Philippines

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ICC Australia works with local partners in serveral regions in the Philippines. Partners are selected who provide child-focussed services to impoverished communities.

This at times includes mentoring and funding infrastructure and other programs to improve accommodation, health and education services for at-risk children.

We also fund changes to governance and sustainabilty of the partner organisation by increasing its capacity to provide more services.

In yet other projects we fund improvements to agriculture methods and production or development of small businesses through microfinance.

Shining Jewels Children's Village

ICC Philippines manages the Shining Jewels Children's Village project in the tranquil foothills of Central Luzon. This community project includes a range of services for families living in extreme poverty and children who have been orphaned, abandoned or abused. 

Medical Services and Education

The ICC funded clinic in the village provides basic health care and the ICC Philippines elementary school offers quality education for the younger children in the village and from indigenous families in the surrounding rural area. There is a private Christian high school nerarby that provides education to year 12.

Healthcare and Family Services

ICC Philippines employs two social workers, carers and a nurse to deliver appropriate services to the children in the village community. Regular health checks, clean water, nutritious food and a strong family focus has made the village a model for the surrounding communities.

Agriculture

ICC Australia is funding the scale-up of the agriculture program in 2011-12.  This will add to the sustainability of the community by increasing the variety and quantity of fruit and vegetable crops grown.  Improvements to the water supply and better farming methods are being employed to increase the yeild and produce a surplus to village needs for sale in the nearby markets.

Action Against Poverty Microfinance Centre

ICC Australia has partnered with Grameen Philippines in the funding and establishment of the Pampanga Action Against Poverty microfinance program.  This centre provides low interest small business loans to women in need who submit a business plan and start a small business with a microfinance loan.  More than 1200 women are currently involved in the project with amazing results.  Microfinance is recognised as one of the most cost-effective ways of helping people lift themselves out of poverty. 

Kaabag Microfinance Project

The Kaabab Project is on the island of Siquijor south of Manila.  The region is poor and malnourishment of children is unusually high.  The Kaabag Microfinance branch was opened in 2010 and now has over 300 customers who have commenced small business and now provide additional income for their families. More funds are needed to help this project expand further.

One Hope Microfinance Project

The One Hope Microfinance project is the most recently established.  Like Action Against Poverty it is in the poor area near Shining Jewels Children's Village north of Manila. More than 100 loans have been offered to women in the community since it began in early 2011. Additional funds are needed to fund its expansion through to 2013. 

Living Waters Community Care Project

The LWCC project is funded by ICC Australia and is located on the island of Siquijor. The local authorities identify malnourished children who then join the LWCC program. Home gardens are sponsored along with training for mothers in health and nutrition.  A communal garden, operated by LWCC project staff produces fruit and vegetables for three meals per week prepared by volunteers from the community.  Needy families are identified and mothers are able to apply for a microfinance loan from the Kaabag Microfinance Branch.

In October 2011 ICC Australia's Heart to Heart Tour for women interested in our work, are visiting the projects in the Philippines and will see first hand the amazing difference that microfinance makes to the lives of poor families. They will also visit the Shining Jewels Children's Village and see what a difference sponsorships from the Australian donor public are making in the lives of this community.