THE PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2011
Gilbert Henry Lee. President
Gilbert Henry Lee. President
2011 was a landmark year for Pipit Fund Inc. In March, Pipit and United Church of Christ Philippines hosted the Presbyterian Church in Chinatown / Donaldina Cameron House delegation’s visit to Manila, Calamba, Mindoro and General Nakar, Quezon Province. While the trip was intended as a Mission Study Tour to learn about underdevelopment in rural communities, our partners in Sucol and General Nakar, beneficiaries for years through toys, books and donations, gave a heartfelt outpouring of joy, celebration and hospitality. It was days of celebration and fellowship.
While we had always had supporters in Presbyterian Church in Chinatown / Donaldina Cameron House, their personal witnesses of meetings with scholars, seniors, children, women groups and church fellowships lent energy to their testimonies once home, building support for Pipit ministries. In September, it culminated in a Dinner Banquet Fundraiser held at PCC hosted by the delegates. A silent auction and donations raised over $6,000.00, one sixth of our total annual budget.
The delegate’s questions and inquiries also raised new ideas for projects. A meeting with the Barangay Health Clinic raised the issues of them tracking underweight toddlers and how even a 3xweek Supplemental Feeding Program could get kids back towards developmental goals. The proceeds of the September Fundraiser were designated to this new project and we have received a detailed ambitious plan of action and budget from the joint UCCP-Sucol, women’s collective and the Barangay committee.
Another source of support from the delegates was helping Pipit in updating our website: www.pipitfund.org. , complete with testimonies from our scholars,a microcredit collective member and a pastor. Updating the website, besides having untold effects on our fundraiser, also brought us requests for assistance from different areas of the Philippines and in the US. While we had to turn down most requests as out of our area of supervision, one request looks very promising. That request’s goal is to assist farmers in the area of Agusan del Norte, Mindanao by setting up a “Vegetable Seed Nursery” so farmers won’t be dependent on commercial seed vendors. If you are aware of how western vendors are selling genetically engineered seeds that produces sterile seeds, keeping farmers dependent on conglomerates, then you know how important independent access to seeds is. The UCCP-Similuhon’s Christian Women Association administrator of the proposal is working with resources like UP Los Banos, Department of Agriculture contacts to set up training sessions and a budget proposal. Pipit Fund Inc has committed to funding the expenses of UP Agriculture experts to holding the seminars in Similuhon, Mindanao this spring. We are looking forward to our partnership with UCCP-Similuhon.
Our partnership with UCCP-General Nakar under the leadership of Rev. Nathaniel Romaquin to date is supporting 8 high school scholars and one (1) college scholar, Clarissa Robles with Bachelor of Science in Education. The UCCP-Christian Women Association “Share and Loan” microcredit group with 27 memberships, received 33% increase in capital for the year 2011 and double their rolling principal and provided small loans that impact positively the lives of many women in the community. The outreach continues with senior vitamin distribution in the community of Anoling and soon will be extended to Barangay Manihan Senior Center. The UCCP-Linggas are in the process of organizing, women saving for their initial shares to formulate their own microcredit. Pipit stands ready with seed money to move forward. Meantime, Pipit awaits details for their proposed Livelihood Project of “Buy and Sell of Fabric Conditioner” as an alternative while waiting for the formation of the “save and loan”. We continue to ship books regularly and toys annually. Additional funds will be forwarded to General Nakar to construct additional book shelves for the library. UCCP-General Nakar extends their gratitude to Presbyterian Church in Chinatown for their holiday donation.
Pipit’s College and High school Scholars in General Nakar:
High School Scholars 2nd Year
Benjamin Ralph Juniosa Rose Ann Ritual Lei Anne Avellaneda Mark Louie Flora | High School Scholars 1st Year
Lynnette Astejada Jerlen Jev Peralta Fred Aljon Buendicho Nethaniel Romaquin | College Scholar with HS Scholars
Clarissa Robles (BSE) |
Our partnership with UCCP-Sucol continues to grow. We have 4 college and 5 high school scholars on the pipeline. Recently, Mary Joy Castor passed the board for Bachelor of Science in Education and secured employment in a private school in Calamba as a teacher. Three (3) new college scholars will be added in 2012. Rosanna Durban and Ruffa Domingo will take BSE and Gina Bechayda will pursue a vocation in Church Music with Union Theological Seminary in Cavite. The Senior Vitamins distribution and Sucol Kaagapay Microcredit continue their steady work. Marivic Asuncion, our graduate Accountant was elected to the Pipit Fund Philippine Board of Directors in late 2011. We welcome Rev. Partrick McDivith as Interim Pastor and thus becomes the Pipit Project Coordinator to replace Pastor Grace Perez who is on Sabbatical leave. The Sucol community is organizing and Pipit Fund USA has forwarded the budget for the initial 2012 “Fishes and Loaves” Supplemental Feeding Program of $3,500.00 for 3 months budget. UCCP-Sucol congregation was very grateful for Duane Lee’s donation earmarked for the purchase of a piano to make sure music resonates during church service every Sunday.
Pipit College and High School Scholars in Sucol Calamba:
Zhara Jhane Alegre Bachelor of Science in Nursing 4th Year Batch 2012
Jonna Mae Bechayda Bachelor of Science in Education 4th Year Batch 2012
Angelica Alegre Bachelor of Science in Nursing 3rd Year Batch 2013
Harold Masiglat Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineer 1st Year Batch 2015
Rosanna Durban 4th Year High School Batch 2012
Joshua Ian Indico 3rd Year High School Batch 2013
Annabella Ortoguero 1st Year High School Batch 2015
Jeremy Decena 1st Year High School Batch 2015
Francis Mar Capitan 1st Year High School Batch 2015
New approved College for 2012:
Rosanna Durban Bachelor of Science in Education Batch 2016
Ruffa Domingo Bachelor of Science in Education Batch 2016
Gina Bechayda Church Music (Union Theological Seminary) Batch 2016
When Pipit was founded chartered as a community empowerment organization, we could not have imagined opportunities such as this coming our way. We give thanks for our creative and faithful partners here, and over there, who make change and impact the lives in community.
Thank you all for your continued support! Peace & Love……
Pipit College and High School Scholars in Sucol Calamba:
Zhara Jhane Alegre Bachelor of Science in Nursing 4th Year Batch 2012
Jonna Mae Bechayda Bachelor of Science in Education 4th Year Batch 2012
Angelica Alegre Bachelor of Science in Nursing 3rd Year Batch 2013
Harold Masiglat Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineer 1st Year Batch 2015
Rosanna Durban 4th Year High School Batch 2012
Joshua Ian Indico 3rd Year High School Batch 2013
Annabella Ortoguero 1st Year High School Batch 2015
Jeremy Decena 1st Year High School Batch 2015
Francis Mar Capitan 1st Year High School Batch 2015
New approved College for 2012:
Rosanna Durban Bachelor of Science in Education Batch 2016
Ruffa Domingo Bachelor of Science in Education Batch 2016
Gina Bechayda Church Music (Union Theological Seminary) Batch 2016
When Pipit was founded chartered as a community empowerment organization, we could not have imagined opportunities such as this coming our way. We give thanks for our creative and faithful partners here, and over there, who make change and impact the lives in community.
Thank you all for your continued support! Peace & Love……
