ABS-CBN Bayan Foundation

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It takes a Village
ABS-CBN Bayan Foundation brings 'pride' to the differently-abled

When ABS-CBN Bayan Foundation turned over 40 homes to the families of the ABS-CBN Simon of Cyrene Village in Penafrancia, Daraga, Albay, there was an outpouring of gratitude and the air was filled with hope. One by one, as the beneficiaries took the stage to receive the keys to their new abodes, some of them still can’t believe that they now have a home to call their own. Some of them cried while others jumped with joy and said that this is a dream come true.

The turn-over is more meaningful for ABS-CBN Bayan Foundation since the village comprises of families with differently-abled members such as those crippled with cerebral palsy or polio.

“We will help you have a bright future because with your success, you can show the whole country what can be done even if you have differently-abled members in your family. We will help you with education, skills, and training. Manage your life with honesty and integrity and always remember that God is behind you. There’s no way you cannot succeed if you try,” said Gina Lopez, managing director, ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc.

This was reiterated by broadcaster Karen Davila, the host of the turnover ceremonies, when she said that “giving a family a home, does not only provide them a place to live. You also give them hope, dignity and encourage them to become a vital part of the community.”

On his part, Dr. Ed Morato, president of ABS-CBN Bayan Foundation said that the families will not only get a key to a concrete abode – but to a brighter future as well.

“Giving the keys is the easiest part of our work since the house is already constructed. What is more important is ensuring your future… what will you do to feed your children, what livelihood can you engage in, how do you take care of your community,” he pointed out. “We are moving into livelihood and education with the families in the village. We are giving them the skills and the training. We are going to move in with microfinance.”

The ABS-CBN Simon of Cyrene Village is turning out as a showcase of a vibrant and self-reliant community. In fact, there will be 20 more houses that will be turned over within the year. This scenario seems far-fetched exactly 2 years ago when 2 major typhoons struck the Bicol region. It damaged roads, properties, and schools, and displaced thousands of families. Without homes and livelihoods, the young ones especially the differently-abled have suffered the most.

HELPING HAND

Heeding the call for help, the ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.., through its “Sagip Kapamilya” immediately responded and helped Bicolanos rise above the challenges.
Since then, the ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. has already repaired 49 classrooms; improved 14 toilets, school fence, and school water systems and repaired 167 armchairs. The beneficiaries were the Daraga North Central School and the Oas North Central School in Albay. By the time the repairs were done, the schools were given educational television (ETV) packages to aid teachers in teaching math and science lessons.
However, ABS-CBN Bayan Foundation observed that it had to address another urgent concern. The displaced families, especially those with differently-abled members, needed decent shelter and a holistic community development program to rise above poverty.

BRINGING PRIDE

“Since there were more than 5,000 families that were relocated out of the danger zone, housing became an urgent concern. We focused on helping the most deserving families and that became the driving force of our PRIDE program in Bicol,” said Oscar Esguerra, PRIDE program director of ABS-CBN Bayan Foundation.

PRIDE (or the Pacific Rim Integrated Development Effort) focuses on communities located at the Pacific side of the country which is often visited by typhoons from Aurora, Quezon, Bicol provinces down to Samar and Leyte. With PRIDE, ABS-CBN Bayan is providing a wholistic package combining both social development and entrepreneurial needs to the communities it rehabilitates.

“In the devastated areas, we noted that there are a lot of families with differently-abled members. Since their families need to be relocated, they became exposed to an environment that was not conducive for them,” Mr. Esguerra said.
With this mission, he coordinated with Mediatrix Villanueva of the Simon of Cyrene Foundation on how the foundation can help more. Ms. Villanueva suggested the importance of a village where the differently-abled are empowered members of the community. Thus, the ABS-CBN Simon of Cyrene Village was inaugurated.

“What we are doing is very different from simple rehabilitation. Gone are the days of giving dole outs to the poor. We give them the tools to fish rather than the fish itself. Since the livelihood of families with differently-abled members was disrupted, we are acting immediately to provide them the means to earn income,” stressed Mr. Esguerra.

A VILLAGE RISES

Inspired by the man who helped Jesus carry the cross, the Simon of Cyrene Foundation promotes the rights and inclusion of the differently-abled into the society. From a simple parish project in 1982, it is now servicing care to all differently-abled individuals across the Bicol region.

“Since they lost their houses and their source of livelihood due to the calamity, they found a new community in ABS-CBN Simon of Cyrene Village,” Ms. Villanueva said. She underscored the important role of ABS-CBN Bayan Foundation and its PRIDE program in uplifting the lives of people especially the differently-abled. ”The differently-abled has a fundamental right to access and livelihood. Here, they are given economic opportunities and a chance to earn a living.”