Friday, March 20, 2009

Invitation for Filipino Indigent Children’s Art Exhibit

GFI assisted schools in Mindanao are invited to join the “Filipino indigent children’s art exhibition” to be held in Roswell Visual Arts Center, Roswell, Georgia, USA on June 26 - July 27, 2009. This will give an opportunity for international exposure of the children’s creativity, the school they represent and the place where they stay. This invitation is open to all indigent school children.

The Theme: “America”

Purpose: To provide visual images of what Filipino children perceive about America. “What, in their understanding, is America?” “What do they know about America?”

Material: regular bond size paper and crayons

Back of the bond paper:
1. Name of the child (printed name and signature of the artist for authentication)
2. Title of artwork
3. Date of birth
4. Name of school and address

Submission Deadline: May 1, 2009

Submit Artworks to: Jocelyn C. Robles (0918-944-4812) for mailing to GFI Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Award: Each child will receive a certificate of appreciation from GFI. Artworks will be featured in the Galing Foundation, Inc. website and at http://www.gfimindanao.blogspot.com/.

2 GFI boxes for Kipalkuda Elementary School

GFI has recently shipped 2 Balikbayan boxes for the Kipalkuda Elementary School thru the Datu Wali Mission. Details of this can be accessed from this link:
http://projectgaling.blogspot.com/2009/03/more-books-to-filipino-indigent.html

GFI Mindanao Volunteers/Partners

Certificate of Appreciation for valuable partnership with GFI and the Atlanta Filipino-American community in promoting the importance of functional and English literacy among indigent school children will be given to the following volunteers/partners:

1. Mary Grace C. Wanda – Coordinator, Maligo Elementary School and Maligo Daycare Center of Barangay Maligo, Polomolok, South Cotabato

2. Josseth A. Malida - Coordinator for Landan National High School, Landan, Polomolok, South Cotabato

3. Lorrie T. Yayong – Teacher-in-Charge, Maligo Elementary School, Maligo, Polomolok, South Cotabato

4. Gloria L. Paman - Teacher In Charge Maligo Daycare Center, Maligo, Polomolok, South Cotabato

5. Roger S. Garmino - Punong Barangay, Brgy. Maligo, Polomolok, South Cotabato

6. Bonifacio C. Nicor - Chairman Committee on Education, Brgy Council of Maligo, Polomolok, South Cotabato

7. Mrs. Ninfa B. Macabenta – Teacher-in-Charge, Landan National High School-Annex, Polomolok, South Cotabato

8. Jocelyn C. Robles – GFI Mindanao Coordinator, Apopong, General Santos City

9. Vicente M. Jugar - Committee Chairman on Education of Brgy. Landan, Polomolok, South Cotabato

10. Hon. Guilly D. Lakim - Barangay Captain of Landan, Polomolok, South Cotabato

11. Pastor Nonobert Malit – Blaan Evangelistic Mission, Landan, Polomolok, South Cotabato

12. Dan Evans - Datu Wali Mission, Maitum, Sarangani Province

13. Aura D. Mirayo – School Principal, Kipalkuda Elementary School, New La Union, Maitum, Sarangani Province

The respective certificate was signed by Honorary Consul General of Atlanta, Hon. Raoul Donato, GFI Executive Director and GFI Mindanao Outreach Director. Turn-over of certificates will be done by Jocelyn C. Robles for the resective volunteers/partners.

YLA initial monitoring and evaluation

Jocelyn C. Robles said that “the trophies, medals and certificates look amazingly beautiful.” On behalf of GFI, she will do the awarding for Landan National High School on the closing exercises of First – Third Year level. She will also do the turn-over of medals and trophy for the Maligo Day Care School as well as the Maligo Elementray School.

In an e-mail sent by Dan Evans, he said that “the medals, certificates and trophy are excellent. Everyone will be shocked and excited to receive them. This will be a new experience for them. Please extend our compliments to Galing Foundation, Inc. and donors for this effort. I will be there to present the awards and we will take photos that will be sent to you.”

In his report for the board and supporters of the Datu Wali Mission (DWM), Dan Evans also stressed the partnership of GFI and DWM. “This year is special, because the Galing Foundation, Inc., a Filipino-American non-profit organization in the U.S., has provided awards (certificates, medals, and a trophy) for the top students of each grade, plus the star graduate. We will be honored to represent that foundation in presenting them on that day.”

Photo-documentation for the respective school awarding will be submitted to GFI Mrs. Jocelyn C. Robles and Dan Evans. This will also include added information about the awardees.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

YLA awarding dates

Schedule of recognition for the Youth Leadership Award and Best in English Award:


March 31, 2009 - Maligo Elementary School graduation

March 30, 2009 - Landan National High School graduation (4th year)

March 31, 2009 - Landan National High School closing exercise (Ist year - 3rd yr)

April 2, 2009 - Kipalkuda Elementary School graduation

April 6, 2009 - Maligo Day Care School graduation


Information courtesy of Jocelyn C. Robles and Dan Evans.

2 GFI boxes arrived at Gensan


Jocelyn C. Robles informed GFI that "the 2 boxes arrived last March 17, 09. I notice that content is almost encyclopedia na pang high school talaga." The boxes were shipped last December 12, 2008.
The books will be turned-over to Landan National High School, Polomolok, South Cotabato. Educational resource materials for elementary school will be segregated and turned-over to Maligo Elementary School.
Photo above was taken during the November 2008 turn-over of GFI boxes when Mrs. Robles was asked to give an inspirational message for the students on behalf of GFI.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Mindanao YLA trophies and medals



GFI Mindanao Youth Leadership (YLA) Project trophies and Best in English medals engraved with the recipients name. This project was co-sponsored by Cross of Life Church Social Concerns Ministry of Roswell, Georgia, USA.
YLA awardees will also receive a GFI certificate of recognition signed by the Philippines Honorary Consul General of Atlanta (Raoul Donato), GFI Executive Director (Toni Daya-Luetgers) and Cross of Life Social Concerns Ministry (Janine Dismer).
Photo courtesy of Toni Daya-Luetgers.

Monday, March 9, 2009

MES Youth Leadership Awardee

Complete Name: Kimberly V. Gantuangco

Name of the School: Maligo Elementary School (MES)

Complete Address of the School: Brgy. Maligo, Polomolok, South Cotabato

Date: January 23, 2009

Please provide a rationale in each area why this student has been nominated:

A. Academic Excellence (60%): 52.10%

B. Service (10%): 8%

C. Leadership (20%): 18.2%

D. Character (10%): 9.3%

Total rating of the nominee: 87.6%


Our school’s choosen awardee for Mindanao Youth Leadership Award (MYLA) is Kimberly V. Gantuangco, a grade six and a graduating pupil of Maligo Elementary School.

Kimberly or “Kimkim” as she is fondly called by everybody, is a consistent first honor pupil of our school from grade 1 to 5. This school year in her sixth grade, looking at her good performance in class, a good leader and a diligent pupil, it is not impossible for her to make it again to the top.

District Match Olympics, 2005-present, super Quiz Bee, STEP and others, were some of the contest represented by Kimberly to the district level since grade 4. An active troop leader of the Girl Scout of the Philippines, the Class President since 2006 and the President of School Governing Council at present.

Being president of the pupil government, she can lead the pupils in school do their everyday tasks like coming to school on time, attending the flag ceremony and maintaining the cleanliness of the school campus. Even with the absence of their class adviser, she can manage the class by letting her classmates behave and do their board works until their teacher arrives.

Our nominee is a good dancer. In fact, she participates actively during Barangay Foundation Anniversary being the dance leader in field demonstrations since her primary grades. She can even create dance steps and choreography, a big help in the part of her teachers considering her suggestions.

Kimberly is helpful, considerate and approachable. She is everybody’s friend. She has that concern for other, use her initiative thinking of some alternatives for the good and welfare of everybody.

A responsible and dependable pupil, soft-spoken girl with confidence, beauty and brain, vetting good example to everybody at her age to become an ideal person which makes us all happy and proud.


Submitted by:

Lorie T. Yayong
Teacher-in-Charge


Note:

Kimberly will receive a GFI certificate of recognition and a trophy engraved with her name and the school.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

KES 2009 GFI Mindanao Youth Leadership Awardee


The 2009 GFI Mindanao Youth Leadership Awardee for Kipalkuda Elementary School is Mary Ann T. Ungat, a graduating student. The awardee will receive GFI trophy engraved with her name and her school. Mary Ann will also receive a certificate of recognition from GFI.
The total rating of the awardee is 83% based on the following selection breakdown:


A. Academic Excellence (60%): Mary Ann is an academic leader in her class (Grade VI) and the school (54%).


B. Service (10%): Mary Ann demonstrates her willingness to serve the school and her teachers (7%).


C. Leadership (20%): Kipalkuda students look to Mary Ann as a leader (15%).


D. Character (10%): Mary Ann is a positive role model, motivating other students to succeed, and to have integrity (7%).

Nomination form submitted by Bienvenido B. Alcantary Jr., Teacher I of Kipalkuda Elementary School thru the Datu Wali Mission.

This project is co-sponsored by Cross of Life Church Social Concerns Ministry of Roswell, Georgia, USA. Mary Ann will receive the GFI certificate of recognition and a trophy engraved with her name and her school. Being the Best in English student of her class, Mary Ann will also receive a gold medal engraved with her name. Photo courtesy of Datu Wali Mission (http://www.datuwalimission.org/), GFI's partner organization.

LNHS Best in English

Landan National High School (LNHS) 2009 GFI Best in English awardees:

Merissa D. Tampal - First Year (82.45%)

Vanessa M. Romarate - Second Year (82.40%)

Osias T. Senajon - Third Year (87.45%)

Crilyn N. Soria - Fourth Year (91.75%)

Students were rated based on the school's merit system and the GFI's criteria of selection composed of reading & comprehension (30%), English writing skills (40%), and English oral communication (30%). LNHS selection committee was composed of English Teachers namely Lorelie Baluno, Renante Balleno and Demetrio Talatala and was chaired by Marites Agustin, Guidance Counselor. The submitted nomination form was approved by LNHS Teacher-in-Charge, Ninfa B. Macabenta.

Each awardee will receive GFI gold medals engraved with their names. The medals were co-sponsored by Cross of Life Church Social Concerns Ministry of Roswell, Georgia, USA. The awarding will be done during the commencement exercises/closing ceremonies of the school.

KES Best in English

Kipalkuda Elementary School (KES) 2009 GFI Best in English awardees:


Fenalyn C. Camat - Grade I (80%)

Dennis Dave D. Movilla - Grade II (82.80%)

Crislyn B. Matingkal - Grade III (82.20%)

Betuin L. del Carmen - Grade IV (82.80%)

Jezebel Q. Pascua - Grade V (84.10%)

Mary Ann T. Ungat - Grade VI (82%)


Students were rated based on the school's merit system and the GFI's criteria of selection composed of reading & comprehension (30%), English writing skills (40%), and English oral communication (30%).

Each awardee will receive GFI gold medals engraved with their names. The medals were co-sponsored by Cross of Life Church Social Concerns Ministry of Roswell, Georgia, USA. The awarding will be done during the commencement exercises/closing ceremonies of the school.

MDCS Best in English


Maligo Day Care School (MDCS) 2009 GFI Best in English awardees:


Princess Honey C. Wanda (85%)

Mayzie Claire M. Luyao (88%)

Mizzy Pearl M. Rosas (92%)

Pupils were rated based on the school's merit system and the GFI's criteria of selection composed of reading & comprehension (30%), English writing skills (40%), and English oral communication (30%).

Each awardee will receive GFI gold medals engraved with their names. The medals were co-sponsored by Cross of Life Church Social Concerns Ministry of Roswell, Georgia, USA. The awarding will be done during the commencement exercises/closing ceremonies of the school.

MES Best in English


Maligo Elementary School 2009 GFI Best in English Awardees:


Kathleen Jane Latimban - Grade I (82%)

Jannica P. Ante - Grade II (82%)

Millicent Grace M. Rosas - Grade III (83%)

David Lloyd S. Garmino - Grade IV (84%)

Ivy Grace T. Panes - Grade V (82%)

Roselyn B. Garmino - Grade VI (86%)

Students were rated based on the school's merit system and the GFI's criteria of selection composed of reading & comprehension (30%), English writing skills (40%), and English oral communication (30%).

Each awardee will receive GFI gold medals engraved with their names. The medals were co-sponsored by Cross of Life Church Social Concerns Ministry of Roswell, Georgia, USA. The awarding will be done during the commencement exercises/closing ceremonies of the school.

Landan National High School (LNHS) History








Landan National High School-UKNHS Annex is located at Barangay Landan, Polomolok, South Cotabato.

Barangay Landan is considered as one of the big barangays of Polomolok, South Cotabato. It has a land area of more or less ten thousand (10,000) hectares. It is 14.5 kilometers away from the Poblacion. It is a 40-minute ride from the heart of the municipality. It is bounded on the north by Malungon, Sarangani Province, on the south by the hilly portion of Mt. Matutum, on the west by Barangay Maligo and General Santos City on the east.

Barangay Landan is accessible to all kinds of transportation. There are two (2) elementary schools and two (2) Primary schools in the Barangay. The graduates of the two elementary schools used to proceed their secondary education to the different private and public high schools in the town proper. The need to have a public high school was felt by concerned residents and Barangay officials, after observing that some of the elementary graduates could not pursue their secondary education because of financial reasons and due to the distance of the Barangay from secondary schools in the locality especially that almost 60% of its residents are Indigenous People, the Blaan.

It was for the above reasons that in 2003, the Barangay Officials headed by Hon. Barangay Captain Guilly D. Lakim visited the Office of the Principal of Upper Klinan National High School, in the person of Mr. Pedro T. Dajay, and discussed the possibility of opening a high school at Barangay Landan to be an Annex School of Upper Klinan National High School. They were advised then to prepare the necessary documents for endorsement to the Office of the Schools Division Superintended of the Division of South Cotabato.

There was a positive response to the said endorsement. Three months later, Mr. Cesar B. Ollosa, the then Schools Division Superintendent together with other Division Personnel, made an ocular inspection of the proposed school site and conducted interviews to some residents and prospective students. After a thorough evaluation, the Schools Division Superintendent handed its approval.

Thus on June 2004, Landan National High School was born, as an additional campus of Upper Klinan National High School under the management and supervision of the principal of the main campus. The operation started with only three (3) year levels, First, Second, and Third Year Level. There were two (2) sections for the 1st Year, one (1) section for the 2nd Year, and one (1) section for the 3rd Year. The total enrolment was two hundred and fifty (250). Classes were held at the Barangay Hall compound using the bleachers and temporary classrooms to accommodate the students. The Parent-Teachers and Community Association was the one responsible of paying for the salaries of the six (6) teachers and one (1) support staff who were hired. The following school year 2005-2006, there was a big increase of enrolment, thus, for the exigency of service, three (3) nationally paid teachers from the main school were detailed to the newly opened school for more learning conveniences of the students. Four (4) more teachers were hired and were paid by the Local School Board of the Municipality of Polomolok. Books and other learning equipments and even supplies were provided by the mother school.

Three years after its existence, the school was declared by Miss Ma. Nenita T. Golez, Schools Division Superintendent of the Division of South Cotabato as an Annex school of Upper Klinan National High School wherein Mr. Wilfredo A. Barluado was installed as the Head of the School with thirteen (13) strong teachers and one (1) support staff under his management and supervision.

While classes were still held at the temporary classrooms, the Local Government of Polomolok, under the administration of Hon. Isidro D. Lumayag constructed a 2-classroom building at the school site. When the building was finished, the 3rd and 4th year classes were moved to the said building while the 1st and 2nd year classes remained until another building was constructed by the Provincial Government of South Cotabato, under the administration of Hon. Daisy Avance-Fuentes, which gave the reason for the total transfer of all classes in the site with some classes held in makeshift classrooms.

A year later, Mr. Barluado transferred to the mother school as principal taking the position of Mr. Pedro T. Dajay who was promoted as education Supervisor in the Division of South Cotabato. Mr. Stephen Salazar then took the headship or Landan National High School. However, two years later, he was transferred to another high school somewhere in the Upper Valley.

Due to the vacancy of the position, the Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, Mr. Allan G. Farnazo detailed Mr. Ruel F. Penaflorida, the head of the Pablo Valencia National High School to Landan National High School. However, weeks later, he went back to his previous station because the Barangay Council of Koronadal Proper where the school is located passed a resolution to the Division Office for his retention. For this reason and for the exigency of service, Mrs. Ninfa B. Macabenta, Master Teacher I of Polomolok National High School was directed to head the school effective August 6, 2007.

Today, Landan National High School is a fast growing school. It caters the learning needs of more than four hundred clienteles where sixty percent (60%) are Indigenous People, the Blaan. The school has fourteen (14) strong and able teachers where seven (7) of whom are paid by the Municipal School Board, two (2) by the Provincial School Board and five (5) nationally-paid who are borrowed from Upper Klinan National High School, the mother school. It has one (1) clerk who is also paid by the Parent Teachers and Community Association of the school.

With the present set up, the school is experiencing a little difficulty because of the lack of classrooms. With eight (8) classes, only five (5) are accommodated in concrete classrooms, while the three (3) are housed in dilapidated temporary classrooms made of light materials.
Landan National High School has a one (1) hectare school site. It is located more or less three hundred (300) meters away from the Barangay Hall of Landan. It is quite elevated from the Barangay road but can be reached by any means of transportation.

Total number of students fro school year 2007-2008 was four hundred fifty eight (458). According to Mrs. Ninfa B. Macabenta, educational resource materiasl such as Math, English, Science books are most useful for the school. School supplies such as writing books for English, drawing books for Arts classes and Music books are commonly needed by the students for use in their group activities.

Notes: Report submitted by Landan National High School thru Ms. Josseth Ante-Malida. The photos were courtesy of Gemalyn L. Carino as part of her college thesis for Mindanao State University.

Kipalkuda Elementary School (KES)








“GFI shipment of books and school supplies was excellent and perfectly suited for the needs of the school, some of which never seen before.” – Datu Wali Mission on turn over to Kipalkuda Elementary School

The two boxes of books and school supplies raised during the Ball O Fun event was turned over to Kipalkuda Elementary School in New La Union, Maitum, Sarangani Province last November 14, 2008. The turn over was facilitated by the Datu Wali Mission (http://www.datuwalimission.org/), the GFI’s partner in the project implementation for this school.

Dan Evans, DWM Director, shared that he was privileged to witness the joy of teachers and students during the turn over. “It was a wonderful experience to watch them sort through the items they received, some of which they have never seen before. This was an excellent variety of things for the students and teachers at Kipalkuda. Three of the teachers and about 100 tribal students gathered in and around the small room that serves as the school library and office to see the treasures received.”

Experiences prior to the turn-over were also expressed by Dan Evans in his e-mail for GFI. “Because of the weight and size of the boxes, and the challenge in delivering them to the mountain school, we transferred and sorted the contents before taking them to New La Union, the barangay in which Kipalkuda school resides. We withheld the clothing and toys that were sent, to assemble them along with toys and clothing received in a previous GFI shipment, for a separate distribution to children most in need around Christmas. But this shipment of books and school supplies was excellent and perfectly suited for the needs of the school.”

“Kipalkuda is one of the most disadvantaged schools in Sarangani Province, so the help they are receiving from Galing Foundation is very significant. Our organization, Datu Wali Mission, provides the school with writing paper, pencils, pens, crayons, scissors, glue, construction paper and other supplies for all six grades, plus the mayor's office delivers a limited amount of similar items for grade 1 pupils once or twice a year. Without this type of help, children would be reduced to writing with charcoal on banana leaves or tree bark. The school supplies GFI sent this time are very important and directly affect the ability of these children, neglected by society in this country, to learn to read, write and do basic math.”

Local partnerships are very important strategy for community development efforts. Dan Evans noted the significance of GFI’s intervention in this school along with the existing efforts done by their ministry and the local government in making a holistic impact. “The books received in this shipment represent an amazing and totally appropriate collection of references and reading materials to contribute to the learning experience at this school.

With the help of Galing Foundation, Datu Wali Mission, and others, Kipalkuda has become academically competitive with other schools in this district, after suffering for many years as the least successful of schools in this region. It is also a huge morale booster for teachers, who make great sacrifices to traverse the dangerous mountain roads between town and the school each day. Teachers formerly resisted assignments at Kipalkuda because of risks from rebels, the dangerous roads, poor student attendances, and the general hardships of going to and being in New La Union each day. Now, teachers apply for assignments at this school, because it has improved so much under the sponsorship of our organizations.”

On behalf of the Kipalkuda Elementary School, the Datu Wali Mission also wishes to extend a big thank you and appreciation for GFI donors, the teachers, students and parents, and all partner organizations here in the US for their respective efforts in this great endeavor.

Notes: This report was originally posted at www.projectgaling.blogspot.com. Photos are courtesy of Datu Wali Mission (www.datuwalimission.org).

Maligo Day Care School (MDCS)





Maligo Day Care School has been a recipient of some pre-school educational materials sent to Maligo Elementary School in 2008. This kind of sharing resource materials have mutaully benefited the school and their community as a whole. It is also the thrust of their local government, the Barangay Council, to support early childhood development and the assistance they are receiving from GFI is helpful to achieve this goal.

As of January 2009 profile, the Maligo Day Care School has 34 students in which 20 are girls and 14 are boys. These students comprises from nursery, K1 and K2 pupils. Their teacher-in-charge is Gloria L. Paman.
Note: Photos courtesy of GFI Mindanao Outreach Coordinator and Brgy. Council of Maligo.


Maligo Elementary School (MES)







Brgy. Maligo is one of the rural barangays of the Muncipality of Polomolok in the South Cotabato, Southern Mindanao. It is located at the foot of Mt. Matutum and has a land area of 1, 902 hectares divided into 9 villages. It is 14 kms. away from the town center and accessible by jeepneys, tricycles, and hired motorcycles locally known as “habal-habal”.
Maligo Elementary School was established on June 1980 as a Primary School. Currently, it operates as a complete elementary school as the enrollment population grew in 2007. According to the School Principal, Ms. Lorie T. Yayong, the school has 10,000 square meters with 7 classrooms and only 6 teachers. A total number of 144 indigent students are enrolled for the school year 2008-2009 in Maligo Elementary School. Parents of the school children are mostly farmers belonging to different groups such as the Blaan tribe, Muslims, Cebuanos, Ilonggos, and Ilocanos.

“Due to poverty, the parents cannot provide the children the things that they need in their studies. Our school lack school uniforms including shoes and socks. They lack school materials like paper, pencil, ball pens, crayons, notebooks, and even school bags that made them uninterested in going to school. Our school needs dictionaries, globes and maps, science apparatus like microscope and others. I am very thankful that you send us story books and toys. Our school children were very excited to read and play with them. It is of great help on our part to have these things” according to Ms. Lorie T. Yayong in a letter sent to GFI.

In addition, Barangay Captain Roger S. Garmino has expressed his appreciation for the Galing Foundation, Inc. (GFI) for choosing Maligo Elementary School as one of the GFI recipient schools in the Philippines. In his letter, he further stressed that “The school is in need of English Webster dictionaries, globes and maps, science apparatuses, and teaching materials for the teachers; clothing and shoes for the students. The school does not have library but the books and stuffed toys were distributed per classroom and grade. Each teacher was accountable to manage and handle the books and the stuffed toys. The students were overjoyed in reading the books and playing the toys, for it is their first time to receive such materials from a foundation.”

For our GFI supporters and donors, the Barangay Council of Maligo and the School Principal has expressed this, “We highly appreciated the continual support and sharing your blessings to Maligo Elementary School”. The photos for the turn over of 2007 GFI boxes was a big event in the school that was organized and attended by the Barangay Council Officials, teachers and students.

GFI is also recognizing the efforts of our local GFI volunteers, Mrs. Jocelyn Robles and Mrs. Grace Wanda for facilitating the proper turn over of GFI boxes, coordinating with the school and for sending documentation to GFI.
Notes:
1. Map showing the different barangays of Polomolok came from the official government website of the town of Polomolok.
2. Photos are courtesy GFI Mindanao Outreach Coordinator and the Barangay Council of Maligo.

Mindanao Youth Leadership Award Nomination Form*

Complete Name: _______________________________________

Name of the School: _____________________________________

Complete Address of the School: ______________________________________

Date: __________________

Please provide a rationale in each area why this student has been nominated (use another extra sheet if needed).

A. Academic Excellence (60%):

B. Service (10%):

C. Leadership (20%):

D. Character (10%):

Total rating of the nominee:_______%

Submitted by: __________________________
Position/Designation

Contact Number:

Upon completion of this form, please submit it to:

Jocelyn C. Robles
GFI Mindanao Outreach Coordinator
Lot. 16, Block 16
DARBCI Homes, Apopong
9500 General Santos City

*This form is just applicable for the GFI Mindanao assisted schools that have signified interest in participating for the project.

GFI Mindanao Outreach– Youth Leadership Award (YLA) Concept

Background:

In May 2007, the Galing Foundation, Inc. (GFI) started its outreach in Mindanao with one school and has now grown into four (5) schools with primarily indigent school children. These schools have no library place and even educational resource materials that could be of help to enhance their learning process and develop their skills especially in reading English. With the assistance of GFI, the teachers and students are now enjoying to use the educational resource materials sent and are considering to establish their respective school libraries. As reported by the GFI Mindanao local coordinator, GFI’s intervention gave the students the hope and pride to excel in their academics.

The concept of the GFI – Youth Leadership Award (YLA) was launched in Atlanta last December 2007. The awarding was done during the year-end community dinner of the Atlanta Fil-Am community leaders with the Honorary Consul General. To date, there are two YLA recipients from the youth leaders of the Atlanta Fil-Am community. This concept or model will be launched for the different GFI assisted schools in Mindanao during their respective commencement exercises in March 2009. In addition to this, Best in English award will also be given in each school level. The invitation for participation to project was formally communicated and coordinated with the respective schools.

The GFI-Mindanao Outreach partners and local volunteers will also be given certificates of appreciation for their labor of love in supporting educational development.


Project Goal:

The goal for this project is to support the respective schools during their 2009 commencement exercises by giving awards to students that have shown exemplary academic accomplishments and appreciation of volunteers to the mission of GFI.


Project Objectives:

1. To award GFI medals for Best in English in each school grade/level.
2. To award a GFI trophy and framed certificate for the GFI-Youth Leadership Awardee in each school level.
3. To award certificates of appreciation for GFI Mindanao partners and local volunteers.


Selection and Awarding Process:

There will be two major categories for this project, the Best in English and the over all school recipient of the GFI-Mindanao YLA. Each category will have the following selection process.

A. Best in English

1) The teacher in charge in each grade/year level per school will identify the best English reader/writer based on the educational merit system of the school.

2) The approved final list of awardees in each school level will be submitted to the GFI local volunteer/partner organization for validation/documentation.

3) The Best in English awardees will receive a gold medal from GFI.

4) The awarding will be in alignment with the commencement exercises of the school. The GFI local volunteer shall coordinate with the respective school principal for the proper turn over and assigning of the medals for identified recipients.

5) Documentation during the ceremonies will be posted in the GFI website.


B. GFI – Mindanao YLA

1) For consistency, the criteria for selection will be modeled after the standard
GFI-YLA with focus on the following core of disciplines:

Academic Excellence (60%): Each nominee shall provide proof of academic achievement as well as active involvement in extra-curricular activities of the school;

Service (10%): Renders willingly service to his/her schools or communities when called upon and provides help and assistance when he/she sees a need;

Leadership (20%): Demonstrates leadership inside and outside the school. Exemplifies positive qualities and attitudes, which other students can look up to; and

Character (10%): Demonstrates concern for others. Sets a positive example for other students to emulate. Displays an exemplary disposition towards people.

2) The GFI standard format for the nomination will be used for each school. For equal participation, announcement for the nomination will be posted in school bulletin boards.

3. Only one GFI – YLA will be awarded for each school level (elementary or high
school).

The awardees will receive a GFI trophy and certificate (signed by Hon. Consul General Raoul Donato, GFI Executive Director Toni Daya-Luetgers, and the GFI Mindanao Director).

Upon availability, the GFI Mindanao local volunteer will do the awarding on behalf of the GFI if allowed by the school. Otherwise, the respective school commencement exercises committee will give the award.

The profile of the respective awardees will be featured in the GFI website.

The YLA selection committee will be composed by the respective school teacher/principal (if applicable), GFI Mindanao local volunteer, GFI Mindanao Director and the GFI Executive Director.


Monitoring and Evaluation:

For implementation efficiency, this project will be monitored and evaluated by the GFI Mindanao Outreach Coordinator, GFI Mindanao local volunteers/partner schools and finally by the GFI Board as basis for continuing the project for the next year.

Friday, March 6, 2009

GFI Mindanao Outreach 5-Year Plan

Background:

In the Philippines, one out of six school-age Filipino children is not enrolled as revealed by the Department of Education and the National Statistical Coordination Board (NCSB).

For school year 2006-2007, the Net Enrollment Ratio (NER) or the participation rate for the elementary level (Filipino children aged 6-11) was 83.2 percent, thus, down by 1.2 percentage points from previous school year. Scenario for the secondary education is even worse, the rate of participation from school year 2002-2007 is just 43.7 percent of all Filipinos aged 12-15 – the official age for high school – failed to enroll.

According to the NCSB, these figures for both elementary and secondary education indicate that the country is still far from achieving the goal of providing basic education to all based on UNESCO’s World Declaration on Education for All (EFA), UN’s Millennium Development Goal (MDG) on education as well as the Philippine EFA 2015 Plan, which serves as the blue print for the country’s basic education.

Among the different regions of the Philippines, there is a wide disparity of education figures, with most of the conflict-ridden Mindanao trailing behind urban centers. Majority of the provinces in Mindanao are in the bottom 20 of the NER for both elementary and high school levels. Moreover, poor education and low NER performance ranking in southern Mindanao is attributed by poverty, lack of access to basic education tools and resources for both the teachers and the students, and coupled with the long-standing armed conflict that could disrupt classes at any point of time. These core concerns have affected student’s participation at school have contributed to the school’s over all performance such as low achievement rate and academic performance, especially in English, Science and Mathematics.

The GFI Mindanao Outreach that was started in 2007 targeted to help establish school libraries and provision of some education resource materials among the Blaan and Tboli indigenous peoples group of southern Mindanao, specifically the provinces of South Cotabato and Sarangani with NER ranking of 15. Specifically, GFI has been doing outreach for five schools namely the Maligo Day Care School (MDCS), Maligo Elementary School (MES), Kipalkuda Elementary School (KES), Landan National High School (LNHS) and the Blaan Dalel Christian Academy (BDCA) with the total combined student population of 1,469 for school year 2008-2009. GFI’s intervention to these respective schools is also making significant impact to their community and the active involvement of the local government officials.

5-Year Plan:

Within 5 years (2007-2012), GFI Mindanao Outreach wanted to achieve the following:
1. In Atlanta, GFI will continuously collect books and other education resources/school supplies based on the need of the respective schools;
2. Maintain good partnership and communication with the respective school principal and or officer-in-charge as well as local government officials for feedback and documentation on the project’s impact thru the GFI local volunteers;
3. Replicate GFI programs such as the Youth Leadership Award, Best in English Award, Reading and Visual Arts Workshops, etc.;
4. Assist the school in their library establishment such as books cataloguing training, library user’s tracking/documentation workshop; and
5. When school libraries are established in each school, GFI will move on to another pilot school for outreach expansion but will continue/sustain the other youth leadership related awards and empowerment activities.

Strategies for implementing the plan:

1. Build strong community support from individual donors, partner government agencies, local non-profit organizations for both financial or in-kind donations of books and school supply;
2. Creating the annual monitoring and evaluation form to be filled up by each of the school;
3. Getting feedbacks, reports, documentation from the volunteers, the teachers and the students on the impact of GFI’s assistance with respect to the school’s academic performance, student’s annual Net Enrollment Ratio (NER), etc;
4. Updating the donors, supporters about the school’s progress report thru a GFI newsletter, the GFI website/blog sites and thru exhibits; and
5. Giving certificates of appreciation for donors, volunteers, partners for helping GFI achieve its mission.

GFI Mission and Objectives

Galing Foundation, Inc. is a non profit charitable foundation in Georgia, USA with E.I.N. 20-5508331 *http://www.galingfoundation.com/ * http://projectgaling.blogspot.com/

GFI Mission

Our mission is to provide books to public libraries and school supplies to indigent children in the Philippines.

“Education is the key to Asia’s success” Former Philippines President Fidel V. Ramos


GFI Objectives

1) To partner with rural public libraries, providing them materials that will facilitate a learning environment available to all children;

2) To provide indigent school children access to books (encyclopedias, dictionaries, textbooks, references) with emphasis on early childhood education enabling them to acquire functional English literacy

3) To provide educational and training tools (books & videos) to teachers and caregivers; and

4)To provide indigent children school supplies and decent clothing.


GFI History

Galing is a Filipino word that means “Great”. GFI believes that every child is indeed GREAT! It was founded by Ms. Toni Daya-Luetgers in May 12, 2005 with 40 indigent school children in Lucban, Quezon Province. GFI was incorporated in the State of Georgia on June 26, 2006. In 2007, it started its outreach among schools in Visayas and Mindanao.As of March 2009, there are 14 schools assisted by GFI.