Letter for the Alkansiya campaign

Now that I actually work for HOPE my attachment to the cause has deepened. Nakakalungkot talaga kung iisipin na once naabuso na ang bata, nawawala na ang innocence niya, and in a sense, ang purity niya. Maraming epekto ang child abuse (physical man or sexual).

I never experienced any form of sexual abuse. Grateful talaga ako that I was spared from it, but not a lot of women are as lucky as I am. I feel like I owe it to the children of today to protect them and share with them what I already know about abuse.

Sa 'Pinas ngayon, taboo na pag-usapan ang incest, molestation, paedophilia. Nakakalungkot kasi ang mga bata ang nagsa-suffer kasi hindi nila kayang ipaglaban ang karapatan nila. They need us to do the fighting for them. But not because bata sila, wala silang magagawa para protektahan ang sarili nila.

That's the point of the personal safety training. The training will teach the kids what parts of their bodies should not be touched by other people. IT will teach them to say "no" when somebody wants to bad touch them, run, and tell someon they trust.

We have to empower them, and to teach their families.

Limang piso (P5) lang to register one child for the said training. This year, we will teach 1,000,000 children personal safety lessons. You can help out by volunteering to be one of the discussion facilitators when we visit barangays. But, if time doesn't allow you to go, you can help by registering children. Every P5 pays for 1 child.

Can you imagine, your P5 may mean sparing a child from sexual abuse forever? Ano ba naman ang P5, di ba?

I'd like to share with you my personal goal. My personal goal is that by October 16 (Monday), I will start saving at least P5 per day in an alkansya. Why am I doing this? Pwede naman ako magbigay na lang ng P500 pesos di ba para hindi na ako mahirapan mag-ipon?

The point is, tuwing maghuhulog ako ng P5 (or more) sa alkansya, araw-araw, maaalala ko na tumutulong ako, one child at a time, na ma-prevent ang child abuse from happening.

You can join me friends! If you decide to do so, we can turn over the alkansya on December, together with other friends who might want to support the same campaign. You can invite your friends to do the same :)

If you are interested to know more about this cause, please e-mail me ingridc_le@yahoo.com

Ingrid C. Le

Channels of blessings to the children

Dear friends, alkansya mates, brothers and sisters in the Lord,

A blessed day!

I just want to encourage you and commend your hearts for listening to the prompting of your hearts to help the children of our generation. I happen to believe that it is God who moves people's hearts to give, and you have acted on what moved you.

Child sexual abuse may be happening mostly in slums, yet it is really a "silent" epidemic that is destroying the children in all levels, regardless of political, social, and economic standing. Now that you have involved yourself in the cause somehow, you may share it with your friends. You will be amazed that people who you know are carrying scars of sexual abuse from their childhood.

I'd like to share some inspiring quotes from the Bible that show that what you are doing to spare the children from abuse is commended by God as well.

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." Proverbs 31:8

When I read this scripture, it struck me as a very appropriate description of what we are doing for the children. We are speaking up for them. Children normally have good and amazing things to say. The problem is, society doesn't listen to them much nor take them seriously. For us, they are just children. Through our effort in empowering the children of our nation, we are amplifying their voices, so they can be heard.

I'm sure isa lang ang gusto nila, "Maging masaya at malaya bilang mga bata?" Isn't that what we wanted when we were all children?

"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believes in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." Matthew 18:5-6

This is hard line teaching from Jesus. It is better to die than to cause the little children to sin. Child sexual abuse destroys the innocence, the trust, the purity of a child. What we want is not to "cure" children from abuse, but to spare children from abuse. That is why we are teaching them personal safety lessons.

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: 'He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 2 Corinthians 9:8-9

What we have is not meant to be used for ourselves alone, but to be shared with others. Some of God's gifts to the poor or the needy are in our treasure boxes. He wants us to give it to them. Thank you for realizing that. You are being a channel of blessing to the children and their families.

Having said all these, congratulations because you are on the right track! Encourage your friends to do the same. Here are so far the list of people who are keeping their own alkansyas for the empowerment of the children (let me know if you have friends who joined you):

1. Ingrid C. Le
2. Jolly Zamora
3. Lolit Roque
4. Joan Saldana
5. Ann Reales
6. Janis Nunez
7. Michelle Laurel - (will propose that an alkansyas be placed in her son's school)
8. Marie Carasucho
9. Carol Cristobal
10. Michele Tabacug
1 1. Jo Lopez (will help a different way)
1 2. Bong Orina (will help a different way)
13. Airem Cacdac
14. Gelbert Aplal
15. Dang Domingo
16. Arnel Villareal
17. Marc and Rose Cacho
18. Rosario Sambita
19. Briana, CJ, Danielle Lopez
20. Everlyn Alamo
21. Eugene
22. Jennil Aurelio
23. Lyly Domanais
24. Fida Samar
25. Rene and Kathy Rentino
26. Anabel Ung
27. Yana and Stefi Monje
28. Shein Alcantara
29. Maribel Wong-Liu (will put alkansya's in her gym)

God bless all of you!

St. Paul SRB graduates of 1996 support alkansya campaign for children

Excited ako kasi a number of my high school classmates are joining the alkansya campaign. Sabi ko nga sa kanila, we can have a reunion for a cause. O di ba? Thanks batchmates! Thanks for your big, big hearts for the children!

Members of the Alkansiya tropa:

1. Ingrid C. Le
2. Jolly Zamora
3. Lolit Roque
4. Joan Saldana
5. Ann Reales
6. Janis Nunez
7. Michelle Laurel - (will propose that an alkansyas be placed in her son's school)
8. Marie Carasucho
9. Carol Cristobal
10. Michele Tabacug 1
1. Jo Lopez (will help a different way) 1
2. Bong Orina (will help a different way)
13. Airem Cacdac
14. Gelbert Aplal
15. Dang Domingo
16. Arnel Villareal
17. Marc and Rose Cacho
18. Rosario Sambita
19. Briana, CJ, Danielle Lopez
20. Everlyn Alamo
21. Eugene
22. Jennil Aurelio
23. Lyly Domanais
24. Fida Samar
25. Rene and Kathy Rentino
26. Anabel Ung
27. Yana and Stefi Monje

Our need to make a difference

I really believe in the human heart to respond to the needs of others. There's a part of our humanity that wants, even longs to make a difference in this world. I'm saying this because I'm seeing with my own eyes how people are responding to the initiative to keep an alkansya (coin bank) to register children for personal safety training.

I used to dread the word, "fundraising" or "solicitation" until I was made to understand that fundraising is friendraising. Indeed, I've met a lot of people because of my work in HOPE. Now I realized that going to people to ask them to help others is not "dyahe", it's good news.

When I approach someone to join me in the alkansya campaign, I am in essence, inviting him to fill a deep need inside him -- the need to be significant.

I am proud to recognize the people who have been added to the alkansya tropa since friday. They are the following.

Dang Domingo
"When i get off from work tonight i will go home with a goal that you encouraged me to have. I will discuss it with Elijah, this will also help him to have the heart to help and share what he has. When is your deadline for the submission of the savings? I think i missed that one detail.
keep me posted. "

Armel Villareal
"Yes you can count us in to support you. Just let us know kung kailan kayo punta dito sa Batangas. And we'll also incorporate your "Alkansa drive" to our Hope project here.
God bless!"

Marc and Rose Cacho
"Thank you for sharing your heart. i really admire your project. yeah, am willing to be a part of this project. i'll talk to marc about this. "

Briana, CJ, and Danielle Lopez
Jolly convinced them. Hehe

God bless the hearts of all these people and all those who have already signed up. To date, there are now 21 people joining the alkansiya campaign to register children for personal safety training.

Before I forget, I'd like to invite everyone to the launch of the "STOP CHILD ABUSE NOW!" campaign. It's happening on November 25, 2006, Quezon City Memorial Circle, 8 am to 12 nn.
This event will also kick off the campaign to empower 1 million children against child abuse.

So, mga ka-tropa, watch out!!!

You have what it takes to save a child from the perils of sexual abuse.

Effects of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA):

1. Dramatic mood swings, erratic behavior, and even severe conduct disorders;
2. Distrust of adults and difficulty in experiencing normal sexual relationships;
3. Increase in the risk of substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and suicidal behavior (Crowell and Burgess, 1996);
4. Possibility of a cycle of abuse, meaning victims expose future generations to CSA’s debilitating effects

-excerpt from a commentary by Dr. James Mercy’s, a researcher with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Mercy, J. A. (1999). Having New Eyes: Viewing Child Sexual Abuse as a Public Health Problem. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 11(4), 317-321

Give what it takes.

Dumadami ang nag-iipon para sa mga bata! (More and more people are saving up to register children for personal safety training)

What an encouraging day! I started e-mailing my friends regarding the campaign to keep an alkansya for the registration of children for the personal safety training. Just to reiterate, HOPE worldwide Philippines plans to give this training to 1,000,000 children per year. A child's registration is P5 only.

I started cascading a letter to my friends. From having 4 "alkansya mates" the previous day, I now have 14. Wow! I am excited at the thought that this group will be thinking of and saving for the children everyday. Mind you, it takes discipline to save (set aside) anything per day. So, hindi lang pera ang ibinibigay, puso din.

The following friends have signed up so far:

1. Ingrid C. Le
2. Jolly Zamora
3. Lolit Roque
4. Joan Saldana
5. Ann Reales
6. Janis Nunez
7. Michelle Laurel - (will propose that an alkansyas be placed in her son's school)
8. Marie Carasucho
9. Carol Cristobal
10. Michele Tabacug
11. Jo Lopez (will help a different way)
12. Bong Orina (will help a different way)
13. Airem Cacdac
14. Gelbert Aplal

I managed to capture some of their responses. I purposely removed their names kasi they might not want to be recognized. Hehe.

Count me in, as well as my boyfriend. We will be more than willing to share our blessings to this very good cause. I’ll be forwarding this to our friends too.

Sorry, now lang ako naka-reply since you sent your previous email with the powerpoint presentation. Been really busy. But I have already seen it and it’s cool. (personal note follows)

See you soon!

*****
One woman added her own
"Join Now !!!" and then forwarded the letter to the whole Metro Batangas Church

*****
Actually, my wife & I talked this morning on how can we help for HOPE worldwide campaign. We decided to give cash that may somehow can help and contribute to the campaign of saving children from sexual abuse. Co-incident that I recieved an email from you today.
I'll just give it tonight at devo.

Thanks & GOD bess...

***

Good to hear from you, yes, lets help the children, actually meron na kung alkasya personal savings ko pero sige ibibigay ko na lang para csa para makatulong, will ask na rin sa ibang kakilala ko baka gustong magbigay kahit 5 pesos, i'm sure God is happy for that, have a great day!

***
I got yoour email...It was indeed a good idea...Sige tutulong >ako sa organization nyo in whatever way i could ha...Gusto ko yung makasama > ako sa mga visit nyo sa mga barangay...Lalo na siguro pag medyo sa mga >provinces, gusto ko tlaga yung ganun...I'll try to save din ha...=)...

****

I'll join you with the alikancia ...:-)
I'll walk from pasay road to the office instead
of riding jeep..so everytime i walk the 4 blocks,
i'll think of helping a child from sexual abuse..
and I emailed this powerpoint to my office mates...
and friends too..

****
I won't be able to volunteer as a discussion facilitator for now but I'm willing to save a fund to help the children be registered. Actually, I have been keeping an alkansya for HOPE since last year. I've been saving coins for whatever project HOPE might lunch...I guess there is no better project to put it in than fighting the CSA.

I'll keep in touch to join you at the turn over on Dec. And I'll share this advocacy with my friends & former officemates.

Thank you for this invitation. May God bless you too, and the continuous fight of HOPE for the welfare of the children.


Some more great news. One woman will talk to her son's school to allow the placing of alkansiyas in the campus. That way, children can help other children, di ba? It's actually a good training for kids to know that they can do something to help others in their own little ways.

It tell you, it is very, very encouraging to see people coming together for a great cause. Sabi nga sa church last night, "Better together". We can never underestimate the impact we can make in every child's life, in our nation's future. We don't need a media hype. We just need a great purpose and willing hearts, and we can save the children of our generation from easily falling prey to abuse.

Friends, more, more, more! Sign up and be counted! Suportahan natin ang proyekto ng HOPE worldwide Philippines na maprotektahan ang 1,000,000 mga bata taun-taon. Kaya natin 'to!

Announcements:

1. This early, I am suggesting that we turn in our alkansyas together in a date and place we will agree on. I am originally planning December, but if you have suggestions, open na open po ang floor. We will celebrate our victories together. Uy teka, pwede din sa February because "Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Week" is in February. What do you think?

2. You may use the letter I composed in inviting people for the alkansya campaign. It's available in this blog somewhere. However, I suggest that you add your personal touches para alam ng friends nyo that it's not a spam, it's something that you really believe in, something that you actually joined. Ok ba?

3. Please let me know the names of the people who joined, as much as possible. I'd like to add them to our growing list, para exciting! hehe

Well, I'll keep you updated probably every week. Na-excite lang ako kaya two days in a row ang e-mail. Hehe.

Sige, bye!

Ingrid

Victims are more than the stats can show

The latest report from DWSD (Jan-Sep 2005) shows that around 2000 children have been sexually abused for a period of six months. These are only the cases they served. This is very small compared to what's really happening out there.

I am amazed that since July, around 6 women I just randomly talked to told me that they have experienced sexual abuse as children. Nung college ako, I was very much involved with a campus ministry that enabled me to talk to several women in a personal level. Ang daming women na na-abuse. It came to the point that I'm no longer shocked when I hear that the person I'm talking to was abused. I learned to accept it. Or should I say, naging manhid na ako. (I became numb)

One mother (who was abused as a child) did not know that her own daughter also got sexually abused. The point is, mahirap malaman. Until mabigyan ng malayang space o avenue ang isang bata na magopen-up, mahirap malaman. The personal safety training of HOPE worldwide Philippines is such a venue for children to disclose about their experiences.

Just imagine, isang 5 or 6 or even 12 year old na bata, bearing the sufferings of abuse on her own. Mahirap 'yun. The child's body, mind, and heart was not designed to handle such kind of a trauma at an early age. Truth be said, the development of that child is disrupted. Hindi nakakapagtaka kung marami sa kanila ang nagkakaroon ng negative psychological problems.

In my next posts, I will be sharing some articles that I researched about abuse. Just try to read or browse through them. Maiintindihan nyo kung bakit ganito ka-fervent ang HOPE for this cause.

'Til then!