Fourteen (14) years ago, HOPE worldwide Philippines embarked on a mission to help make a difference in the lives of poor and needy Filipinos. What began as a medical mission has since blossomed into a holistic child welfare and protection system in different urban poor communities; a residential treatment center for abused children; a disaster response program for children in emergencies; advocacy programs on the prevention and identification of child abuse; community-center based programs; and volunteer programs in 17 provinces in the country.

HOPE worldwide Philippines started in 1993 by providing medical missions in seven major urban poor communities in Metro Manila. After a year of operation, the programs expanded into reaching out to street children all over Metro Manila and in the nearby cities. The full time staff and its large number of committed volunteers from churches and schools were trained to become child advocators for street children. Hundreds of street children were provided with alternative education opportunities, sports and recreational activities, supplemental feeding, counseling and referrals to partner institutions.

Despite the efforts of both government and non-government organizations to address this kind of problem, the number of street children in need for welfare keeps on increasing. During the process of intervention, reports clearly stated that most of these children were victims of sexual and physical abuse. HOPE worldwide Philippines developed innovative strategies and programs to attend to the needs thru community building. Community-based centers were established in different urban poor communities like Smokey Mountain in Tondo Manila, Baseco in Port Area Manila and in Payatas Quezon City. Another project that was developed to empower children for the prevention of child abuse from happening is the Mobile Puppet Theater, an advocacy and education program that goes to different schools and urban poor communities teaching and empowering children on personal safety rules. Thru these valuable approaches, field social workers identified a considerable number of cases of child abuse every week. There were times that they acknowledge having hard times in the referral of cases due to extensive demand in child protection.

HOPE worldwide cannot afford to close their doors to these children thus, they started by faith, a temporary residential program in Baseco Island to respond to the immediate need of the first seven (7) children identified as victims of abuse. After which, the organization decided to rent an apartment in Makati City due to additional of eight (8) more children. After 3 years of hard work, dedicated service and God’s providence, HOPE worldwide established a 2.2 hectare Residential and Treatment Facility accommodating sixty (60) children at a time. Unfortunately, social welfare agencies and the country’s child welfare system itself are overwhelmed by the needs of abused children and cannot accommodate the growing number of cases requiring residential care. Based on the Children’s Resource Guide, a catalogue of organizations offering direct services to children throughout Metro Manila, there are 19 organizations that cater to either sexually abused or exploited children. However, only nine of these centers are residential in nature. And only few employ a holistic and comprehensive program for the treatment, recovery and reintegration of the abused child. These centers can collectively accept a maximum of 398 children at one time. Also, upon interviewing some of the existing centers/facilities, many children have to be turned away, or resorted to “out-patient” therapy and counseling because of insufficient capacity. A recent survey conducted by The Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse, show that,

One out of every three Filipino children will be physically or sexually abused before reaching 14 years of age.

This reinforces the premise that most cases of child abuse and sexual abuse are undisclosed. Sadly, child abuse is growing and statistics have shown that there are tens of thousands of children who are and will be sexually abused. Clearly, there is a need for more treatment centers to address the large volume of cases especially those dealing with child sexual abuse.

To meet this need HOPE worldwide-Philippines established a Residential and Treatment Center, officially inaugurated and commissioned on February 5, 2005. This facility, named the Center of HOPE worldwide targets abused children, specializing in child sexual and physical abuse cases. The center offers short and medium-term residential care, treatment and placement meeting the holistic needs of each child. Residential care is primarily conducted through a total family approach wherein each child is given a father and mother (house parents) and brothers and sisters. The treatment of each child is handled by a multi-disciplinary team approach, offering a wide range of skills, including psychological and psychiatric assessment as needed.

The Center of HOPE worldwide will also be a resource and training center for the prevention, identification and treatment of child sexual abuse open for all Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), People’s Organizations (POs) and Local Government Units (LGUs). Furthermore, the Center of HOPE worldwide will continue to expand its volunteer-based program to become a leader in foster family care and advocacy in the Philippines.

The success and victories of HOPE worldwide Philippines will not be possible without the support and help of partners like the Australian and New Zealand Association (ANZA) and Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Philippines Inc. (ANZCHAM)

HOPE worldwide Philippines is extremely grateful to ANZA and ANZCHAM for choosing the Center of HOPE as the primary beneficiary for their 2007 Bollywood ANZA-ANZCHAM Ball Annual Fundraising Campaign. The donation was made thru building the perimeter fence of the Center of HOPE in Laguna

In December 4, 2007, ANZA President Ms. Celina Maxwell and ANZCHAM President Mr. Richard Barclay together with the other board of directors and officers inaugurated and lead the ribbon-cutting to officially mark the partnership and to turn over the Perimeter Fence donation in the Center of HOPE.

The activity started in the morning at the Center of HOPE with the children’s presentation and a welcome speech from Moises “JV” Velasco, the Executive Director. The children and the HOPE staff escorted the board members of ANZA-ANZCHAM. After the tour, the Chairman of HOPE worldwide Philippines Mr. Koko Enrile made his gratitude speech to ANZA and ANZCHAM. An inspirational speech by Ms. Celina Maxwell and Mr. Richard Barclay marked the end of the activity.

The most exciting and memorable time for the children was the personalized service of ANZA and ANZCHAM members. The children felt very special that day not only because they received a good treat sponsored by ANZA but because the guest themselves were the ones who served the food to each child. Some of the children expressed their gratitude for the love and care that they received from their new friends.

In December 26, 2007 Mr. Richard Barclay invited the children and HOPE staff in his house in Tally Beach, Nasugbu Batangas to celebrate the Christmas Season. Believe it or not this is the most joyous Christmas season for the children from the Center of Hope since we started this program. Mr. Barclay and his family shared their home and served the children with a lot of foods, love, care and of course a lot of gifts.

From HOPE worldwide Family. Thank you so much ANZCHAM.

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