1. One for Others
The Official Publication of VIDES Philippines Volunteers Foundation, Inc.
of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians
VIDES holds 14th Annual Mission Camp
Now on it’s 14th year, VIDES
holds the annual mission Special Issue
camp in Hacienda Malihao,
Victorias City, Negros Occi- August 31, 2009
dental with the theme, “May K
Kami!”.
Fifty-six volunteers took time
off from their regular week-
ends, leaving behind their In this issue:
comfort zones and the glitters
• 14th VIDES Annual Mission Camp
of city life.
Thanks to the airline promos,
• 20th Anniversary of UN CRC
100% of the volunteers were • Advocacy on Positive Discipline
able to reach the Silay airport
in time for the preparations • Medical Mission
for the Mission Camp. • Haircutting Services
As early as Thursday, August Mission Camp in progress… presentation of cheers!
• Livelihood Projects
20, some VIDES volunteers
already went ahead for the • Gift-giving
inventory-taking and packing Majority of the VIDES volun- and the official ID were given
teers arrived on Friday, Au- to each of the volunteers. • Volunteerism
of goods. With the trainees
from the LVWDTC, they were gust 21, and were surprised
Finally, the most awaited mo- • Formation
able to finish the packing of by the executive type of wel-
ment came. • Spirituality
1,703 gift bags in the after- come given by the trainees.
On Sunday, August 23, a total
noon of Friday, August 21. In preparation for the camp, • Mission Camp 2009 Donors
of 1,703 participants, 500 pa-
After the packing, the orienta- the formation of volunteers
tients, 56 volunteers, 87 train-
tion for the trainees assisting was held on Saturday, August
ees, and 30 medical volun-
the volunteers in the group- 22. The sending-off ritual was
teers joined the 2009 VIDES
ings for the mission day was made during the solemn Eve-
Annual Mission Camp.
conducted. ning Prayer, where the cross
VIDES aligns Mission Camp with 20th UN CRC
For this year’s mission camp, Nations Convention on the province of Negros Occiden-
the theme chosen by the Rights of Children (UN CRC). tal by providing them with
VIDES volunteers is “May K As an international NGO with inputs on the UN CRC and
Kami!”, short form of “May consultative status at the engaging them in slogan-
Karapatan Kami!” (We have United Nations, VIDES up- making, cheering, sharing,
rights!) holds and supports the pro- discussion and reporting.
grams of the UN. VIDES Phil- VIDES volunteers witnessed
The choice is motivated by
ippines celebrates this mile- the enthusiasm and active
the celebration of the 20th
stone with the children of the participation of the children.
anniversary of the United

2. Page 2 One for Others
Advocacy on Positive Discipline
As a member of the Child’s Rights Net- rights as children (UN CRC) opened their
work (CRN), VIDES Philippines advocates minds to their rights and responsibilities
and supports Positive Discipline. This is as Filipino citizens.
an advocacy against corporal punishment
Prior to the creation of small groups, the
of children.
VIDES volunteers performed a skit de-
In the Philippines, studies reveal that 85% picting the historical background on the
of children suffer from corporal punish- drafting of the UN CRC as well as the
ment. This includes physical, emotional fruitful effects of positive discipline in the
and psychological harm inflicted on chil- home.
dren which diminishes their self-
The presentation of cheers in the assem-
confidence and destroys their self-
bly brought greater awareness on their
esteem.
rights as children and at the same time
The posters and slogans done by the chil- painted a very festive atmosphere in the
dren reveal how much they value dia- hall. Translation:
“Discipline children the right way,
logue, understanding and respect. The Talk to us deeply and sincerely,
Indeed, “may K kami!”.
input given by the volunteers on their that you may understand us.”
Medical Mission
500 patients were given their pre- unteers from Bacolod City rendered their
numbered stubs before the mission camp services to the patients.
day. This facilitated the systematic ac-
Volunteer doctors from Manila likewise
commodation of patients for this year’s
joined the medical mission.
medical mission.
The medicines and vitamins were pro-
It is also a blessing that for this year,
vided by VIDES, thanks to the generous
VIDES was able to invite the Past Pupils of
influx of donations from old friends, ac-
St. Mary Mazzarello School to gather the
quaintances and pharmaceutical compa-
medical volunteers from the locality. On
nies.
the mission day, thirty (30) medical vol-
Volunteer doctors treat 500 patients at
the medical mission
Haircutting Services
An indispensable part of the annual mis-
sion camp is the free haircutting services.
100 pre-numbered stubs were distributed
“Call us anytime and we’ll be
prior to the mission camp day. there! It’s a privilege for us
Six volunteer-haircutters freely rendered
to be of service to others and
their creative services to young boys and
girls and their fathers and mothers. to share our blessings with
The people from the haciendas look for- our brothers and sisters.”
ward to this luxury of having their hair cut
by professional haircutters at least once a - VIDES Volunteers
year. For them, it is indeed it is a privi-
lege to be given this special treat.

3. Special Issue Page 3
Christmas in August “Baboy Mo, Buhay Ko” Livelihood Project
At the end of the mission day, the 1,703
participants lined up in order to receive
Once again, VIDES awards ten piglets to
their gift bags from the Salesian Sisters
ten newly-selected families.
and the VIDES Volunteers.
Known as “Baboy Mo, Buhay Ko” (Your
Trainees of LVWDTC assisted the chil-
Pig, My Life), this livelihood project seeks
dren and mothers queuing for their gifts.
to provide a sustainable source of income
It felt like Christmas in August.
for indigent families residing in the vicin-
In the sugarcane industry, August is the ity of the convent of the Daughters of
leanest in the cycle, where laborers had Mary Help of Christians.
no pay for lack of work to be done in the
The funds used to procure these ten new
cane fields. For this reason, the cup-
piglets were derived from the income
board and the kitchen table are usually
from previous piglets that had been
left empty and bare. Families normally
awarded by VIDES to other families in
experience greater poverty and hunger. A piglet goes into the sack as VIDES recent years.
Many times, they find themselves awards it to one of the ten recipient-
steeped in debt in striving to meet their families. The Sisters facilitate the follow up of fami-
daily basic needs. lies to whom these piglets were awarded.
VIDES hopes to bring smiles on the chil-
dren’s faces when they receive toys,
food, clothes and other goodies. Livelihood Projects for Fathers and Mothers
Through the generous contributions of
highly-motivated people, VIDES was able
to give each child two kilos of rice, two
Mothers and fathers waiting for their turn
canned goods, one brand new t-shirt, two
in the medical check-up made full use of
pieces of clothing, school supplies and
their time by attending the livelihood
toiletries.
programs especially prepared by the
The “Eat and Meet” fund-raising of the VIDES Volunteers for them.
VIDES volunteers held in June 2009 was
A cooking session was opened for moth-
mainly intended for this. Held for the
ers, where they had the opportunity to
second time already, VIDES warmly
learn, hands on, how to prepare banana
thanks and blesses those who continue to
chips and other delicacies.
support their noble endeavors. May
God, the Giver of all gifts, shower upon Sessions on poultry farming and agricul-
you His abundant blessings! ture were likewise conducted to inter- Cooking for mothers and Poultry-
ested fathers. farming for fathers
Children receive VIDES commemorative Volunteers in action:
t-shirts specially made for the 20th UN CRC passing on gift bags for 1,703 children and mothers
anniversary

4. The Officia l Publication of VID ES Philipp ines Volunteers Foundation,
Formation and Spirituality
Inc. of th e Daughter s of Mary He lp of Chr ist ians
Volunteerism
VIDES Volunteers’ Objectives for joining the Mission Camp
1. To glorify God, to spread His love and goodness, to strengthen
our faith in His providence, and to rediscover our life’s mean-
ing and purpose by being sensitive, sacrificing, generous, and
responsive to the needs of our brothers and sisters, particu-
larly the poor children and families being served by the FMAs.
2. To be faithful to our Christian duty by sharing our resources –
time, treasures and skills – for the education and development
of women and children through the medical mission, advocacy
on children’s rights and human rights, livelihood education,
and gift-giving among the children and their families.
3. To reinforce the children’s belief and hope in God’s kindness,
VIDES Volunteers and FMAs at prayer. mercy, love and providence.
4. To renew and strengthen our spirit of volunteerism and our
The formation for this year’s mission camp dwelt on sense of belonging and membership to VIDES and the Salesian
the latest encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI: “Caritas Family by living and experiencing volunteerism together with
in Veritate” (Love in Truth). the other volunteers on a large scale and among the poorest
youth.
In our being ONE FOR OTHERS, we are called to
serve and to be in solidarity with our brothers and 5. To grow in our capacity to work in solidarity with other volun-
sisters, to contribute in a concrete way in building the teers and networks for the common good.
kingdom of God here and now, by making His love
and His mission alive in us.
“Love in truth is the principle around which the
Church’s social doctrine turns, a principle that takes Be a volunteer. Join us!
on practical form in the criteria that govern moral VIDES Philippines Volunteers Foundation, Inc.
action, especially on justice and the common 3500 V. Mapa Ext., Sta. Mesa 1016, Manila, Philippines
good.” (Caritas in Veritate no. 6) Tel (02) 703-5606 Fax (02) 715-6740
Email: videspinoy@gmail.com http://videsphil.multiply.com
Mission Camp Donors: Mission Camp Donors: Mission Camp Partners:
VIDES Korea Cynthia Manalastas Rubine Lapore
Norwegian Crew Management (NCM) Lani Magdamo Elisa Amatorio
Students of Don Bosco School -Manila Loida Faustino Rebecca Comprendio
Daughters of Mary Help of Christians Lani Azarcon Ester Sta. Monica
VIDES Tokyo Jennifer Velasco Ramy Belarma
VIDES Shizuoka Yan Nar Chua Fernie Pesaliza
Salesio High School (Japan) Necy Garcia St. Mary Mazzarello School - Victorias City
Meguro High School (Japan) Juan Luis Faustmann LVWDTC Malihao FMAs and Trainees
Shimizu Parish Church (Japan) Puring Batin Past Pupils of SMMS Victorias City
John and Lucille Mower Engr. & Mrs. Ferdinand Sales
Sanya Faustmann Mr. & Mrs. Mat Regondola
Marty Manalastas - Timbol Engr. Jojo Sales
Shirley Uy-Calibo Lalu Cal
Dr. Catherine Sheng - Young Rowena Portes
Dr. Melanie Pulgar Arlene Uy-Martinez
“Eat and Meet” Donors Atty. Noel Rivera
Joe Tankers Atty. Giovanni Gallego
Capt. Rene Kruidenier Starbucks Coffee
Marcelina Estacio Mary Help of Christians School - Canlubang
Connie Haw Mary Help of Christians School - Pampanga
Pascual Laboratories, Inc.
Advance Paper Corporation
Thank you
Arlene Uy-Martinez
to all our Mission Camp Donors, Partners, and Volunteers!
Benny Antiporda
Susan Cristobal
Anne Sevilla May God bless you all!