Unang Hakbang Foundation Inc.

TWO PEER TUTORS GRADUATE MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Unang Hakbang's program of volunteer tutoring helps not only those children being tutored but the tutors themselves. They say that it teaches them patience, boosts their self-confidence, reinforces their knowledge and sense of responsibility. All these contribute to their improved performance in school. UHF is particularly proud of 2 tutors, Jamaica Mampusti and Sophie Hermosa, who graduated Magna Cum Laude from Rizal Technical College (RTU) and Jose Rizal University (JRU), respectively.
"I would say that my journey as a peer tutor is my fondest adolescent memory. Aside from being able to meet people with the same enthusiasm as me, I was also introduced to my lifelong passion for volunteerism and teaching kids .... I want to expand my expertise and reach more people in need." - Jamaica
"I served as a peer tutor in our community, teaching kids basic literacy and numeracy. Thanks to PILAK, along with the Unang Hakbang Foundation, I was given a platform to extend my hands to these children and help them continue dreaming, just like me." - Sophie

Children’s Participation strengthens local governance - Ateneo Human Rights Center Written by Claire Laison, AKAP Director Children are often the passive audience of activities and projects, but if provided the opportunity and platform to lead, one can wonder – how would children do things their way?  This is one of the questions answered by Children Teaching and Learning for a...

AHRC presents ChildTALK Project Before Mandaluyong City Local Government Unit - Ateneo Human Rights Center The Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC) presented the Children Teaching and Learning for and by Kids (ChildTALK) project before the city’s LGU during the Monday Morning Program of the City of Mandaluyong today, 4 December 2023. The program was held to recognize the different activities held during t...

Very proud of our Pinagsamang Lakas ng Kabataan - PILAK members and how they’re stepping up to take on new roles in the community. Congratulations!!

Congratulations to Alaiza & John Rey of Unang Hakbang Foundation Inc. and all the other newly elected members of the BCPC.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION IN PAMPANGA Jan. 29-30, 2024

200 families of Unang Hakbang Foundation Inc. in Pampanga received food packs consisting of 3 kilos of rice, eggs, and milk. UHF beneficiaries are extremely appreciative of Unang Hakbang's unwavering support.

"Ang UHF ay maituturing naming hero kasi lagi silang timing sa pamimigay ng relief dahil nagkataon na naman na mayroon bagyong pumasok sa atin at sa balita ay heto ay malakas na bagyo. Kaya malaking tulong heto sa amin. Muli maraming maraming salamat po."
- Nanay Ana of Bacolor

"... kahit gaano man kalayo ang aming lugar naghahatid pa rin sila ng tulong sa aming mga anak at sa aming pamilya ang feeding na marami ang nabibiyayaan ng kanilang mga tulong. Dakal pong Salamat”.
- Nanay Gabriel Nucup ning Pandacaqui

A GENEROUS DONATION
An unexpected but very welcome donation was received from Kittleson, McCullough, and Carpo (KMC), a dynamic enterprise providing unique pro-working spaces and staff leasing services to businesses in the country. Their staff were impressed with the accomplishments of UHF as reported in our page. Their initial idea of an activity with the kids having fallen through, they arrived at the center last December to present a check in the amount of two hundred thousand (P200,000). UHF is grateful for this donation, which will be very helpful in providing the training and resources needed for "Unang Hakbang sa Pag-aaral", the tutorial program for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Additional funding will be needed to sustain the program.
If you would like to help, donate to
GCASH: 09618790502, Angelica G.,
or Unang Hakbang Foundation Inc.,
PNB 1231 7000 8138.

UHF CHRISTMAS PARTIES IN MANDALUYONG AND PAMPANGA
"Maraming salamat po sa Christmas Party ng Unang Hakbang, kami ay lubos na naging masaya at nabusog sa araw na ito kahit mga magulang ay kita lahat ang ngiti sa kanilang mga labi."
-- Carla, BNP

"Iisa lang alam ko nung umalis ako at ito ay nagsaya ako ng sobra pa sa sobra: I'M SO GRATEFUL TO BE WITH YOU ALL EVERYDAY. That's all, thank you." -- Kyla, BSF

"... ang saya at nakaka excite dahil ang saya ng mga laro, hindi kopo kakalimutan to dahil sobrang saya, ang nagustuhan ko po ang mga laro at ang jollibee hehehe."
-- Jozalyn, BST

"Nagtipon-tipon ang mga kapwa kong peer tutors, kami ay naglaro, kumain, at nagpalitan kami ng mga regalo. ... Hindi ko rin inexpect na ako’y mananalo ng best dress award."
-- Rein Gail, BNJ

"... ang masasabi ko lang po sa bonggang christmas party ay sobrang saya at napaka ingay, talaga namang hindi nawala ang mga ngiti namin sa labi dahil simula una hanggang matapos ang party ay busog na busog kami sa tawa, sa palaro, sa pagkain at lalo na sa gift packs na binigay." -- Jennifer, BSF

FOOD PACKAGES DISTRIBUTED IN MANDALUYONG
Just in time for the distribution, food prices were lower. UHF was able to add rice and fish to the vegetables.
If you would like to help hungry children, send your donations to Unang Hakbang Foundation Inc., PNB 1231 7000 8138 or GCASH: 09618790502, Angelica G.
Every peso counts!

UHF TUTORS WANT TO HELP THEIR COMMUNITY
Four UHF tutors, who have been helping their neighbors for the last 5 years or more, are now aspiring to help the broader community, their barangay of Addition Hills, Mandaluyong. Last October, they ran for election to positions in the Sangguniang Kabataan. Sophie Hermosa was successful and is now a kagawad. We expect her to apply the values of genuine, selfless service that she has imbibed as a tutor and member of Unang Hakbang for the last 10 years. Congratulations, Sophie! We commend Joyce Parilla, Jamaica Mampusti and Mike Banday for their efforts!

Four of our PILAK members were facilitators while 6 children from our centers in Mandaluyong & Pampanga were among the participants. Our young people reviewed the proposed commitments of the Philippine National Police, the Department of Social Welfare & Development, the Department of Interior & Local Government, and the Department of Education. They made insightful comments on the commitments proposed and the stated goals of those commitments. They sought to answer the questions: How do these respond to children’s needs & actual experiences? What do they assume about the children’s situation? What should be done?

Congratulations, Jam!

Reaping the seeds earlier planted

DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD PACKAGES IN MANDALUYONG AND PAMPANGA
Food prices are rising, food packages cost more. Unang Hakbang recognizes the effect of poor nutrition on children's future so they regularly distribute food aid. Donate P300 for a food package to:
Unang Hakbang Foundation Inc., PNB 1231 7000 8138 or
GCASH: 09618790502, Angelica G.

Congratulations, Pinagsamang Lakas ng Kabataan - PILAK!

Since the start of the pandemic, UHF has distributed bags of vegetables along with rice & eggs to families who need them. Children who come to UHF’s centers for for reading & math tutorials are also given a malunggay-based food supplement on a regular basis. We’ve done this because we know the benefit of feeding both the mind & body.

Help us maintain this. Get in touch with us at [email protected].

Hunger is decimating our demographic dividend We often hear how much the country would profit from its demographic dividend: The Philippines has one of the youngest populations in the world, with the potential to energize the economy and backstop

ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP UHF IN ITS GOAL OF IMPROVING CHILDREN'S LIVES

TELUS INTERNATIONAL
This business outsourcing company made a major contribution to the tutoring program of UHF.

ABOT KAMAY
A USAID-funded project whose aim is to give disadvantaged communities the organizational skills to address and improve their circumstances.

EDSA/SHANGRILA HOTEL
A supporter of long-standing, the hotel's latest outreach was to introduce 25 youth to hydroponic planting at Aba Pardes, a hydroponic farm.

ANOTHER GENEROUS VOLUNTEER
Mr. Vic Virtucio has been volunteering his time to Unang Hakbang kids twice a week for the last 10 years! Every Tuesday and Friday is English grammar time with "Sir Vic". Around 30 young people improve their writing, reading comprehension and conversation skills at his weekly one-hour classes. They are so thankful for his help in this skill, which can have a huge effect on their future job prospects.
You can have a significant effect on a child's future if you are willing to share a skill or hobby. Call Aileen Padoga (0969-079-1808) or Maristela Belarmino (0938-067-4990) to volunteer.

PILAK AND ATENEO -- CHAMPIONS FOR CHILD RIGHTS
In 2010, a group of teenagers teamed up with members of the Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC) to educate young people about their rights under the law, what constitutes abuse of those rights and how to confront them. The project was named CHILD TALK and the pioneer teenagers of Unang Hakbang called their group PILAK (Pinagsamang Lakas ng Kabataan). Thirteen years later, PILAK continues to give seminars to young people in their communities and has even collaborated with schools and barangays in this activity.
Ateneo now wants to expand the reach of this successful project and, with PILAK's input, will devise a training program for more volunteer advocates.
The initial plan was modest: to reach only one barangay. However, due to PILAK's 13 years of successful advocacy, the Mandaluyong Council for the Protection of Children is confident that they will be capable of expanding it to the whole city of Mandaluyong.
Unang Hakbang community is so proud of the young people of PILAK! They are now not just advocates but also co-creators and trainers of a program that will enlighten the youth of their community.

FEEL-GOOD ART
Creating art can calm our souls and soothe our worries. This was the message that Rellie Liwag, a successful artist, conveyed to about 20 UHF beneficiaries. After a talk about color theory, a breathing exercise and then a short meditation, they were left to express themselves with crayons and pastels. There was no shyness as the kids enjoyed drawing and not much hesitation when they explained the feelings behind their artwork. There were tears, some laughs but in general a good time was had by all.
UHF is so grateful to Ms. Liwag for volunteering her time to teach the young people a way to handle the stresses in life.
If you have a talent or a hobby, share it with these children. It will make such a difference to their lives! Call Aileen Padoga at (0969) 079 1808 or 8531-5189.

We are so proud of these young people who we have seen grow from quiet tentative young persons to the strong advocates for children’s rights that they’ve become.

FROM FAILING GRADES TO TOP OF THE CLASS
These kids joined Unang Hakbang to get help. Their performance in school was poor, reflected in failing grades. Fast forward to now -- they all rank at the top 5 of their classes! Their confidence, attitude and spirits have so revived that they now tutor other children. At only 10 years old, they have imbibed the spirit of Unang Hakbang -- to strive to improve oneself and one's neighbour. Aemil Gonzales, Kyla Maravillas, Shanika Siguan and Shiella May Ayhon are some of the 140 volunteer student tutors who commit at least 2 hours a week to tutor others.
Help Unang Hakbang keep children from dropping out of school and become the best they can be by donating to:
Unang Hakbang Foundation Inc.,
PNB 1231 7000 8138
or
GCASH: 09618790502, Angelica G.