ASF’s Community-based Early Childhood Care and Development Project

The Antipolo Seminary Foundation, Inc. (ASF) assists community level organizations in depressed communities to enable them to address the needs and promote the rights of children.  As of September 2006, the foundation has assisted a total of 27 community organizations in implementing early childhood learning projects. This benefited a total of 1,797 children from these communities. 

In November 2005, the foundation requested support from the Children’s Hour Philippines, Incorporated (CHPI).  The Children’s Hour is a non-stock, non-profit organization that  “…calls on individuals and companies to donate an hour of their earnings in support of programs committed to the welfare and development of marginalized Filipino children.”  The Makati Rotary Club Foundation also contributed resources to support the capability building component of the project. The financial support extended by these institutions to ASF’s “Establishment of Community-based Early Childhood Care and Development Programs in Selected Urban Poor Communities” project from November 2005 to July 2007 significantly contributed to ASF’s Early Childhood Development program.  

The foundation’s  “Establishment of Community-based Early Childhood Care and Development Programs in Selected Urban Poor Communities” seeks to:

1. provide affordable preschool education and supplemental feeding to at least 200 children, aged 4 to 7 years old;

2. read the assessment of the November 2005 to April 2007 implementation of this project

   enhance the skills knowledge and attitude of para-teachers, caregivers and leaders in the management and implementation of learning/daycare projects; and,
3. develop a capability enhancement package to be used for sustainable capability building assistance.

This project is currently being implemented in six (6) urban poor communities in Metro Manila and Rizal province.  Project achievements after nine months of implementation include the following:

• As of June 2006, 294 children are enrolled and benefiting from the early childhood education and supplemental feeding projects assisted by the foundation. These community level projects are being operated and managed by our partner community organization in each community.  The number of students in each center are as follows:

Distribution of Students per daycare center

Organization/Learning center	No of Students (as of  June 2006)
Belong Compound Neighborhood Association, Inc. (BCNAI Daycare Center)	15
Earth Care Village (Iwahig) Neighborhood Association (Iwahig Learning Center)	68
Manggahan Neighborhood Association, Inc. (MNAI Daycare Center)	57
Nagkakaisang Kababaihan sa Komunidad (NKK Daycare Center)	38
Pinagbuklod na Mamamayan ng Malanday Association, Inc. (Minahan Daycare Center)	72
KMPP-MIGRANTE-NGC (Sentrong Sanayang Pambata)	44
Total	294

• Each center conducted a baseline data gathering of the target children beneficiaries. After the enrollment period, a weighing activity was done to assess the nutritional status of student.  This weighing activity will be conducted every three months.

• The foundation purchased and distributed school supplies to 294 children. These supplies include school bags, pad papers, glue, scissors, eraser, pencils, crayons, coloring books and plastic envelop. Daycare supplies and materials were also distributed to each daycare center.

Skills Enhancement Intervention

• Early childhood orientation meetings and training needs assessment were conducted in the six partner communities.  

• A project-level planning activity involving the foundation and representatives from our six partner community organizations was conducted. ASF presented the results of the training needs assessment to fourteen (14) community representatives. Project-level schedules and activities for 18 months were jointly formulated after.  An orientation on financial management was also conducted during this activity

• A seminar-workshop on planning was conducted on January 28, 2006. Seven (7) teachers and three (3) leaders from four (4) partner communities participated in this activity. Inputs on the project management cycle and planning principles and framework were discussed.  After the training, detailed community-level plans were formulated during ASF’s community visits. The participants found the activity informative and relevant.  

• A Bookkeeping training was conducted last May 27, 2006 at the Tuazon Community Center, Marikina Heights, Marikina City. Twenty-two(22) participants (3 teachers, 16 leaders and 3 organization members) from our 6 partner organizations participated in this activity.

• Two (2) batches of values formation seminar (Christian Leadership Training Seminar 1 & 2) were conducted last May 20, 2006 and August 12, 2006. A total of 36 participants composed of 10 leaders and nine (9) teachers and 17 PTA leaders from six (6) partner daycare centers attended the activity. Inputs on servant leadership was given to the participants

• A nutrition seminar was conducted in each of the six (6) communities July 15, 16, 22, 23 and 29. A total of 132 parents and community leaders attended the activity. Parents were taught on how to compute the desirable body weight of their children to determine their nutritional status. Menu planning and preparation were also discussed to help mothers prepare the proper and nutritious food for their growing children.

Development of a Capability Enhancement Package

• Training modules and instructional materials on Planning, Bookkeeping and Christian Leadership were developed.  The Planning seminar and Christian Leadership modules were finalized in January 2006 while the Simplified Bookkeeping module last March 2006.