Category: Capacity Building

Imagine a room filled with parents and guardians, eager to learn about something that deeply affects their children’s lives. This is what happened at the Kapalaran Disciple Child Development Center on September 6, 2023, when the Open Heart Foundation hosted an orientation on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

The day began with an introduction to the UNCRC. Parents discovered that it’s not just some distant document but a powerful tool that protects children’s rights all around the world. The UNCRC, is like a superhero cape for children, ensuring they’re safe, healthy, and happy.

Next, the speaker dived into the UNCRC’s specific rights. These rights were like a treasure map, guiding parents to understand what every child deserves. It tackled about the right to education, healthcare, and being safe from harm. But it didn’t stop there; the speaker showed how these rights connect to everyday life. Parents realize that these aren’t just big words; they are essential for their child’s growth.

Perhaps the most important part was when discussing parents’ role in all of this. The speaker shared practical tips for supporting their children’s development. Parents left the orientation feeling like superheroes, ready to protect their children’s rights.

The gathering was not just a lecture. It was a conversation. Parents asked questions, shared stories, and learned from each other. It was like a big family coming together to ensure their children’s happiness and well-being.

The orientation didn’t leave parents empty-handed. They are provided with information about resources and support networks. Now, parents have tools to help them navigate the world of child rights.

The foundation would like to express gratitude for the partnership of the Project Against Child Exploitation (ACE) for giving 17 IEC materials Calendar and 17 Hotline numbers that are helpful for the recipients.

The UNCRC orientation was not just an event; it was a day of empowerment. Parents are left with a better understanding of their children’s rights and a sense of responsibility to protect them. We believe this knowledge will lead to a brighter future, where every child’s rights are respected and celebrated.

Prepared By: Maejorie Ortega, RSW

Seminar Workshop on First Steps in Engaged Reading (FSER) -Training: Skills Enhancement for Service Providers/Day Care Workers, Preschool Teachers, and Grade 1 Teachers:

On April 19-20, 2023, OHF conducted a 2-day training workshop on First Steps in Engaged Reading or FSER held at the Women’s Training Center, President Quirino Sultan Kudarat. The Participants are teachers of Preschool, Kindergarten, and Grade schools, with 95 attendees in total.

On the 1st day, the OHF team trained the participants with the new strategies/methodologies that can cultivate and motivate the interest of young children in reading. Then on Day 2, the team let the participants apply what they learned on 1st day through a demo teaching. Ten young children were identified to be the audience.

The reaction and active participation of the children during the demo session revealed their joy and interest in the methodology.

It was delightful to see the teachers who are all participative and eager to learn more and allow themselves to enhance their skills.

The training would not have been successful without the help and support of the Hon. Mayor Katrina Sandigan, MPA, MSWD Head Ms. Laura Laforteza, RSW, staff of President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat, the sponsors and also the OHF Team who served as facilitator of the training.

Prepared by: Maejorie Ortega, RSW

Program Area Coordinator

A total of 41 participants attended the recently held First Steps in Engaged Reading (FSER) Training-Workshop in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Luna in La Union last March 24-25, 2023.

Most of the participants were from the Daycare Centers supervised by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), some were from the Department of Education. This two-day training aims to empower daycare teachers and help them teach their students to love reading.

There was a part of the activity where teachers were tasked to conduct a demonstration incorporating the learning they got from the training. DepEd Teachers had a glimpse of the situation in the child development centers. The Head of the MSWDO of Luna, La Union, Ma’am Jeanette T. Padilla, RSW, reiterated the situation of their Daycare workers as they teach children– their struggle to handle hyper kids, the limitations of their resources, etc.

In her final message, the Head of the MSWDO expressed her gratitude to the Open Heart Foundation Worldwide Inc. for facilitating the training. She also thanked the participants from DepEd participating in the training as well as the Child Development Workers of Luna, La Union.

The OHF Executive Director, Ms. Rosalinda Perez, congratulated the participants for completing the two-day training. She also praised the dedication and passion of the teachers with the path that they chose to take.

The activity will not be as successful without the generous support of the municipality’s mayor, Hon. Mayor Gary N. Pinzon, and the Head of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, Jeanette T. Padilla, RSW. The participants received Vitamins donated by OHFWI’s partner, Unilab Foundation.

Prepared by: Jay Frank Diaz, RSW

Program Area Coordinator

Through the invitation of Ms. Irmina Delorino, MSWD Officer of LGU Catarman in Northern Samar, OHF conducted a Training-Workshop in First Steps in Engaged Reading (FSER) for their daycare teachers.  It was held during the 2022 Child Development Workers Summit on June 22-23, 2022 at Somoray Park and Resort in Bobon. 

FSER is an effective teaching methodology that capitalizes on the children’s visual, oral, and body language strengths to help build reading comprehension and writing skills development.  It uses the 4 codes of communication, which proved to be effective in learning and communicating. 

A total of 70 daycare teachers from 9 districts of Catarman participated in the said training.  The teachers did not only learn about the teaching methodology but experienced the whole process firsthand as students.  They enjoyed the training filled with interactive activities that certainly brought teaching more fun and enjoyable for them. 

Come this school year 2022-2023 opening, OHF looks forward to how these teachers can make use of their learnings from the training in their respective schools.  

Prepared by: Janette C. Corollo, RSW, Program Area Coordinator

The 2022 Philippine National Elections happened on the 9th of May. It was a crucial election as the officials who will have a seat in the national and local positions will face many challenges. Resolving the pandemic, problems related to poverty and education, and our sovereignty, among others.

To empower the youths of voting age, the Open Heart Foundation Worldwide Incorporated (OHFWI) Children and Youth Development Program (CYDP), urged their beneficiaries to choose candidates who will best represent their ideals and aspiration as an individual. The Program Area Coordinators of CYDP consecutively conducted “Tamang Ako Para Sa Tamang Kandidato: A values-based voter’s education workshop” from April 26 to May 1, 2022, online and face-to-face.

The workshop centered on the set of values that the participants have. They were encouraged to consider these values as a guide in choosing the best candidates for them. There was also a portion where participants were asked what they are looking for in a leader who will run the country. Most of them said that a leader should have a clean record, credentials, good intentions, experience, and must-have platforms.

At the end of the workshop, participants were reminded that the values of the candidates that they will be voting for should be in line with their values. The leader they will give authority to lead should embody their ideals and aspirations as an individual and as a filipino.

Prepared by: Jay Frank Diaz, RSW, Program Area Coordinator 1

Open Heart Foundation’s partnership with the Mindoro State University, formerly Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Science and Technology (MinSCAT) started way back in 2007.  Under the Children and Youth Development Program (CYDP), OHF supports college students from both the Main (Victoria) and Calapan City campuses with their education.  For the academic year 2021-2022, a total of 15 students are being supported. 

OHF team conducted a monitoring visit on November 23-24, 2021 in both campuses, to meet these students personally, as majority of them are expected to complete their degree and graduate by June 2022. 

Through coordination with the Office of the Student Affairs Services (OSAS) and the support of DSAS Scholarship Coordinator Ms. Evelyn Leynes and Mr. Alexis Fortunato, the meeting became a success.  Agreements between the students and Open Heart were re-established with the renewal of the Kasunduan (MOU) for the SY2021-2022. 

Courtesy call with the Local Social Welfare and Development Offices of of Victoria and Calapan City were also conducted for the purpose of introducing the Foundation’s program/service implemented in their locality.

On November 23, MSWD Head, Mr. Manuel Melo welcomed the team with open arms as he expressed the possibility of partnership for capacity building of their child development workers and some programs to address increasing concerns with out-of-school youth in their municipality. 

Meanwhile, a short meeting with CSWD Officer of Calapan City, Ms. Juvy L. Bahia, RSW transpired on Nov. 24 meeting.  Trainings for the day care workers aside from the possibility to increase number of beneficiaries from the city were initially discussed.

For this year’s celebration of the National Children’s Month, OHF made sure that all can participate – children, youth, parents, and service providers.  In its month-long celebration, 3 webinars were organized every Saturday of November with a culminating activity as a closing program.  

In line with this year’s theme, ‘New Normal na Walang Iwanan: Karapatan ng Bawat Bata ating Tutukan!,” OHF enjoins the nation in continuing the advocacy in addressing children’s rights and protection issues and concerns even during the pandemic time.

Webinar session 2 entitled ‘Usapang Parenting ngayong Pandemic’ was held on November 13, Saturday from 1:30pm to 5:00pm, via Zoom and live streamed on Facebook.  This webinar featured a conversational approach of discussion on ‘understanding the child, family and parenting’.  Most importantly, discussed were ways how parents can protect their children during this time of pandemic. The webinar is graced by a social worker, child rights specialist, educator, researcher and consultant, from the College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD) of the University of the Philippines – Diliman campus, Asst. Professor Florence Flores Pasos, who served as the resource person. 

Parent leaders, Ms. Hanna Laganzon from Quezon City served as the host while Ms. Rosalie Sipat was the moderator of the open forum. 

It was a very interactive session participated by almost 150 individuals both in Zoom and Facebook live.  In attendance are parents of OHF scholars from Luzon to Mindanao, parent leaders in various partner communities, teachers and staff of partner organizations and other service providers.  Some scholars, both children and youth also joined their parents in this session, truly a significant bonding and learning experience at the same time. 

Three parent representatives shared their learnings and reactions on the discussion. According to the participants their most significant learnings are the important roles of parents in the child’s development, the elements of parenting – care, control and development; importance of maintaining good relationship in the family and most importantly, recognizing the rights of children to participate in making decisions that directly affects them. 

OHF recognized parents and families of children and youth we serve as partners in empowering these young fellows to become disciplined, productive and involved members of the society.  Thus, initiatives such as these are continued.  Together, let us work hand in hand in protecting our children and in making this world safe to live in. 

To God be the glory!

Prepared by: Janette Corollo, RSW, Program Area Coordinator 1

47 CYDP scholars participated in this learning session from 8 areas – (1) Kabugao, Apaya0, (2) Catarman, Northern Samar, (3) Rodriguez, Rizal (4) Victoria and (5) Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, (6) Murcia and (7) Sagay City, Negros Occidental and (8) Mati, Davao Oriental.

‘Knowing Yourself Better’ is a learning session on Self-Awareness, the first of the 3-series session designed towards enhancing Social and Emotional Learning of OHF scholars.  It aims to deepen understanding about the importance of self-awareness for their personal growth and development, identify key areas that encompasses one’s self and enumerate ways to know themselves better and other practical habits towards self-discovery.

Three sessions for (3) batches were conducted to accommodate all scholars from the 9 areas.  A face-to-face session for scholars from Colegio de Montalban was held on September 3, 2021, Saturday from 2:30-4:00pm after the distribution of their allowances.  Meanwhile, the 2 virtual sessions were held via Google Meet on September 11 & 25. 

The session encouraged the participants to reflect on characteristics which makes every individual as a unique person such as personality, attitude, experiences, habits, perspectives, likes/dislikes, goals and passion – and the factors that significantly influences such as experiences.    

Given emphasis is that ‘the qualities of an individual can be honed, improved upon, and made to grown as we continue our life’s journey’. 

What I should know to be self-aware?

In the discussion, the participants shared ideas on things one must be prepared for towards discovering self – (1) see yourself honestly, (2) recognize strengths and weaknesses, (3) identify your emotions and (4) work towards growth.

The 4 things mentioned above challenged the participants of their readiness towards self-discovery.  Just like one of the participants commented, ‘it seems like it’s the basic requirements for an individual to be successful in this self-discovery journey, which somehow gives them the idea to work on these things first to attain his ‘ideal self’. 

Enumerated are five simple habits that can be adapted by the participants in daily routine/activities.  In fact, some of them already mentioned that they used to or have been doing some of these but stopped because of the busy schedule for school and academic requirements. 

The five (5) simple habits are daily reflection, keeping a journal, practicing meditation and other mindfulness habits, taking personality and psychometric tests, and asking for feedback.  All these simple habits suggest opportunities for everyone to take time to relax, breathe, reflect or think about their experiences and how it affect the way they think, feel, and act. 

The participants acknowledged the relevance of the topic to every one of them, the importance of ‘knowing themselves better to help improve their self-confidence and for personal growth and development’ and that ‘through knowing themselves first, they can achieve or do better’. 

They found the topic discussed as useful, very relevant, and timely. It allowed them to pause in a while, reflect and tune in to their thoughts, feelings and actions to know themselves better, use their strengths, work on their weaknesses and flaws and be the best version of themselves while attaining their personal goals in life.

To God be the glory!  

Prepared by: Janette Corollo, RSW, Program Area Coordinator

A learning session entitled, ‘Financial Literacy 101: A Guide to Securing your Financial Future’ was conducted on August 31, 2021, 10am-11:30am via Google Meet. 

Ten CYDP graduates for the year 2021 from 5 areas of Quezon City, Marinduque, Romblon, Sagay City and Rodriguez, Rizal benefitted from this learning session facilitated by one of the Program Area Coordinators.  As the participants are expected to enter a new phase in their life’s journey as part of the ‘work force’, the session wishes to provide additional knowledge to be financially literate and help develop their skills in managing their finances for a better future. 

The session focused on the five (5) important things an individual should learn to be financially literate – budgeting, saving, invest, build credit and control debt and protecting wealth. 

Given emphasis in financial literacy is the importance of planning to acquire one’s personal financial goals.  Setting an amount from the income to save for that particular long-term or short-term goals is the key to be able to define strategies that will allow one to be financially aware.  Strategies discussed include cutting overspending, avoiding unnecessary expenses and prioritizing savings. 

Participants were also encouraged to make investments on things that will generate income or will appreciate in the future.  While credit and loans may not be avoided, planning, choosing the right loan, and maintaining a good credit history are highly encouraged. 

It has been an interactive session as the participants believed that they can apply their learnings in day-to-day living, covering practical ways and strategies in managing their finances.  Realizations include being thrifty, purchasing things that they only need, avoiding luxury, planning for what they want to buy and budgeting.  

Citing from one of the participants’ feedback, “on my point of view, the most useful or valuable regarding the topic is knowing one’s goal when it comes in financial, knowing how to manipulate or handle money and also giving importance on how individual will manage its assets and liabilities to have a good outcome.  It is very important that we, as individuals know how to handle things especially in this amidst a pandemic.  The Ipon Challenge will really help ourselves.  Gumastos ng naaayon or base on the situation we have today.”

Financial literacy may not be given much attention/importance, yet, the key to create wealth is not only educating on how to earn but also on how to manage finances. 

To God be all the glory!

Prepared by: Janette Corollo, RSW, Program Area Coordinator

The right to vote is exercised by all citizens of the Philippines who are at least 18 years of age and not otherwise disqualified by law. Most of the college beneficiaries of Open Heart Foundation belong to this age-bracket; thus, the Foundation conducted and facilitated an online webinar on Voter’s Education last 30th of July 2021.

The webinar discussed various topics on the qualification of voters, registration process and where to register. All beneficiaries who are qualified to vote were advised to cast their votes come election day in May 2022. Those who are first timers were encouraged to register early so they could exercise their right as provided for in the Constitution.

Choosing right candidates with good track record, value honesty and integrity and those  who have the heart to serve Filipinos shall be on the list. 

 “Sharing the essence of voter’s registration to enable every qualified Filipino Citizen to use their power this upcoming 2022 National and Local elections to make a positive change and choose only the rightful and competent Leaders” – Atty. Ronald “Atty. Boom” Santiago.

Topic:

*Registration

*Voter’s certification

*Health Protocols

*Reminders during election

Qualifications of Voters:

Filipino Citizen

At least 18 years of age on election day (May 09, 2022)

Resident in the Philippines for at least 1 year prior to election day (Domicile; permanent residency)

Resided in place wherein propose to vote for at least 6 months prior to election day (permanent or temporary)

Free from Disqualifications

In order to vote, must be a Registered Voter

Voters Deactivation:

Disqualified to vote

Failed to Vote in 2 preceding elections

Registration Excluded by the Court

Loss of Filipino Citizenship

Failure to validate biometrics

When to Register:

Monday-Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm (including holiday)

Where to Register:

Office of the Election Officer in the place having jurisdiction where you intend to register and vote

Reception of application shall be from January 20,2020 to September 30,2021

COMELEC Resolution No.10635, Promulgated: 10 January 2020

All information was basic but important to know. Let us cast our vote on May 09,2022!

Prepared by: Davilyn Fajardo, Program Area Coordinator 1