Current projects
In Philippines, Children of the Mekong
- exists since 1997
- 116 children sponsorship programs
- 3 258 children sponsored
- 18 development programs
- 19 Bamboos – « field volunteers »
Cebu local context
Cebu city, 2nd largest city of Philippines, absorbs the rural migration of hundred of thousands farmers coming from other part of Philippines and attracted by the development of the tourism sector. They live from unqualified odd jobs and are usually victims of labor exploitation. Security is also an issue in this big city where there is an increasing number of thieves.
The Batang Mekong daycare program
The Inayawan garbage dump is situated at 5 km south of Cebu. It was closed in 2015, but hundred of rag-pickers families still live there because they have nowhere else to go.
Created in 2001, the « Batang Mekong daycare program » include 7 daycares hosted by rag-pickers families and where 14 mums were trained to become Child development workers. Those daycare provide to 80 children from 1 to 6 years old:
- 1 meal per day (maybe the only one) and medications if need be. The children are washed and their diapers changed and their heights and weights are checked.
- Instead of wandering in the shantytown, children learn to respect communal life rules. Using a Montessori pedagogic, it prepares them to entering school at the age of 6
- A place where they receive care, love, security and where they can express their own personalities.
Budget: (exchange rate: 1EUR=53 PHP, 1PHP=6,4 HKD)
PHP 1.285.000 / EUR 24.245 / HKD 201.000 which mainly includes Child development workers salary (52% of total budget), food cost (24%)
A “Children of the Mekong “students center in Cebu City
Created in 1998, this student center is the oldest and largest student residence in Philippines.
Our goal is to provide accommodation to university students that cannot afford living in the City (average family income PHP 3270 that is to say EUR 62 / HKD 511 with an exchange rate 1EUR=53 PHP, 1PHP=6,4 HKD).
During their 2 to 5 years of university, we give them additional tutorial, we provide professional life training, we help them find a job and we coach them on their first job.
In 2015-2016, 64 students benefited from this program.
In 2016-2017, we welcomed a new promotion of 16 students.
Budget : (exchange rate : 1EUR=53 PHP, 1HKD=6,4 HKD)
PHP 6.650.229 / EUR 125.500 / HKD 1.040.000 which mainly includes training (45% of total budget), accommodation and food cost (36%)
