By Becky Torres, Marizel Arambulo
In celebration of our 12th anniversary this year, Roots & Wings is formally launching a Social Entrepreneurship Program. The program’s vision is to be a channel for individuals and corporate sponsors/patrons to share their blessings to identified low-income beneficiaries in the Philippines, to “fortify our roots.”
As we “fly our wings,” let our hearts be touched from among the wide readership of the million-strong Filipino - European communities in 28 countries in Europe to support this laudable program. Let us be an instrument of change with social impact, contributing to the enhancement of the quality of life and uplifting the social condition of our targeted program beneficiaries in our motherland.
Who are selected Beneficiaries?
Roots and Wings selected three (3) beneficiaries for its Social Entrepreneurship Program – those who are severely affected by the recent typhoon Odette that stormed Central Visayas and Northern Mindanao and children of low income families in Negros and Palawan to continue and complete their education.
1. VICTIMS OF TYPHOON RAI/ODETTE
“While we cannot instantly rebuild their lives in a day, this is a start. Your donations go a long way. LET US CONTINUE HELPING SIARGAO.” Carl Hansen, Villa Cali Siargao
Numerous communities in the Visayas and Northern Mindanao were devastated by typhoon Odette (international code name Rai) on December 16, 2021, the strongest storm to hit the Philippines for the year. More than eight (8) million people were affected along with their lives, homes, livelihood, and infrastructure.
Donations received will be forwarded to the localities of Siargao, Cebu and Negros Occidental. The main focus will be providing NUTRITION (food), WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) and ECONOMIC RECOVERY (restoring homes and rebuilding livelihood).
2. LAURA VICUNA WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING CENTER (LVWDTC) in Victorias City, Negros Occidental through Sr. Guia Asperen, FMA
The Laura Vicuna Women’s Development and Training Center is a laudable community-based training center run by the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco providing one to two year technical-vocational courses with values formation, living up to its slogan “to give hope a better future.”
Its vision is to uplift the living standards of low income families such as sugarcane workers in Victorias City and nearby haciendas and to empower working minors, out-of-school youth, young men and women to acquire various skills towards building a quality and value-laden life for their families and contributing to the development of society. To encourage the poor deserving students to study and complete their course, the Center needs financial support to continue to offer free dormitory, lunch and snacks, school fees, uniform and laboratory materials and upgrade the facilities.
3. THE LAURA VICUNA CENTER PALAWAN in Mascarascas, Puerto Princesa, Palawan through Sr. Cathy Urgello, FMA
“Give Hope a Home” is the vision of Laura Vicuna Center while its mission is to empower children, families, and communities to be self-managing through education, development and protection of children and youth. Many children, some from indigenous communities coming from far flung areas, cannot afford to go to the public national high school because of the long distance to the school, scarcity of transportation and lack of financial means.
The threefold programs offered by the Center needing support are the Residential Program, Home Study Program and Farm Program.
Inspiring Stories
"LVWDTC made me realize how important it is to dream big and do whatever it takes to make those dreams come true. I worked in a 5-star hotel as a Secretary, then Room Attendant despite my goal which is to become a chef. I waited for the opportunity to apply in the Kitchen Department of Diamond Hotel and with a big smile, I was successfully accepted. Until now I am happily serving our clients, always grateful of my humble beginnings.”
Haney Escraela, Chef Diamond Hotel, Manila, graduate of a 2-year PC Operations Course
"LVWDTC inspired me, gave me strength and pushed me to be where I am now - to be successful in life. It taught me how to be a better version of myself by putting God at the center of my life. It molded me to be my best that I am right now, living with my wife, Winona, my schoolmate together with our little angel, Mathena. We will always put God at the center of our family as what our school taught us, to surpass whatever challenges life brings.”
Manny Barcelona, Cinematographer/Video Editor, Dubai, graduate of a 1 year Office Technology Course
HOW CAN YOU BE AN INSTRUMENT OF SOCIAL IMPACT?
1. Individual Sponsorship - deposit to Roots & Wings account and email advice to rawmags.sponsor@gmail.com. Include your name, amount donated and preferred beneficiary.
2. Corporate Sponsorship - email pledge to rawmags.sponsor@gmail.com. We will communicate with you on arrangements of sponsorship and feature you in the next issue of Roots and Wings.
Sponsors’ Benefits
Having been awarded Best Magazine 2021 by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas and operational for a dozen years, Rawmags provides reader confidence, value, and brand power. Our readers trust what they see and in turn trust you, our partner.
Roots & Wings directly takes you to your target market. Rawmags readers are potential customers and supporters. You can introduce your product and service to a target market, expand your reach, enhance goodwill, educate consumers, and bring Filipinos joy.
Our Social Entrepreneurship Team Becky Torres and Marizel Arambulo.
Come along, FORTIFY OUR ROOTS to FLY OUR WINGS!
Contributions may be sent Roots & Wings Social Entrepreneurship to:
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 15-728209-1
IBAN: CH52 0900 0000 1572 8209 1
BIC: POFICHBEXXX
ACCOUNT NAME: Roots and Wings (R&W)
CURRENCY: Euro
BANK NAME: PostFinance Ltd
BANK ADDRESS: Mingerstrasse 20, 3030 Berne Switzerland
CLEARING NO. 090002