Major corporations, real estate and automobile companies are not the only organizations affected by the recent US economic woes. Filipino charitable organizations have also seen a major drop in donations this past year.
Books for the Barrios, a non-profit organization that distributes books and educational materials throughout the Philippines, is having a hard time meeting its monthly operating costs and shipping costs. The staff also faces the possibility of layoffs.
Bantay Bata, also known as child watch Philippines and ABS-CBN’s non-profit organization that helps at-risk and disadvantaged children in the Philippines, has seen their donations dry up the past two years. Even Gawad Kalinga is facing similar challenges.
“It’s been a hard year,” said Edwin Khu, marketing manager for ABS-CBN foundation. “Our donations have dropped from the previous years. Last year was okay although we were already feeling the [economic] crunch.”
According to a story in the Vallejo Times-Herald, volunteers held a fundraising event for Books for the Barrios but only managed to raise $1,000 for the cause.
“It’d be a shame if (Books for the Barrios) [would] die down,” said volunteer Alouisa Agcaoili to the Times-Herald.
Khu, wouldn’t talk about monetary specifics, added that the average donation to Bantay Bata went down 10 percent this year.
“It’s all tied to the economy and disposable income,” he said. “Most of the non-profits we have been in touch with have all have reported lower donations and a drop in their fundraising. So it’s been harder for many non-profits.”
Indeed, this may be one of the worst years ever in terms of retail spending and disposable income. The US economy is in recession. The housing markets roof fell to the floor. Many people are facing foreclosures to their homes. Unemployment is at its highest rate in years and is expected to rise significantly throughout 2009.
But despite all the economic struggles, charitable organizations continue to their advocacy to help the less-fortunate.
Bantay Bata officials have issued a holiday appeal, hoping that like years past, donations will increase during the holiday season.
“We understand that the recession is hurting everyone,” said Khu. “But these kids are affected more by it too.”
The past 11 years, Bantay Bata has helped save more than 187,000 children, according to Khu.
Khu said that Bantay Bata is focused on trying to raise money for the Children’s Village, which houses up to 100 at-risk children ranging from ages 3 to 12-years-old.
“We place the children with the more extreme cases in the village,” said Khu. “Kids who have serious medical or psychological issues. Some are orphans. It’s a halfway house. We give them proper nutrition and actively try to re-integrate them into society.”
However, the costs to help care for these kids are steep.
The village needs $276,600 in operating costs or $2,766 per child.
“It’s hard to think about donating especially during a recession you do tend to cut back. We understand that but we are still appealing to people. We want a better future for the kids. We do believe that the future begins with them.”
Another non-profit organization, Gawad Kalinga faces similar circumstances. GK is the nation-building program that helps build homes for the poor in the Philippines.
Jaime Carino, President of Forex and staunch supporter of GK, said that the number of homes they were able to build this year fell significantly in years past.
Carino said that contributions and donations from the Southwest region alone were able to build 30 GK villages last year. This year that number fell to 20.
“I guess it’s because the economy people are holding on to their money,” said Carino. “People are scared of losing their jobs and they feel saving is more important than sharing what they have so I think that’s one reason why there has been a drop.”
JJ Araos, a volunteer for GK, added that it’s important for Filipinos living in the US to give back to their countrymen, who are still less fortunate.
“If you think about it and compare it to the people that benefit from Gawad Kalinga, it may be hard right now but we are still living a lot better than they do. We still have so much more than they do.”
Araos said people have a misconception that they have to give a certain amount in order for their donation to make a difference.
“Every little bit counts,” she said. “People don’t have to give a lot and there are other ways to help. Some people may not give as much but most people I know they give what they can.”
It’s a sentiment that Carino agrees with.
“When it’s time for giving like Christmas, people shouldn’t give to the poor when it’s convenient for them. It’s best even if it’s inconvenient and I hope people realize that.”
(To donate to either of these organizations contact:Books for the Barrios – call (925) 687-7701 or visit www.booksforthebarrios.com; Bantay Bata – call (650) 508-6119 or visit www.abscbnfoundation.org;Gawad Kalinga – e-mail Delfin Mangona at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .)
(www.asianjournal.com)
(Published December 17, 2008 p.mdwk2 LAMDWK)
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
