Streetlight Newsletter 1st Issue 2017

Streetlight newsletter 1ST ISSUE 2017

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Streetlight.InternationalInstagram: @officialstreetlightCONTACT INFORMATION:POSTAL ADDRESSCor. Sen. Enage St& Magsaysay Blvd.6500 Tacloban CityPhilippinesTEL. NO. +63 53 832 0922EMAIL [email protected]:PHILIPPINES INCORPORATEDThis magazine was successfully completed through the joint efforts of our key staff who workedtogether from collection of information and photos to its creative lay-out to keep you informed andhave a glimpse of what Streetlight has been doing for the last months.

TABLE OF CONTENTS ABOUT THE COVER 6 STREETLIGHT HOUSE (REVISED 2016-2018) 7 8 STREETLIGHT PHILIPPINES ORGANIZATIONAL CHART 9 10 DECEMBER-FEBRUARY 2017 ISSUE OVERVIEW 11 Erlend Johannesen Awarded Kaanib ng Bayan 12 13 Presidential Award 14 Skills Trainees NC-II Passers 15 Christmas Parties 16 Christmas Gift Giving 17 Streetlight Life Skills Center 19 Ground-breaking Ceremony 21 23 Turn-over of the Gift of Knowledge 25 Culminating Activity Positive Discipline 27 NTNU Social Work Students 29 30 Conducted Research in Streetlight 31 Skills Trainees Deployment Social Development Program Team Building of Streetlight Staff Phoenix Soared High during the PUMA SE7VENS CUP STORIES TO TELL Joanne Jimwel Edie Oda Ola Give your Support Photos Be of help, extend a helping hand

STREETLIGHT PH | 01 About the cover CHASING DREAMS. It has been Streetlight’s passion to help children chase their own dreams where hope has slowly faded for various reasons be it poverty, abusive homes or lack of parental guidance. In most cases, parents are pre-occupied in providing their most basic needs which is food, leaving education the last priority – thus, children are forced to stop schooling and work with hard labor to help their family’s daily income. At early teenage years, where identity crisis is at its strongest, we see so many youth resigned and hopeless making the child’s life very challenging. Hope for a better future becomes blurry.

STREETLIGHT PH | 02Every single day that they are neglected, placed in last priority isself-damaging and takes years to put back together again. Many timesparents only realize this when the child or youth has drifted far from them. This is why Streetlight put up the Life Skills Program, a vocational schoolwith focus on how to live life to the full amidst the emotional baggage theycarry. Empower them, equip them, and sending them out to our corporatepartners for steady jobs. Our objective: Give them tools, so they can chase their dreams asstrong, empowered youth, ready to take on the world! A big thank you to those who have contributed! Would you want tobe a part of this, then please don’t hesitate to contact us at our Facebookpage or at our Sponsor Relation Officer, [email protected]. NEVA H. JOHANNESEN, RSW Executive Director

STREETLIGHT PH | 03 MISSION “We change the world for one child at a time” VISION Streetlight is the dream factory where children are given tools to choose a better future.TARGET T.1 Abandoned and T.2 Indigent T.3 Parents of T.1 T.4 Foster parents: T.5 Partners GROUPS neglected children: Children & working and T.2: “Make me a partner “Make me a part of “Restore my faith in children: in your child and Streetlight and allow “Give me direction “Empower me so I family development” me to contribute and family life” and tools so I can can become a make a difference build my own future” functional parent”OUR SERVICES S1: Strengthen the opportunity of the child’s independent and sustainable future S2: Improve the process S3: Strengthen the S4: Enhance partner of integrating the child capacity building of the cooperation into society childLOCAL O1: Clarify roles and O2: Strengthen capac- O3: Promote responsibilities ity building of our transparency and ORGANIZATION staffs open communication THE HOUSE (REVISED 2016-2018) © Structure provided by Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC)

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STREETLIGHT PH | 06 Erlend JohannesenAwarded Kaanib ng Bayan Presidential Award On December 19th at the Malacañan Palace, our founder, Erlend Johannesen received the Presidential Award under the category Kaanib ng Bayan. Thisaward is given every other year toforeign individuals or organizations who has shown extraordinary efforts for the country. This great honor gives us evenmore motivation to keep workingfor the most vulnerable members of society through our different programs for children and youth.

STREETLIGHT PH | 07 STREETLIGHT PH | 06 Sk i l l s Skills Trainees NC-II PASSERS For about 10 hours on December 11-12, 2016 at the Streetlight Skills Tr a i n -Training Center, the 21 takers of the National Assessment (NC-II) did their best to come out in flesh. After their 6 months training, finally, their hardships and perseverance paid off! Their individual assessment with Jesse Dela Cruz of Baybay, Leyte, have been successful enough to grant them National Certification in Motorcycle/Small Engine Servicing NC-II. Not just that, all of the 21 takers passed.

STREETLIGHT PH | 08Christmas PartiesThe season to be jolly! Last holidays we had four Christmas parties (kids,youth, parents and staff). It was the time to turn off all office works and enjoythe food, games, gifts and time together with our Streetlight Family.

STREETLIGHT PH | 09 Christmas Gift Giving Christmas is about giving than receiving. The annual Streetlight Christmas Gift Giving is organized by the college scholars. It is their way of sharing happiness to the children on the streets. They prepared candies, clothes and toys for the children to let them know they are remembered this Christmas. These children became an inspiration that though they have little, they still remain happy. Be like these kids, be happy most of the time, see the good in everything despite the circumstances.

STREETLIGHT PH | 10 Streetlight Life Skills CenterGroundbreaking Ceremony The Life Skills Center is a vocational school offering Small Engine Servicing, High-end welding, and Air condition and Refrigeration Servicing. Since the 150 graduates a year all comes from toughbackgrounds, a significant emphasis is put on 'How to live and overcome themountains in their lives.' We call it 'LIFE SKILLS.'

STREETLIGHT PH | 11 Turn-over of the Gift of Knowledge Sharing the same dream which is to educate the poor and marginalized children, K-Channel (Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc.) with their programs, extended a hand to us through an electronic equipment that (40- inch LED TV and 500GB external hard drive loaded with Knowledge Channel programs) aims to improve the academic performance of the kids through media viewing.

STREETLIGHT PH | 12Culminating Activity POSITIVE DISCIPLINE After several sessions, our scholars’ parents are already primed in disciplining their children. As their children said in their testimonies, their familybecame more open about each other since the positive discipline started. And yes a positive result was achieved.

STREETLIGHT PH | 13 STRE NTNU Social Work Students Five Social Work Students from NTNU visited Streetlight to conduct a research on the status of the street children in Tacloban City. They were also able to observe the Social Work practices in the Philippines.

STREETLIGHT PH | 14Skills Trainees DeploymentAnother few steps to their dream. It is time to test their skillsand independency, the first batch of Skills Trainees’deployment. Our 21 trainees were deployed to variousoffices within the region that can help enhance their skillsand knowledge about motorcycles and small engine. Assoon as they finish their OJT hours, they can just tip toetowards their life plans.

STREETLIGHT PH | 15 Social Development Program Skills Trainees 2nd Batch Knowledge is not only found inside the four corners of the classroom likewise going out and exposing the students to the real world will help them improve their social skills and be adept on how the actual world works. Once a month, Streetlight holds a Social Development Program where the trainees go to a different environment to have their PE class and have some time to build rapport since they came from different courses of life. Our trainees already had their 2 social development program: 1st was in a beach resort and the recent one was in a club pool.

STREETLIGHT PH | 16Team Building of Streetlight StaffA series of mini staff team building activities were started as a break from allthe paper works and deadlines. These activities aim to develop team workand enhance the staff’s relationship. The first one was last March 22nd wasfilled with laughter, friendly competition and definitely another memory to bekept. We are looking forward to another fun-filled activities with all the staff.

STREETLIGHT PH | 17 Phoenix Football Cup Soared High during the PUMA Se7vens Cup Under the sun-drenched field, Phoenix FC did not bother the weather and all the sweat to take home the bacon. Challenging all the football clubs within the region, Phoenix FC joined with 8 teams and soared the highest. They were the Champion in Girls Under 17, 1st runner-up in Girls Under 15 and Men’s Open and 4th place in Girl’s under 19. the Phoenix Football club is already qualified to the National PUMA Se7vens Cup.

STREETLIGHT PH | 18 Ola Norwegian Volunteer Stories to tell Oda Norwegian Volunteer Edie Skills Training NC-II Passer Jimwel Skills Training NC-II Passer Joanne Skills Training NC-II Passer

STREETLIGHT PH | 19 JOANNE (Skills Trainee NC-II Passer) After my father’s death in 2010, I came back to Tacloban City with my mother and five (5) brothers. I was 17 years old then. To provide for my family’s every day needs, my mother worked as a housekeeper in one of the subdivisions in Tacloban, while I worked as a food attendant across Astrodome where the owner of the canteen became my second mother. While working, I was also taking classes in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) so that I can proceed to college since I only finished 3rd year high school. After some time, I got sick and had to stop working and studying. It was disheartening to see that I can’t help my mother. One day, Pastor Alfred introduced me to Ate Jov-jov (Streetlight Staff) who advised me to apply for a college scholarship in Streetlight. I was so happy to learn about this and excitedly went to Streetlight office the next day. But my happiness was cut short when asked to submit my school documents because I don’t have it with them. It’s still in Angono Rizal and I don’t have money to go there to collect all the papers. At this time, I was already in doubt if I should really pursue going back to school. Then Ate Rhea (Streetlight Social Worker) suggested me to enroll in a Technical Vocational/Skills Training class. I excitedly grabbed the opportunity and never thought twice even though I will be handling motor parts and small engine. I consider myself lucky because I am one of those people who was given a second chance to fix anything that was left of my life. I am proud of myself that I am now an NC-II passer. I think that I am now ready to help my family after my on-the-job-training (ojt). I am very thankful to my trainers and Streetlight for being patient to us and being positive that we will be successful. They should not worry because everything they taught us will not go to waste, instead we will use it to build our future. I can really shout to the world that the Joan today is an NC-II passer and already educated.

STREETLIGHT PH | 18 They (Skills Trainers and Streetlight) should notworry because everythingthey taught us will not go to waste, instead we willuse it to build our future.”“ I can really shout to the world that the Joanne today is an NC-II passer and already educated.”

STREETLIGHT PH | 21 JIMWEL (Skills Trainee NC-II Passer) My parents separated when I was just three (3) years old. Since then it was my mother who raised me and my sister by working as a sales lady in different hardware and motor parts shops. Through this she was able to send me and my sister to school until we were both in college. I decided to stop on my first year in college to give way to my sister’s education so as also not to burden my mother with school fees. I worked as a farmer planting in a rice field to help my mother financially. While I was working I thought to myself, “Would this be my life when I don’t finish school? I’m planting all day and just earn P300.00. I don’t want this kind of life. I want to earn more that will suffice our everyday needs.” I have observed that most of the teenagers in my town already have their own kids and doesn’t go to school. Right then I realized and decided to go back to school. One day, I heard that a group of social workers from Streetlight will go to seawall to conduct an orientation but when I went to the venue it was already finished. Rather that did not stop me to pursue my dream of going back to school so I went to Streetlight office. I was assessed by Ate Rhea (Streetlight Social Worker) and was accepted to the Technical Vocational/Skills Training Program. I was happy and the first thought that came to my mind was that I can now help my mother to focus on my sister’s education. In the Skills Training classes, the trainers were very helpful in teaching us learn everything about Motorcycle/Small Engine. They did not become merely our trainers but also our life advisers. Streetlight became a strand of strength for us weakened by the hardships of life. I admire Kuya Erlend that he focused on the street children, helping and believing on their dreams. I am really enjoying my life now and I am excited about what the future will bring me.

Streetlight became astrand ofstrength for usweakened bythe hardships oflife.”

STREETLIGHT PH | 23 EDIE (Skills Trainee NC-II Passer) Just like any other person in this world, I also did not get away with the challenges of life. I was only seven (7) months old when my parents separated. I did not see and knew my father since then, although he tried to reach out to me through a phone call in 2015 yet I was hesitant to talk to him. Furthermore, my mother left me and my younger sister to our grandparents who raised us by selling bananas and pushing carts at the wet market. Being financially challenged, we had to stop going to school so I became an out of school youth. I gained friends who were not good influence to me to the point that I became a troublesome to my family. It hurt my grandmother especially when my younger sister got pregnant. That was a very tough time for us. Until some missionaries came to our place to share the bible. It opened my eyes and made me realized that I should not be an out of school youth forever; that the life I have was boring - doing nothing all day and talking nonsense with friends who are not even good influence to me. I need to change. I thought that it was just the missionaries who helped me for the changes I am becoming but another sign came. It was Streetlight. They came to seawall inviting out of school youth to attend classes. Unfortunately when I came to the venue, the orientation was already finished. So when I came home, I told my grandmother that I will go to Streetlight to study. My grandmother cried because she knew that I’ve changed. I am currently on my on-the-job training (ojt) for Motorcycle/Small Engine Servicing and I am so excited to finish it so I can finally work and give back to my grandparents for taking care of us all these years. I am very grateful to Streetlight, they became an opportunity for me to change myself for the better. I know I am just a few steps away to reach my dreams.

STREETLIGHT PH | 28 I am very grateful toStreetlight. Theybecame anopportunity forme to changemyself for thebetter.”

STREETLIGHT PH | 25 ODA (Norwegian Volunteer) I came to Streetlight to volunteer in 2016. I am a Social Worker from Norway and had great expectations before I came to Tacloban. Very soon I realized that the people in the Philippines are really welcoming and open. The most interesting thing about volunteering at Streetlight was to see the Filipino culture and traditions. While volunteering I was able to get to know kids, youth and families of this country. I was able to meet people from poor living conditions and difficult life situations. The children I have met in Tacloban have an amazing ability to rise up again. It was so wonderful to see these children smile and laugh and make the best of everyday, despite the difficult experiences they have in life. I think Streetlight is a place where the street kids have a safe place. Streetlight is a place where everyone has the same value and no one is being judged. People can come here to play games, play soccer, and do their homework or just to have someone to talk to. It felt good as a volunteer to feel that your work or your presence is meaningful for someone else. I am really proud and blessed that I was able to be a part of the good work that Streetlight does for the community in Tacloban. I was able to learn how to play football. The girls and boys in the football team has been so helpful in teaching me to be a better player and I have enjoyed my time with them. Streetlight was also really helpful if I needed anything outside work: from rental apartment, doctor appointments, booking tickets to anything else I could need. The staff were very welcoming. I can for sure say that I have got some good friends in the Philippines, thanks to Streetlight.

I think Streetlight is a place where thestreet kids have a safe place. Streetlight is a place where everyone has the same value and noone is being judged.”

STREETLIGHT PH | 27 LA O (Norwegian Volunteer) A little about my experience as a volunteer in this organization: I worked as a Volunteer in Streetlight from January 9 to November 23, 2016. Streetlight is a well-established organization that does a great job for poor children in the area. They enjoy great respect in the community and government. As a volunteer, I was well received and they showed great concern for me. I got good training in Filipino traditions and culture, and experienced all the people as warm and welcoming. I participated in different maintenance and repairs on the property. I also worked with carpenters to build new offices and libraries and made eight lighting columns for the new children's home in Tagpuro. It was very good to be in Streetlight, and I would go back when I have the opportunity.

It was very goodto be in Streetlight,and I would goback when I havethe opportunity.” (From left– right) Streetlight Executive Director, Liaison Officer, Ola, Oda, Sponsor Relation Assistant, Sponsor Relation Officer and Phoenix (From left– rigFhoto) Otbdaall CwliuthboDuirreCcotollCer dghureisritSnmcghatoshlPaehrSso)trteoeshtloigohtt.

STREETLIGHT PH | 29 Give your SUPPORT throughSTREETLIGHT PHILIPPINES INC. Account No: 122-7-12252458-9 Swift Code: MBTCPHMM Bank Address: Zamora St, Tacloban City Account No: 4202 31 56606 IBAN:NO42 4202 31 56606 Swift Code: SPTRNO22 Bank Address: PO Box 4796 Sluppen, N-7467 Trondheim, Norway 56606



STREETLIGHT PH | 31LEARN HOW TO BECOME A BE OF HELP Extend STREETLIGHT VOLUNTEER a helping hand BE A Streetlight Volunteer JOIN US! AND TAKE PART TO FULFILL OUR MISSION TO CHANGE THE WORLD FOR ONE CHILD AT A TIME.

01IMPORTANT THINGS TO SEND YOUR CONSIDER WHEN APPLICATION APPLYING: —————————————————-1. All volunteers must come in two (2). However, TO: [email protected] Streetlight shall try to match solo applicants CC: [email protected] to other applicants in order to pursue the desire to volunteer. SEND THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS 1. Application Letter2. Anyone wanting to stay for more than a year 2. Curriculum Vitae should inform Streetlight prior to deployment to PH. 3. Transcript of Records TOR (if applicable)3. Volunteers shall take care of their own accommodation and food. Streetlight can 4. Filled out Volunteer’s Application only assist in finding an accommodation. Recommendation Form4. Volunteers are responsible for visa matters,such as application for extension indicated upon entry.POLICY ON LENGTH OF STAYKNOW MORE ABOUT 02STREETLIGHT’SVOLUNTEER PROGRAM GENERAL VOLUNTEERS FOOTBALL VOLUNTEERS—————————————— From 2-6 months From 1 month - 6 months (1st timer) (1st timer) SEND YOUR INQUIRYTO: [email protected] CC: [email protected] From 2 months - 1 year From 1 month - 1 year (2nd timer and above) (2nd timer and above)

STREETLIGHT PHILIPPINES INC.