Franco-Fil bazaar helps the neediest through certain NGOs

The first Franco-Fil bazaar and exhibit was opened successfully by "ribbon-cutters" DSWD Assistant Secretary Rhoda Yap and French Ambassador Renee Veyret. The exhibit – catch it on its last day, Sept. 15, at Rockwell Center – has united two countries in a common cause, that is, to help the neediest individuals and groups in the Philippines and even in Malaysia through the NGOs.

Skeptics and cynics hesitate to contribute money or goods to supposedly accredited charity agencies because their staff workers according to reports, sift through the contributed items (e.g., used clothing), keep the best for themselves, then pass on the "rejects" to the intended recipients. In the case of money, large amounts go to the wrong hands.

Proceeds of the Franco-Fil bazaar are earmarked for the following NGOs, each of which has its own particular aim and target for assistance and more significantly, can be regarded as reliable conduits.

The ERDA Foundation was established in 1974 by the French Jesuit Fr. Pierre Tritz, now a naturalized Filipino citizen. Although ERDA’s main program is education for school children, child scavengers and young indigents, it offers a five-year high school curriculum with dual training in the last year. It also assists Hansenites (leprosy patients) and their families toward sustainable development.

"Uplift Philippines" provides micro-finance service to the poorest of Manila’s depressed communities. In 2001, it gave out 25,000 loans to 16,000 beneficiaries.

Virlanie, established ten years ago, provides residential care for over 400 children in its 12 different homes, each operated like a typical Filipino family home with a married couple acting as house parents, assisted by "aunt and two social workers, all of whom are live under one roof."

TNK Tulay ng Kabataan has two programs: one is for the education of 500 children and the nutrition of underfed infants and children in Manila’s slums, the second attempts to solve the alarming increase of street children.

"Together-Ensemble," which serves as a bridge between the business community and the humanitarian sector, primarily works for the development of agriculture in Mindanao.

Les Oursins created the first ludotheque – a spacious shelter for street children in the squatters’ area. This NGO operates on the unique philosophy: "Tell me how he is playing, and I will tell you how he is."

Oblate Galilee helps support farmers in the mountainous regions of north Cotabato.

"Handicap International", which has gained international recognition for its campaign in the search for landmines, has a self-help program for the Manobo tribe in Bukidnon which aims to provide non-formal education to speed up an integrated development process among indigenous people. It also provides physical rehabilitation service for the handicapped, and humanitarian assistance to Filipino returnees from Malaysia.

ASMAE-Philippines helps around 20 local NGOs through financial, technical and human assistance. Its beneficiaries now exceed 10,000.

Since the Alouette Foundation started in 1990, it has provided education and other related services (e.g., computer training) to children.

Medecins du Monde (Doctors of the World) is constantly involved in relief operations. Bout d’Phil uses proceeds from its garment sales for the schooling of poor children. Finally, Mother of Mercy is dedicated to helping abused women.

A pertinent question to ask here is: What if there were no NGOs such as those mentioned above? With widespread poverty, crime, corruption, abuse of power plaguing the country today, how can the government cope without the NGOs? For what it’s worth, visit the Franco-Fil bazaar to buy wonderful Philippine-made goods at bargain prices while promoting the NGO’s noble causes.