VIDES holds 14th Annual Mission Camp

VIDES aligns Mission Camp with 20th UN CRC

One for Others

and the official ID were given

to each of the volunteers.

Finally, the most awaited mo-

ment came.

On Sunday, August 23, a total

of 1,703 participants, 500 pa-

tients, 56 volunteers, 87 train-

ees, and 30 medical volun-

teers joined the 2009 VIDES

Annual Mission Camp.

Now on it’s 14th year, VIDES

holds the annual mission

camp in Hacienda Malihao,

Victorias City, Negros Occi-

dental with the theme, “May K

Kami!”.

Fifty-six volunteers took time

off from their regular week-

ends, leaving behind their

comfort zones and the glitters

of city life.

Thanks to the airline promos,

100% of the volunteers were

able to reach the Silay airport

in time for the preparations

for the Mission Camp.

As early as Thursday, August

20, some VIDES volunteers

already went ahead for the

inventory-taking and packing

of goods. With the trainees

from the LVWDTC, they were

able to finish the packing of

1,703 gift bags in the after-

noon of Friday, August 21.

After the packing, the orienta-

tion for the trainees assisting

the volunteers in the group-

ings for the mission day was

conducted.

Majority of the VIDES volun-

teers arrived on Friday, Au-

gust 21, and were surprised

by the executive type of wel-

come given by the trainees.

In preparation for the camp,

the formation of volunteers

was held on Saturday, August

22. The sending-off ritual was

made during the solemn Eve-

ning Prayer, where the cross

province of Negros Occiden-

tal by providing them with

inputs on the UN CRC and

engaging them in slogan-

making, cheering, sharing,

discussion and reporting.

VIDES volunteers witnessed

the enthusiasm and active

participation of the children.

For this year’s mission camp,

the theme chosen by the

VIDES volunteers is “May K

Kami!”, short form of “May

Karapatan Kami!” (We have

rights!)

The choice is motivated by

the celebration of the 20th

anniversary of the United

Nations Convention on the

Rights of Children (UN CRC).

As an international NGO with

consultative status at the

United Nations, VIDES up-

holds and supports the pro-

grams of the UN. VIDES Phil-

ippines celebrates this mile-

stone with the children of the

In this issue:

• 14th VIDES Annual Mission Camp

• 20th Anniversary of UN CRC

• Advocacy on Positive Discipline

• Medical Mission

• Haircutting Services

• Livelihood Projects

• Gift-giving

• Volunteerism

• Formation

• Spirituality

• Mission Camp 2009 Donors

The Official Publication of VIDES Philippines Volunteers Foundation, Inc.

of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians

August 31, 2009

Special Issue

Mission Camp in progress… presentation of cheers!

500 patients were given their pre-

numbered stubs before the mission camp

day. This facilitated the systematic ac-

commodation of patients for this year’s

medical mission.

It is also a blessing that for this year,

VIDES was able to invite the Past Pupils of

St. Mary Mazzarello School to gather the

medical volunteers from the locality. On

the mission day, thirty (30) medical vol-

unteers from Bacolod City rendered their

services to the patients.

Volunteer doctors from Manila likewise

joined the medical mission.

The medicines and vitamins were pro-

vided by VIDES, thanks to the generous

influx of donations from old friends, ac-

quaintances and pharmaceutical compa-

nies.

Haircutting Services An indispensable part of the annual mis-

sion camp is the free haircutting services.

100 pre-numbered stubs were distributed

prior to the mission camp day.

Six volunteer-haircutters freely rendered

their creative services to young boys and

girls and their fathers and mothers.

The people from the haciendas look for-

ward to this luxury of having their hair cut

by professional haircutters at least once a

year. For them, it is indeed it is a privi-

lege to be given this special treat.

Advocacy on Positive Discipline

Medical Mission

Page 2 One for Others

As a member of the Child’s Rights Net-

work (CRN), VIDES Philippines advocates

and supports Positive Discipline. This is

an advocacy against corporal punishment

of children.

In the Philippines, studies reveal that 85%

of children suffer from corporal punish-

ment. This includes physical, emotional

and psychological harm inflicted on chil-

dren which diminishes their self-

confidence and destroys their self-

esteem.

The posters and slogans done by the chil-

dren reveal how much they value dia-

logue, understanding and respect. The

input given by the volunteers on their

rights as children (UN CRC) opened their

minds to their rights and responsibilities

as Filipino citizens.

Prior to the creation of small groups, the

VIDES volunteers performed a skit de-

picting the historical background on the

drafting of the UN CRC as well as the

fruitful effects of positive discipline in the

home.

The presentation of cheers in the assem-

bly brought greater awareness on their

rights as children and at the same time

painted a very festive atmosphere in the

hall.

Indeed, “may K kami!”.

Translation:

“Discipline children the right way,

Talk to us deeply and sincerely,

that you may understand us.”

“Call us anytime and we’ll be

there! It’s a privilege for us

to be of service to others and

to share our blessings with

our brothers and sisters.”

- VIDES Volunteers

Volunteer doctors treat 500 patients at the medical mission

Mothers and fathers waiting for their turn

in the medical check-up made full use of

their time by attending the livelihood

programs especially prepared by the

VIDES Volunteers for them.

A cooking session was opened for moth-

ers, where they had the opportunity to

learn, hands on, how to prepare banana

chips and other delicacies.

Sessions on poultry farming and agricul-

ture were likewise conducted to inter-

ested fathers.

Christmas in August

Livelihood Projects for Fathers and Mothers

Once again, VIDES awards ten piglets to

ten newly-selected families.

Known as “Baboy Mo, Buhay Ko” (Your

Pig, My Life), this livelihood project seeks

to provide a sustainable source of income

for indigent families residing in the vicin-

ity of the convent of the Daughters of

Mary Help of Christians.

The funds used to procure these ten new

piglets were derived from the income

from previous piglets that had been

awarded by VIDES to other families in

recent years.

The Sisters facilitate the follow up of fami-

lies to whom these piglets were awarded.

At the end of the mission day, the 1,703

participants lined up in order to receive

their gift bags from the Salesian Sisters

and the VIDES Volunteers.

Trainees of LVWDTC assisted the chil-

dren and mothers queuing for their gifts.

It felt like Christmas in August.

In the sugarcane industry, August is the

leanest in the cycle, where laborers had

no pay for lack of work to be done in the

cane fields. For this reason, the cup-

board and the kitchen table are usually

left empty and bare. Families normally

experience greater poverty and hunger.

Many times, they find themselves

steeped in debt in striving to meet their

daily basic needs.

VIDES hopes to bring smiles on the chil-

dren’s faces when they receive toys,

food, clothes and other goodies.

Through the generous contributions of

highly-motivated people, VIDES was able

to give each child two kilos of rice, two

canned goods, one brand new t-shirt, two

pieces of clothing, school supplies and

toiletries.

The “Eat and Meet” fund-raising of the

VIDES volunteers held in June 2009 was

mainly intended for this. Held for the

second time already, VIDES warmly

thanks and blesses those who continue to

support their noble endeavors. May

God, the Giver of all gifts, shower upon

you His abundant blessings!

“Baboy Mo, Buhay Ko” Livelihood Project

Page 3 Special Issue

Volunteers in action: passing on gift bags for 1,703 children and mothers

A piglet goes into the sack as VIDES awards it to one of the ten recipient-families.

Cooking for mothers and Poultry-farming for fathers

Children receive VIDES commemorative t-shirts specially made for the 20th UN CRC anniversary

Mission Camp Donors: Cynthia Manalastas

Lani Magdamo

Loida Faustino

Lani Azarcon

Jennifer Velasco

Yan Nar Chua

Necy Garcia

Juan Luis Faustmann

Puring Batin

Engr. & Mrs. Ferdinand Sales

Mr. & Mrs. Mat Regondola

Engr. Jojo Sales

Lalu Cal

Rowena Portes

Arlene Uy-Martinez

Atty. Noel Rivera

Atty. Giovanni Gallego

Starbucks Coffee

Mary Help of Christians School - Canlubang

Mary Help of Christians School - Pampanga

Mission Camp Partners: Rubine Lapore

Elisa Amatorio

Rebecca Comprendio

Ester Sta. Monica

Ramy Belarma

Fernie Pesaliza

St. Mary Mazzarello School - Victorias City

LVWDTC Malihao FMAs and Trainees

Past Pupils of SMMS Victorias City

Volunteerism VIDES Volunteers’ Objectives for joining the Mission Camp

1. To glorify God, to spread His love and goodness, to strengthen our faith in His providence, and to rediscover our life’s mean-ing and purpose by being sensitive, sacrificing, generous, and responsive to the needs of our brothers and sisters, particu-larly the poor children and families being served by the FMAs.

2. To be faithful to our Christian duty by sharing our resources –

time, treasures and skills – for the education and development of women and children through the medical mission, advocacy on children’s rights and human rights, livelihood education, and gift-giving among the children and their families.

3. To reinforce the children’s belief and hope in God’s kindness,

mercy, love and providence.

4. To renew and strengthen our spirit of volunteerism and our sense of belonging and membership to VIDES and the Salesian Family by living and experiencing volunteerism together with the other volunteers on a large scale and among the poorest youth.

5. To grow in our capacity to work in solidarity with other volun- teers and networks for the common good.

The Of f ic ia l Pub l ic a t i on o f VIDES Ph i l ipp ines Volun t eer s F ounda t ion , The Of f ic ia l Pub l ic a t i on o f VIDES Ph i l ipp ines Volun t eer s F ounda t ion , The Of f ic ia l Pub l ic a t i on o f VIDES Ph i l ipp ines Volun t eer s F ounda t ion , The Of f ic ia l Pub l ic a t i on o f VIDES Ph i l ipp ines Volun t eer s F ounda t ion ,

In c . o f th e Daugh ter s o f Mary He lp o f Chr i s t i an sInc . o f th e Daugh ter s o f Mary He lp o f Chr i s t i an sInc . o f th e Daugh ter s o f Mary He lp o f Chr i s t i an sInc . o f th e Daugh ter s o f Mary He lp o f Chr i s t i an s Formation and Spirituality

The formation for this year’s mission camp dwelt on the latest encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI: “Caritas in Veritate” (Love in Truth). In our being ONE FOR OTHERS, we are called to serve and to be in solidarity with our brothers and sisters, to contribute in a concrete way in building the kingdom of God here and now, by making His love and His mission alive in us. “Love in truth is the principle around which the Church’s social doctrine turns, a principle that takes on practical form in the criteria that govern moral action, especially on justice and the common good.” (Caritas in Veritate no. 6)

VIDES Volunteers and FMAs at prayer.

Mission Camp Donors: VIDES Korea

Norwegian Crew Management (NCM)

Students of Don Bosco School -Manila

Daughters of Mary Help of Christians

VIDES Tokyo

VIDES Shizuoka

Salesio High School (Japan)

Meguro High School (Japan)

Shimizu Parish Church (Japan)

John and Lucille Mower

Sanya Faustmann

Marty Manalastas - Timbol

Shirley Uy-Calibo

Dr. Catherine Sheng - Young

Dr. Melanie Pulgar

“Eat and Meet” Donors

Joe Tankers

Capt. Rene Kruidenier

Marcelina Estacio

Connie Haw

Pascual Laboratories, Inc.

Advance Paper Corporation

Arlene Uy-Martinez

Benny Antiporda

Susan Cristobal

Anne Sevilla

Be a volunteer. Join us! VIDES Philippines Volunteers Foundation, Inc.VIDES Philippines Volunteers Foundation, Inc.VIDES Philippines Volunteers Foundation, Inc.VIDES Philippines Volunteers Foundation, Inc.

3500 V. Mapa Ext., Sta. Mesa 1016, Manila, Philippines

Tel (02) 703-5606 Fax (02) 715-6740

Email: videspinoy@gmail.com http://videsphil.multiply.com

Thank you

to all our Mission Camp Donors, Partners, and Volunteers!

May God bless you all!