Notice

Preda Newsletter May 2010 (Part 3 of 3)

Articles

HOUSING PROJECT FOR DISPLACED INDIGENOUS PEOPLE. Last year, the Philippines was battered by strong typhoons that brought big floods in many areas in the country. In Zambales, a town called Botolan, about 200 kms from Preda in Olongapo, thousands of people were displaced and their land destroyed by the floods, whole villages were swept away, destroying lives of people and taking away their livelihood. After the big deluge, thousands of people are homeless living in tents in resettlement areas. Many months have passed and a lot of people are still living in dire conditions. Preda conducted several relief operations there in the past to give aid to indigenous families who are the most affected of all.

A housing project funded by Trocaire, Ireland will give hope to 25 indigenous people's families to start with. Preda will be working in partnership with Gawad Kalinga, a Philippine charity in establishing the community for the affected families in Botolan.

SCHOLARSHIP PROJECT FOR INDIGENOUS CHILDREN. The Preda-Kapatiran partnership is with a group of dedicated people in the Netherlands who are dedicated to providing education and human development to the impoverished indigenous people. The funds supplied are for a scholarship project that supports many indigenous children by sending them to elementary, high school and college and providing school supplies and allowance. Dozens of children are being educated and eight graduated from high school and college this month, some with recognition and awards. Six (6) other youth scholars of Preda graduated from college this March also.

MISEREOR LIVELIHOOD PROJECT FOR REINTEGRATED BOYS. Another good project will be started this year to give assistance to the boys who are already reintegrated to their families. Misereor, a German charity agency is funding this project which will give livelihood opportunities for the eligible boys and their family to help augment economic income. A sad reality in the Philippines is the widespread poverty that forces even children to turn to crimes to sustain their living. With the new project of Preda and Misereor, it is more likely that there are better chances of success for the boys who have been rescued from the streets and prison, have been trained at Preda and return to their homes. This important follow-though assistance will keep them out of temptation, crimes and off the streets and helping their families.

NEW HOME FOR GIRLS BEING CONSTRUCTED. Only this year, Preda opened its new home for boy's which is now operational giving care to over 60 boys saved from prisons. More boys are rescued every week and going through a process of positive life transformation.

Now, there is another challenge for Preda with the growing number of abused and exploited girls in our custody and the many reports and referrals that we are receiving. The present girl's home is already full and with the increasing number of children victims of sexual abuse and those exploited in the sex industry, Preda is determined to expand its program and open a new center to help more exploited girls recover in a positive environment.

The new girl's home is situated in a beautiful place in the countryside at a valley near a waterfall. A deep well was already built and electric transformers were set up to facilitate faster construction. We are in the stage of finalizing structural designs and full blast construction will start very soon. Again, we thank all the kind-hearted donors who are continually supporting the program, more girls will have a new start in life once the new center is complete. We welcome any form of additional support for the new girl's home. This will be a great boost to the action against traffickers, abusers and exploiters of children we must keep on the work despite the hazards and risks from the sex Mafia. Please take a stand with us against abusers.

Thanking you sincerely,

Father Shay Cullen, the Staff and the Preda Children

This is email is the last of three (3) parts. To view full newsletter please visit: www.preda.org/newsletters

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PREDA Information Office
PREDA Foundation, Inc.
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