Current Projects
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| A Goat Project of HELP Foundation beneficiary receiving her goat with Mr. Keith Hooper. |
GOAT Project
Somebody once named a project "the gift that keeps on giving". I am not for sure what the original intent was, but I am sure that I have found the ideal "gift that keeps on giving!"
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| Availed the Microcredit Program for her mini store |
Microcredit
We feel that the ability for the poor to have access to small loans is extremely important. It is almost impossible to get a loan through the banking system here and if a loan is granted, the bank interest is at least 30%/annum. The only other way that the poor can get loans is through "5-6" lenders. These unscrupulous lenders loan 500 pesos and in 7 days, they collect 600 pesos. That sounds crazy but when a poor person want to start a small business, they resort to this means of borrowing. Our program is simple. We only provide loans for business purposes and we start with 1,000 pesos ($22). We have a modest interest rate with an objective to make our loan recipients successful and our goal is long term sustainability. We will continue providing loans on an increasing basis up to 5,000 pesos. Usually, after 6 months, the loan recipients have built up enough capital that they no longer need to borrow. We have two areas where we are offering microcredit - Caubian Island and Talakag, Bukidnon.
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Livelihood Programs
We have hired an amazing gentleman to manage our livelihood programs. His name is Jojo and because of him we have been able to expand our livelihood projects significantly. First, he started teaching the ladies how to make food products that would sell. We started our own mini-café in the market where the ladies are selling native delicacies. A HUGE SUCCESS! Then he trained the ladies to make handmade greeting cards, jewelry, fancy slippers, etc. We probably have about 50 folks (both men and women) employed because of Jojo. I am bringing samples of his products back to the States to see if there is a market for them. If there is, my prayers will have been answered! These folks will be able to support themselves through their own talents!!
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| Dental Mission |
Caubian Island
The biggest challenge that the foundation faces is on the tiny island of Caubian. Caubian has a land area of 6.5 acres and is home to almost 3,000 people, of which 40% are children. There is no potable water source nor electricity. Sanitation and health care facilities are almost nonexistent. Infant and child mortality are extremely high. Families exist through fishing and monthly income per family is about $15.00/month.
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Children's Nutrition Program/Feeding Program
The most debilitating handicap of these children is poverty. All are moderately to severely malnourished. The feeding and nutrition program for 1000 children (ages 0-7) . All it takes is $11.10 per child to help feed them for a year.
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Muslim Women's Development Center
The Sharlene Gardner Muslim Women's Development Center was dedicated on May 31, 2006. This was a three prong project between the the local government, the residents and the Foundation.
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Cottage Industries Program
The most pressing need for the residents of these villages is to generate income. Residents of each village have remarkable skills which are unique to their tribal background. Our goal is to provide startup capital to develop and market the products. Some of the products include brooms, decorative mats, jewelry, herbal medicines and clothing. We will also provide funds for selected families to raise goats, swine, and poultry. One half of the offspring will be utilized for food; the other half will be distributed to other families.
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More Current Projects...
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Announcements
It is unbelievable what we have been able to accomplish in the past 5 years. I have not pressured you into making donations. You just believe in what we are trying to do and I appreciate that!! Our work has been mind-boggling at times. There are so many people in need and so many heartbreaking stories. We can't help everybody so we have concentrated on people who have the ability to help themselves. In addition to our nutrition programs and school sponsorship program, our efforts focus on livelihood projects and microloans. Folks, it is working! I think that I also told you that I would be absent from the projects for a couple of years because I have agreed to become a Rotary District Governor. Let me tell you that the Rotary Organization is probably the best in the world for helping the less fortunate. I am honored to become a District Governor. Now you ask the obvious question, what will become of the HELP Foundation? Over the past 5 years, we have built a team to run the HELP Foundation. My wife, Pat, has agreed to continue our work. But we have also had the opportunity to "hire" Geri Maiatico, who is a Nurse Practitioner and Public Health Nurse. She is Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who served with me (1966-1968) in the Philippines. She has worked for the National Institute of Health, Division of AIDS. From 2000-2007 she served as associate Peace Corps Director in both the Philippines and China. She has agreed to help our foundation. She could legitimately ask for a salary of $60,000/year but because she believes in what we are doing, she asks for NOTHING! As I said, GOD is good and He takes care of those who want to help the poor! I am sure that our efforts to help the poor in the Philippines will only be enhanced by Geri's involvement.
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