InteRed is an NGO that has worked in education related topics for many years, so we decided to post a story on education as the first feed for the recently inaugurated blog.
OUR CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE
Yes, probably the title seems very repetitive and comes down as a stereotype, but in this case it is fundamental in understanding the scope of the "convenio" and how we are working in the communities.
We do not understand development without integrity, integrity without equity and equity without hard and well planned work. An in this good planning, we focus on improving food, health and education, so that the children of today will not only be the hope of tomorrow, but the reality of changing lives.
Therefore, one of the most important results on InteRed's work is education for all and that is why we focus on capacity building, trainings and education at all levels. In this small post I will not refer to adult education, since there are going to be various posts that will talk about that, and I encourage you to reed about rice farmers in Villa Paz in forthcoming articles.
PRE SCHOOL / DAYCARE CENTRES
We are working with close to 30 Daycare Centres in which we develop a series of activities:
- Building of Day Care Centres
- Repair of Day Care Centres
- School supplies (books, toys, notebooks, paints, backpacks...)
- Other materials: DVDs, Radios, etc.
In general, when one visits the day care centres in which we are working, it is possible to see happy children that have been able to avail pencils, paints and so on, which will last some time since we are providing a good amount of materials in stock. Nevertheless, our approach is still far from perfect. The only way to ensure the long lasting sustainability of action in education is for all to commit to continue with maintenance of buildings and provision of materials, so if local governments, organizations and parents do not commit to support these day care centres, it is most probable that our efforts will last just as long as the materials take to wear off.
The more long lasting activities of course are those in which non-existent centres or those in a terrible state built in inadequate conditions are improved.
No matter what, for us it is utmost important to see that all children from poor, poorest and the poorest can reach education from very early stages with the best possible quality.
But we must not forget that education without health and nutrition is hardly hampered. Therefore we also promote prenatal, neonatal and child health in all stages and feeding programmes (food, feeding stations, health centers, trainings, etc.), which hopefully will be sustainable with the support from local governments and local counterparting.
Having good education without good nourishment is like having a good wiring system with bad batteries, the connexions will not work and the system will on the long run shut down.
When helping children of all ages, we must make sure that nourishment and emotional support are given specially to those children from the poorest or less supportive households.
PRIMARY EDUCATION
InteRed and its partners support, thanks to AECID's help, many activities related to education in basic courses. Activities are very varied andinclude:
- Building of Classrooms
- Repairs of buildings
- Materials such as maps, learning support, etc.
- Books
- Backpacks, notebooks, pencils, paints, etc.
- Scholarships
Undoubtedly, one of the most successful strategies has been the scholarship programme, which reaches a very large number of most needed students. but we must not forget that there are certain problems too that have been identified. In the first place, it is important to remember that these is a palliative solution that will only last as long as the assistance is in place unless all the stakeholders comply with their commitments to continue the support after the assistance is gone.
Also, we have seen that in some places the poorest of the poor are not being reached due to priority being given to children of PO members even if sometimes they are not the poorest. Also, some Indigenous Peoples tend to not participate in decision making processes which can leave some children aside.
Yes, we admit to have seen some exclusion, and we do not like it, therefore it is one of the things that must be assessed in order to improve our excellence in development work so that children have the best opportunities.
Books and some materials are being taken care of, covered and used by all children, so that the scope of the action can reach future generations of students. Usually, books tend to complement those given by DepEd and are a useful tool for teachers to give more examples to students.
EDUCATION BEYOND SCHOOL
We are also financing scholarships for technical trainings in collaboration with local governments who provide help as well. In some cases we finance the course costs, the books, the transportation, the lodging or all of them depending on the place, the necessity and the amount of counterpart given by local governments.
We must say that there are some local governments that are really cooperative with our partner organizations and who are providing scholarships to a good number of students. Also, in the same way as we intend to do, they try to teach all beneficiaries about the commitment with the community, so that once they receive a scholarship they do community service or save money to sponsor another student. So that scholarships given will not be only for today but will help the community in a permanent basis, growing with time and helping improve the conditions of the community instead of enhancing migration to other places where technical skills can be of use.
Local Government of Alegría, Surigao del Norte
EDUCATION FOR ALL
We are trying to reach the people that need it the most, and yes, sometimes we might fail. That is why we undertake evaluation processes, audits and why we do constant visits and meetings with all partners, because it is in everyone's interest to be as effective as possible.
We do not allow for any exclusion regarding gender, age, ethnic group or political choices. We know this might seem logical, but we have faced many scholarship and educational aid programmes in our areas, funded by other institutions, mainly government institutions, who do distinguish and decide to only benefit those who, for example are family members of those who have voted certain politicians in the elections. Yes, this things happen on a daily basis and we are open about disapproving such practices and we are very strict about not allowing any of our POs (where certain authorities participate) to follow any such discrimination, which, if happens and is proved, would be sufficient motive to stop any assistance in all areas to such a PO and to severely undergo an evaluation of any partner that allows for this to happen.
We work with indigenous peoples of tribes such as the Mananwas (in the picture), Manobos and we do not feel like any children are different.
Anyway, no matter how we look at it, education is so important, that no games are accepted... except of course for our children, who must play and enjoy their childhood in a healthy environment, with good nutrition and with the best resources we can provide since they are the future of the communities and of the country and a good education today helps have good adults and good policies tomorrow.
So we want to tell everyone involved:
THANKS FOR MAKING THIS POSSIBLE
One of the first activities that CASAFI’s community organizer was to mobilize the core group of community leaders to gather information on the barangay site. Ironically, the records of the Municipal Assessor’s Office indicated that Barangay Ayugao, with its Internal Revenue Allotment, had already bought 3 barangay sites. With information from the barangay captain of Lagha, the community leaders and the CO discovered that the document regarding the barangay site was in the possession of the son of a former barangay captain of Ayugao. Apparently, the son had also been a barangay captain. Barangay Council meetings were then conducted to discuss the matter with the person. The person stated that the land was owned by his parent’s and that his parents were forced to sell the property 41 years ago. Thus, he was of the position that their family still owned the property. After reviewing the document and explaining the legal aspects of the situation, the person acceded to the fact the land was owned by the barangay. 
At the onset of the convenio, Ayugao was the only barangay in the municipality that had no electricity. Community residents opine that the absence of electricity contributed to insecurity in the barangay and hindered economic development. As a first step, the community organizer mobilized the people’s organization and barangay officials to report the matter to the Camarines Sur Electric Cooperative (CASURECO) IV. The information came as a surprise to CASURECO management, as they believed that Ayugao was already energized in 2008. With the guidance of CASAFI’s community organizer, officers of the people’s organization and the barangay officials followed-up the matter with the congressional representative, the municipal government and the director of CASURECO. On August 16, 2010 Barangay Ayugao was finally connected to energy grid. CASURECO says that a basic orientation of consumers is needed prior to providing connections to households.
