RSW

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[widgetkit id=”59″ name=”Children’s Month Celebration in Romblon”]

Because of the cooperation and strong relationship of each beneficiaries, we Open Heart Youth Movement Romblon came up with an activity for the children and their parents, as celebration for children’s month. Early morning of November 17, 2018, we started preparing, by doing our assigned tasks: some prepared the gifts, the games, and the food that we would give to our participants. Every one of us did our tasks happily that’s why we finished the preparation early, then proceeded to our venue, in Lagting. We were even accompanied by our beloved guidance counselor, Ms. Molo. While we were on our way, we encountered children who are malnourished and with no clothing, we also invited them to join our activity because we want them to feel happy though our gifts.

When we arrived at the venue, the chieftain, who is a father of one OHF beneficiaries, warmly welcomed us together with many children and their parents. One of the elders showcased their tribe dance as a sign of our acceptance in their area. Lagting is a place which is far from civilization of the municipal center of San Fernando, Romblon. It is located 3km away from the barangay Poblacion. It is a place where the indigenous people live, called Mangyan. We have seen how the tribe respected each other, their culture and their beliefs.

When we officially started the program, Jessica Roda opened it with a prayer then followed by a simple speech by Ms. Molo. Marvin Iyas then gave the lecture about disaster preparedness during an earthquake. Everyone is interested about the topic and even asked questions and also shared their ideas about the topic. During our games activity, the children enjoyed their experience that even their parents joined the games too. After the games, we gave our simple gifts and some food. Everyone in the community was really happy and thankful, specially their chieftain saying it is their first time to experience it and that a foundation came to visit them, it is a great help to their community.

The Open Heart Youth Movement Romblon is really thankful to all the staff and people behind the foundation who supporting and helping us more than just financially but to pay back and help other community. This experience is memorable and incomparable.

Article by:  Jessica Roda, OHYM Romblon

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[widgetkit id=”53″ name=”OHYM Cleanup 2018″]

A day of a simultaneous cleanup drive was conducted in three different areas on October 28, 2018. This is an initiative of the officers and members of the Open Heart Youth Movement; an organized children and youth group of the Open Heart Foundation.

For Quezon, in Palawan they have identified the bliss site. This area is similar to the slum area in the metro. It is rarely cleaned by concerned individuals. The Open Heart Youth Movement then decided to extend their free time to do a cleanup in the area especially the road canals.

For Manila beneficiaries, Dakota and Quirino streets in Malate, Manila, was the place they have reached out. This place is near their respective communities. The area is often cleaned by street sweepers but during this day while the street sweepers were on rest day, they have taken the responsibility to do the task.

For Binan, Laguna beneficiaries, the flooded prone area in Barangay Dela Paz was their place for the community cleanup. It is near the vicinity of school which was long submerged in water. Several streets where also cleaned up. Together with some parents and staff the activity transpired.

Kudos to all these young men and women of the Foundation. More community outreach to extend in our respective communities. We always got your back!

Article by: Visimar Mimay, CYDP Program Manager

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