MARK YOUR CALENDAR: "Sharing Hearts", a WIMLER HK Fundraising event

NEW DATE: February 20, 2016

Entering the 5th year since its inception, WIMLER Foundation HK made an early plan to hold a Valentine's fundraising activity in Hong Kong. "Sharing Hearts" will be held on Saturday, 20 February 2016 at the Hong Kong Football Club. The event will start at 6:30 pm with welcome drinks followed by Buffet Dinner and dance.

Net proceeds of the event will support WIMLER's "Send a Child to School" program. Since 2011, WIMLER has already supported more than 600 pupils, high school and college students in North Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya, and Iloilo. Allprovinces are located in the Philippines.

To find out more of our Send a Child to School program, please visit:

http://wimler.org/send-a-child-to-school/

http://wimler.blogspot.com/2015/07/special-report-192-pupils-18-high.html

For ticket reservation, kindly contact:

Emilie Veringa - +852 5191 0902

Luz Tan - +852 96309311

An amount of HK 500/year is needed to help an elementary school pupil. High school students would cost about HK$ 1,200 per year while a college student will cost about 

HK$ 3,300 per semester.

If you wish to donate, kindly send your contribution to:

WIMLER FOUNDATION HONG KONG LTD. 

Account Number: 801-079963-838

Bank: HSBC Hong Kong

BIC code bank (SWIFT address): HSBCHKHHHKH

Bank Address: 1 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong (SAR)

Donations sent from Hong Kong is tax deductible.

Christmas Message to all LSE/FLSE

We take the opportunity that this Advent brings, to wish you well this coming Christmas and the holiday season 

The year 2015 started with the sessions in Milan and Rome going into the homestretch and new programs launched in Hong Kong, Dubai and Macau. New programs were also launched in Paris, Brussels and The Hague and in the last quarter of the year, programs were launched in Barcelona and Torino.   Concomitantly, there were a series of graduations this year from LSE 24 through LSE 31 – a total of eight training batches - between the end of August through mid- November – bringing the number of LSE graduates to over 1200 globally. Similar strides have been done locally with new FLSE batches in Iloilo and San Fernando (La Union) and ongoing training programs in Pototan and Passi City  and potentially a new program in Bacolod City.

 A growing network needs real adaptation to the tools available to be able to continue the learning’s and reinforce them to continue the spirit of innovation, a new perspective,  and a determination to do things correctly for oneself, the family, the community and also contribute to nation-building. More and more the rooted secretariats, core groups, established partners and alumni councils will all have a larger role to play in mainstreaming the LSE program for OFW empowerment.

Here are some three ideas to reflect on this Christmas season. The first one is the theme of gratitude. We all have much to be thankful for in our lives, our families and friends, our classmates and co-alumni, and the gift of creation. After all the hustle and bustle of our being busy, we owe it to ourselves to find some quiet time to take stock and look at our gains and see with our LSE lens,  what are  our aspirations and to make a better resolve  to achieve better results for the future.  Let us remember to forgive those who disappointed us as we ask for pardon for our shortcomings. Reflection and discernment should really be integrated into our daily lives through meditation and prayer. 

The second is on perseverance.  As migrants we all know that life has not been easy and that even on a daily basis we are faced with a variety of challenges. The ability to endure or persevere is most significant as this will help us face the challenges and temptations that come our way. We should not give up because the going is difficult. LSE has taught us to see the situation and re-frame it depending on the opportunities available for us. Endurance requires commitment and dedication and the ability to see beyond our immediate surroundings and remain focused on our long-term goals. To be able to persevere, we have to look for like-minded individuals and communities, such as the LSE alumni, that will keep us on our desired path. 

Last but not the least, is hope. Hope is the ability to see what lies beyond for our future. It is what drives us to hang on to our vision. It helps us inspire us when we feel alone or discouraged. Hope helps us to build our character and continues to be our source of our inner strength in prayer. The ability to move against hopelessness, that small glimmer or slim chance or opportunity – is all we need to move upward and confront our challenges. Hope demands that we recognize our small victories and celebrate them. Our lives are founded on the conviction that our lives - together with our family and in so doing our community and eventually our nation – will be much better off in the years to come.   

So Christmas is the time for renewal of friendships, of  kamustahan, of remembering, and of sharing our joys. Let us do so in a meaningful way, mindful that we are men and women for others and that our LSE training and perspective has given us a second chance or a renewed purpose in life to build our legacies.

In behalf of the LSE Migration and Development Consortium (ASoG, OFSPES, SEDPI and UGAT), we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and more prosperous New Year for 2016.   


Cristina Liamzon
Coordinator
LSE Migration & Development Consortium

LSE alumni receive WIMLER Recognition Awards for implementing their business plans

Hong Kong - Seventeen graduates from batches 2012, 2013 and 2014 – five teams and an individual - will receive certificates of recognition from WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong for implementing the business plans they presented during the Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship training program. The award recognizes the dedication, perseverance, and commitment of those who pursued their dreams. The awarding of certificates will be held on October 18 during the first LSE Alumni Hong Kong reunion in Repulse Bay.

The awardees this year are: WOW Spa and Beauty Salon, Waffle Express, Passi Balik-sa-Bayan, Inc, Spa Kalusugan /Sanctuaryo Beauty and Wellness Training Center, Lucky’s Panganan, and Lingap Galing Cleaning Consultants. While the business plans were mostly submitted by teams, WIMLER observes that in some cases a member of the team is the one who actually implemented the business plans but with the full support from other team members.  In view of this, WIMLER also recognizes the team members for their contribution.

The business plans are aimed at enhancing the participants’ skills and knowhow in starting a social enterprise. If properly implemented, the business could help their eventual return and reintegration in the Philippines. Since LSE was introduced in Hong Kong three years ago, 158 Filipino migrant workers and some Filipino residents in Hong Kong have already graduated and presented a total of 65 business plans. Those who are interested in implementing their business plans receive mentoring and coaching.

To find out how the business plans are faring, WIMLER HK issued a call to all alumni to submit descriptions of their respective businesses. Proofs such as business permit, SEC registration, and pictures are required to be able to qualify. 

So far, five teams and one individual responded.  “We hope this recognition will inspire other LSE graduates to follow their footsteps. Nothing is impossible if they work hard,” Leila Rispens-Noel, co-founder of WIMLER Foundation HK said.

 “We are aware that many LSE alumni defer the implementation of their business plans until they finally decide to go home for good. They have difficulties finding the right people to manage the business. Some need to raise the required capital although others have started preparing the necessary documents required to start a business in the Philippines. Others are taking additional courses in Hong Kong to enhance their skills and qualifications. For instance, a group of LSE graduates are now busy acquiring accreditation from TESDA.” The 44 LSE 30 participants who graduated last October 11 are not yet included in this call.

The LSE is a joint initiative of the Ateneo de Manila University School of Government (ASOG) with the Overseas Filipinos Society for the Promotion of Economic Security (OFSPES), SEDPI, Ugat Foundation, the Philippine Consulate, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The course is organized and coordinated in Hong Kong by WIMLER Foundation HK.

Profile of 2015 Awardees

Wow Spa and Beauty Salon

Evilyn Tabujara Suco, a graduate of LSE 22, started WOW Spa and Beauty Salon, on November 27, 2014 immediately after her graduation. Her salon is located in the heart of the commercial district of Paraňaque. Her team is composed of one manager, two receptionists and 38 massage therapists. 

“I am trying to provide my staff the best working arrangement I can give considering that I just started with my business,” says Evilyn.  “A massage therapist receives Ph 100/day flat rate. In addition, for every massage service the therapist performs, he or she takes home Ph 75 plus all the tips. The daily rate increases if they have more clients. For example, if one performs two massage services a day, the take home pay is Ph 150; for three clients, Ph 180 plus all the tips. This arrangement encourages them to work harder. The 100/day is only for those who have only one client per day.”

Some good therapists could earn Ph 1,000/day. As fringe benefit, Evilyn provides an apartment located in front of the spa for those living far from Parañaque to minimize travel expenses.

Evilyn’s commitment to pay forward does not limit in her own business. This year, she supported the education of six pupils through the “Send a Child to School” project of WIMLER.

“The impact of the business on me is enormous,” says Evilyn. “I feel responsible for my crew while pursuing the goals of the business. Being the owner/manager, I have to take care of the human resources and oversee the financial management. I should see to it that my crew regularly upgrades their skills.”

Waffle Express Cart

Waffle Express Cart (Wekart) was formed during the LSE practicum class by Marifi Reyes (LSE 12), Haydee Salazar (LSE 12), Marilyn Ramos (LSE 16), and Mauricio Molina (LSE 16). Marifi Reyes, one of the team members, implemented Waffle Express cart in Camarines Norte last July 24, 2014. 

The other team members also contributed with their ideas. The main products are fresh Belgian and Eggettes waffles including some cold drinks. Marifi’s team originally submitted Pomelo Health Home Spa but after serious consideration, she decided to implement Wekart. The reason for this is that she has no adequate supply yet of pomelo leaves which is the main feature of the spa. While waiting for her pomelo trees to mature, Marifi implemented Wekart.

Marifi’s son, John Patrick Reyes is responsible for the business. Sometimes he asks his classmates to have part time jobs in the Wekart. 

The return of investments after a year is set at Ph 60, 000, an average income of Ph300 to Ph500/day. “Starting a business has lots of ups and downs,” says Marifi. “For example, I bought a generator which costs Ph25, 000 to minimize the cost of electricity. However, there was a complaint of nuisance. So in the end, we used electric plugs again. We also need to save some funds for the maintenance of the waffle machines and the built-in motorcycle. I encountered lots of challenges, but I never give up,” she added.

“The business goes well during school days, lesser during holidays. To augment our income, we also offer our products to various events. Fortunately, since our business is home-based, our overhead expense is lesser.”

Not long after, Marifi opened her second Wekart in Cavite which is run and managed by her sister. Haydee Salazar, one of the members of the team, plans to implement the project in Mindoro now that she is going home for good in October.

“So far, the income of WEKART has helped me a lot. I am now sending less than half of the remittances compared as before. For example, if I used to send Ph 10,000 per month, now I am sending Ph 5,000 only. This means, I can already increase my savings.” 

“LSE taught me how to budget, and to become conscious of my money. LSE taught me how to care of my group mates, motivate them to dream, and start their own business when they go home for good. LSE helps me to get in touch with my family plans and reintegration. And most of all, we have WEKART because of LSE.”

The LSE training helps Marifi a lot in implementing her business. “I become more responsible and a tough decision maker. I am prepared to deal with unexpected events and I have to think immediately for the solutions. I think a business is like having a baby: from conception to birth. You have to care and nurture it so it will grow.”

Marifi’s future plan is to have a space for WEKART inside the Cavite Walter Mall.  

Lucky’s Panganan

Lucky’s Panganan is an eatery set up by Lynette Fajardo and her teammate Abeguel Ong, both LSE 22 graduates and Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong. After attending LSE 22, they came up with an idea where to invest some of their savings while working in Hong Kong in preparation for their re-integration.  Panganan is an Ilocano term of eatery. The purpose of the business is to help students and their community by offering them affordable and healthy meal. 

Since noodle dishes are popular, affordable and easy to prepare, they decided to venture into noodle business. Lucky's Panganan started operations last February 2015 with the help of Lynette's parents, Mr. Esteban Garcia as cook and Mrs. Connie Garcia as financial manager. 

Lucky’s Panganan is located near some schools in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya like Saint Mary’s University, Bayombong Central School, PLT College, and Nueva Vizcaya State University exactly where their targeted clients can be found. Their other purpose is to support feeding program in their community for grade school pupils.  Lucky Panganan gives free nutritional food every three months in cooperation with Guardians Bona Fide For Hope Foundation Inc. and Guardians Nationalist of the Philippines Bagong Silang - Chapter Yuen long Hong Kong.

 “LSE has big impact on me specially in setting my personal goals. I learned many things from LSE and I feel little by little, I am achieving some of my plans like setting up my own business to help not only my direct family but also other people,” says Lynette.

“I know I will not be working in Hong Kong all my life. It is difficult to be separated from my family. I cannot take care of my own children and watch them grow.”

“LSE opened my eyes that I should be reunited with my family. With the help of my parents, I hope to see my business grow so one day soon, I can go home for good.”

Passi City Balik-sa-Bayan, Inc.

The Passi City Balik-sa-Bayan, Inc (BsB) is the only non-profit social enterprise business plan submitted during LSE 16. The team is composed of Ma. Wilma Padura, Noemi Paniza, Grace Osido, and Marilou Dacio.

BsB is composed of Passinhon who once in their lifetime worked abroad as OFWs, seafarers and immigrants in various places in the world. It also includes current migrant workers and their family. It was formally registered with the Security and Exchange Commission last November 11, 2012. The BsB office is located at 2nd /F, Passi Public Market, City of Passi, Iloilo, Philippines. They have one volunteer staff to look after their programs and projects.

The overall objective of BsB is to help minimize social problems resulting from migration. This will be achieved by assisting families left behind in setting up family-based income-generating projects to make them eventually less dependent on remittances. 

During LSE 16, the team proposed to conduct Financial Literacy, Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (FLSE) for families of migrants in Iloilo, a program of Ateneo de Manila University School of Government together with OFSPES, SEDPI, and Ugat Foundation. The main objective of FLSE is to provide OFW returnees and families with knowledge on financial literacy, leadership and social entrepreneurship. After the course, the participants are encouraged to initiate livelihood activities among migrant returnees to help improve their economic situation and well-being.  Having regular source of income, prevents them from sliding back to poverty after they have exhausted or mismanaged whatever savings or assets they initially had. 

BsB implemented FLSE in Iloilo last year with 28 graduates in cooperation with St. Joseph Patronage Parish in Pototan, and COWAH, migrant hometown association of Cabatuanons.  A back-to-back FLSE will be conducted in Pototan and Passi City starting November 7 and 8.  The FLSE is Passi City is supported by the provincial local government, DSWD, DOLE, Double Dragon, Uli-Passi Program, and Passinhon 2000, Inc. 

The group also conducted a Therapeutic Massage Training last March 23-24, 2015 attended by ten members to help create jobs for the unemployed. BsB also aims to give back to the community by providing community services and launching charity and scholarship projects. This year, BsB launched “Send a Child to School Project” in partnership with WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong. 

Ten elementary pupils from Anecito Panolino Elementary School in Brgy. Dalicanan, Passi City, Iloilo received educational assistance in 2015 with the help of Passinhon abroad. In addition, they organized Giving and Feeding program in five barangays of Passi City.

In line with livelihood activities, BsB constructed a fishpond in Brgy. Sablogon, Passi City. They started with 2,500 tilapia fingerlings which will be harvested every 2 months. They also have a vegetable garden in the same area.

 “The impact of this projects in our lives is that we live what we have learned in LSE on how to become a servant leader by empowering our members on how to save, investing and starting a social enterprise type of business,” says Wilma. She realized the importance of building cooperation with LGUs and other like-minded organizations in Iloilo to be able to implement their business plan.

Spa Kalusugan Hong Kong /Sanctuaryo Beauty and Wellness Training Center Bacolod City

Wilma Donnelly can be considered as the first LSE 12 graduate who implemented a business plan. A few months after her graduation from LSE 12, Wilma opened the Spa Kalusugan in Central on February 15, 2015 together with two of her team mates. Ladyline Ducusin did accounting and administrative work while Joel Espino dela Cruz did the marketing part during the first year of operations.

SPA Kalusugan operates as a social entrepreneurship in HK.  It offers 60 % discount on treatments and spa lessons for all OFWs and 20% discount on treatments for local HK residents. Many HK, Filipinos and expat residents and a few hundred OFW's enjoyed the spa treatments and promoted relaxation, wellness and well-being and healing. A few female migrant workers joined the classes for massage, body scrub and facial therapies. 

Wilma reserves a portion of her net income to support a ministry in Bacolod City and Negros called Feeds for Souls. 

“I had saved enough capital to open Sanctuaryo: Beauty and Wellness Training Center in Bacolod City in 2015. There are 8 trainees now. With her business Wilma hopes to provide them with spiritual nourishment as well as practical skills so they will have meaningful source of income.

Lingap Galing Cleaning Consultants

Lingap Galing Cleaners  (LGCC) is a company with a social mission established in late 2012. It was set up by returning migrant workers from Hong Kong in partnership with development professionals, community organizers and concerned local entrepreneurs based in the Philippines to offer livelihood and additional income sources to low-income women in various communities in Metro Manila. The team members are: Ching Baltazar, Cristina Cayat, Lenlen Mesina, and Gina Ordona.

Returned migrants who have knowledge and practical experience in professional housekeeping services up-to-date with international standards trained their cleaning consultants. After putting together training modules and materials, LGCC completed their intensive pilot training which benefited a total of 42 community women. The participants completed more than 40 hours of extensive theoretical and hands-on training in different household types and setting in Metro Manila.

On-going on-the-job trainings from June – December 2014 allowed LGCC to select the most committed core group of trainees who are now ready to take up work assignments.  From January 2015, LGCC maintains a core group of regular 6 cleaners alternately servicing regular as well as one off clients. 

At the moment a young woman from the community helps in promoting LGCC coordinates work and market our services. They also have a volunteer operations coordinator and finance manager. 

Migrant founders have delivered regular workshops and sessions with the core group and ensure standards and quality of the services we provide.

At the moment, they are in a business incubation arrangement housed within SEDPI. LGCC has been offering services to clients and issuing receipts if requested from SEDPI. They now are in the process of expanding the market and continuously training their core group of cleaners to ensure standards and keep their small client base happy.

The team realized that setting up a business is definitely not a walk in the park. “It gets more complicated and difficult with decisions that has to be made among a number of partners while also taking into consideration context in the Philippines since the business is set up there,” says Lenlen.

“It is very challenging to get fully committed cleaners and all of us as business partners realized that community women need a lot of support to reframe their mindset from dole out mentality to work-for-pay plus making them realize the importance of delivering quality service. It is exciting though to see how our core group are able to internalize the principles of the company and how we stress the importance of integrity, dignity of work and high quality service.”

“LSE showed us the possibility of creating/setting up a business aiming to also do social good. It does require though continuous mentoring and guidance especially for women who are not very much ready to go home yet but are keen to begin to plan their business and life when they go back for good.”

Financial Literacy, Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (FLSE) Training Program in Bacolod City

An empowerment program for families of overseas Filipinos, the Financial Literacy, Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (FLSE) training program, will start its training on October 18, 2015, Sunday, at the SANCTUARYO, G/F & 1/F, Nuega Bldg, Patria village, Burgos Ext. Villamonte, Bacolod City.

The FLSE program is a joint initiative of Migration and Development Consortium composed of the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG), Overseas Filipinos Society for the Promotion of Economic Security (OPSPES), Social Enterprises Development Partnership, Inc. (SEDPI), and Ugat Foundation in cooperation WIMLER Foundation Philippines. Sanctuaryo is the main organizer and host of the FLSE in Bacolod City.

The Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (LSE) program was first conducted in Rome, Italy in 2008 and has since reached out to other overseas Filipinos (OFs) in Naples, Milan, Florence, Turin, Dubai, Amsterdam, Paris and Brussels.  By April 2013, over 700 had graduated from 21 batches.  LSE22 in Hong Kong, which started on March 9, 2013 follows the successful holding of LSE 12, 15 and 16.  Also launched in October 2012 was the first FLSE program designed for the families of OFs in the Baclaran area, followed by Davao City, Iloilo City (FLSE-3 Batch-1) and Cagayan de Oro City.

The objective of FLSE is similar to LSE but the emphasis is on the experience of the families left behind.  FLSE helps OFW families to acquire skills and knowledge to help their relatives working abroad to achieve their migration goals and prepare for their return and reintegration.  It also develops and enhances their leadership skills to become active participants in the community and nation-building.

FLSE covers 13 sessions each, two (2) Sundays per month, over a six-month period.  Sessions last from 9:30AM to 4:30PM.  The program covers three (3) modules: financial literacy, leadership and social entrepreneurship.  FLSE aims to develop the leadership skills and potentials among overseas Filipinos and their families, provide knowledge and skills in savings and investments and other financial matters and develop and/or enhance their entrepreneurial skills.

At the end of the course, a certificate is awarded at a graduation ceremony by the ASoG and other partners to trainees who attend all the sessions.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 is the deadline for registration.

Participation fee is PhP 3,000.00 for the whole course.

Mode of Payment:

a)  First Payment:  PhP 500.00 on or before September 30, 2015

b)  Balance of PhP 2,500.00 on three installments:

      ●  PhP 500.00 on or before September 30, 2015

      ●  PhP 1,000.00 on or before November 7, 2015

      ●  PhP 500.00 on or before December 5, 2015

Admission to the course is on “first come, first served basis” and those who have paid full or partial payment before September 30, 2015.

Inquiries on the program and submission of application forms should be directed to:

FLSE-7 Bacolod:

SANCTUARYO, G/F & 1/F,

Nuega Bldg, Patria village, Burgos Ext.

Villamonte, BACOLOD CITY

For inquiries please contact:

In Bacolod:

Wilma Ciokon Donnelly , Ann Malunes or Tuben Malunes

Tel: 034-4314980; 0977 4824287; 0927 1411627

In Hong Kong:  +852 9263 7471

FB Account:  Wilma Ciokon Donnelly

Email: wilmadonnelly@gmail.com

Please download the following:

Registration form in PDF  

Provisional Schedule in PDF

Financial Literacy, Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (FLSE 6) starts on October 17 in Iloilo

An empowerment program for families of overseas Filipinos, the Financial Literacy, Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (FLSE) training program, will start its training on October 17, 2015, Saturday, at the Patronage of St. Joseph Parish Hall, Pototan, Iloilo.  The training is organized by the St. Joseph Movement of Migrants and their Families (SJMMF) in Pototan, Iloilo with support from the Patronage of St. Joseph Parish of Pototan, Iloilo.

The FLSE program is a joint initiative of Migration and Development Consortium composed of the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG), Overseas Filipinos Society for the Promotion of Economic Security (OPSPES), Social Enterprises Development Partnership, Inc. (SEDPI), Ugat Foundation and WIMLER Foundation Philippines.

The Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (LSE) program was first conducted in Rome, Italy in 2008 and has since reached out to other overseas Filipinos (OFs) in Naples, Milan, Florence, Turin, Dubai, Amsterdam, Paris and Brussels.  By April 2013, over 700 had graduated from 21 batches.  LSE22 in Hong Kong, which started on March 9, 2013 follows the successful holding of LSE 12, 15 and 16.  Also launched in October 2012 was the first FLSE program designed for the families of OFs in the Baclaran area, followed by Davao City, Iloilo City (FLSE-3 Batch-1) and Cagayan de Oro City.

The objective of FLSE is similar to LSE but the emphasis is on the experience of the families left behind.  FLSE helps OFW families to acquire skills and knowledge to help their relatives working abroad to achieve their migration goals and prepare for their return and reintegration.  It also develops and enhances their leadership skills to become active participants in the community and nation-building.

FLSE covers 13 sessions each, two (2) Saturdays per month, over a six-month period.  Sessions last from 9:30AM to 4:30PM.  The program covers three (3) modules: financial literacy, leadership and social entrepreneurship.  FLSE aims to develop the leadership skills and potentials among overseas Filipinos and their families, provide knowledge and skills in savings and investments and other financial matters and develop and/or enhance their entrepreneurial skills.

At the end of the course, a certificate is awarded at a graduation ceremony by the ASoG and other partners to trainees who attend all the sessions.

Kindly check the links for the registration form, invitation letter, and proposed schedule below.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 is the deadline for registration.

Participation fee is PhP 3,000.00 for the whole course.


Mode of Payment:

a)  First Payment:  PhP 500.00 on or before September 30, 2015
b)  Balance of PhP 2,500.00 on three installments:

●  PhP 500.00 on or before September 30, 2015
●  PhP 1,000.00 on or before November 7, 2015
●  PhP 500.00 on or before December 5, 2015

Admission to the course is on “first come, first served basis” and those who have paid full or partial payment before September 30, 2015.

Inquiries on the program and submission of application forms should be directed to:

FLSE-6  Pototan, Iloilo
St. Joseph Movement of Migrants and their Families (SJMMF)
Patronage of St. Joseph Parish, Pototan, Iloilo

Joefel Resol – 09105696706
Boy Ledesma – 09279700739
Annie Rose Trifalgar – 09173025168
Lulu Alipat – 09214752045
Susie Cordero – 09195038336


DOWNLOAD documents:

Registration Form
Invitation Letter
Proposed Schedule

How LSE paves the way to a helper’s dream

Note to our readers.  WIMLER will be publishing articles written by our LSE alumni and participants. 

By Jeanie Castillo Carambas

LSE 30

Set small goals and fulfill them while working on your long-term goal. Keep on dreaming. Keep on learning. Be positive. Believe in yourself. These are some of the words our mentors shared with us aside from their usual lectures.  In addition, I say, do your part and have faith that God will give you what you deserve. These are the thoughts that I live by everyday. Thoughts that I try to impart to my family, friends and people I meet in my daily life.

I have been working as a domestic helper here in Hong Kong for over 10 years now. I lived a life that many of us are familiar with. Doing household chores became my everyday routine but I never let my world revolve around the limited space of the house. I try to keep learning new things. And then one day, through a best friend, I learned about LSE.

LSE 30 in one of their sessions

When I first heard about LSE, which stands for Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship, I must admit, it sounded very ordinary to me.  I have already attended similar trainings here in Hong Kong so the topic was not really new to me. Then, when I attended the graduation of LSE 22, I changed my mind. The graduates looked so happy and empowered that I already imagine myself as one of the graduates of the next batch. I have great admiration for helpers who aim to be a step higher. It never occurred to my mind that the course will open up a new opportunity for me as a student of the course. Yes, I am still a student hoping to graduate on the 11^th of October this year. 

Who would imagine that from a typical helper’s mind, I am now trying to write my article? Mixed emotion is what I am feeling now. Excited because this is an opportunity that I have been waiting for, to write. It has been my dream to learn how to write. I am happy because through this, I would be able to share my insights with more people. I am hoping that through writing, I will be able to inspire others. I want to share my experiences.  The more I think of it, the more I feel the urge of learning more.

Participants of Writers' Workshop with Jun Concepcion

The urge to write started in LSE where we are asked to write an essay after each session. We write journals about what we have learned. My latent passion for writing has been ignited once more. Writing essays in fact, led me to writing this article. The experience brings so much inspiration and motivation to me. It brings confidence and the desire to do more and to learn more. I hope that my story will inspire others to get out of their own comfort zone. Take courage to make a change. Aim to improve yourselves. Aim to be different. Don’t stop dreaming. Take the first steps. Keep going because we never know what opportunities await us. I never imagined that the sacrifices I did to take this course will lead me to fulfilling one of my dreams! I learned how to manage my finances and cut down on a lot of expenses. However, I am happy that I did it but I am not there yet. We are still working on our business plan to complete the course. This achievement means so much to me. I have attended a course to be a good leader and a social entrepreneur and I am learning how to write is a bonus!

Thank you to Ma’am Leila Rispens-Noel for the encouragement to start writing. I would also want to thank Sir Jun Concepcion for guiding me through the Writers’ Workshop, also organized by WIMLER Foundation. We are so lucky to be the first batch ever! Thank you LSE, to our mentors, for helping us to change our mindset and for giving this opportunity to us. The country will be truly indebted to you for all of these programs that you do. You empower not just OFWs but our families back home.

The author: I am Jeanie Castillo Carambas, 43 years old  from Alaminos City,  Pangasinan. I have 4 children whom I left when they were 12, 9, 7 and 2. I have worked in Hong Kong from April 2005 up to present.

Updated Special Report: 202 pupils, 18 high school and 4 college students receive educational support this year from WIMLER and partners

Through the combined efforts of WIMLER Foundation HK, WIMLER Philippines, Association of Bansaleños Worldwide (ABW), Nicolas Amor Educational Fund, and Passi City Balik sa Bayan, Inc., 192 pupils, 18 high school and 3 college students received educational fund in school year 2015-2016.

Officially launched in 2010, the Send a Child to School project of WIMLER Philippines has gained wide support from friends and families abroad. The project received more support with the establishment of WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong in 2011 which presently provides the bulk of funding through its various fund raising drive in Hong Kong.

NO. OF BENEFICIARIES SCHOOL YEAR 2015-2016
AREA	DONORS	NO.
Mlang, North Cotabato
Dugong Elementary School	WIMLER	35
Mlang Pilot Elementary School	WIMLER	40
Mlang National High School	WIMLER	18
College	WIMLER	4
Bansalan, Davao del Sur
Marber Elementary School	WIMLER	20
Dolo Elementary School	ABW	20
Mabuhay Elementary School	ABW	15
Villa Doneza Elementary School	Nicolas Amor Educational Fund	10
Poblacion	WIMLER	2
Iloilo
Banate, Iloilo	WIMLER	30
Anecito Panolino Elementary School	Passi City Balik sa Bayan	10
Nueva Vizcaya
Gov. Manzano Elementary School	WIMLER	20

CUMULATIVE  NUMBER OF CHILDREN ASSISTED SINCE 2011
No. of Beneficiaries	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	TOTAL
Kindergarten					50		50
Pupils	20	97	137	135	138	157	684
High School			7	17	20	18	62
College					2	3	5

The figures only reflect the number of children directly by WIMLER. WIMLER Philippines also manages the funds provided by Association of Bansaleños Worldwide (ABW) and Nicolas Amor Educational Fund

Our donors come from various countries: Philippines, Hong Kong, USA, Mexico, Singapore, Netherlands, Denmark, and Canada.

The Send a Child to School is implemented in the Philippines by WIMLER Philippines in collaboration with various schools and local partners. This school year, we collaborate with the following:

WIMLER Foundation HK

WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong Ltd. was officially registered in 2011 as a non-profit and charitable organization which primary objective is to support the capacity building and empowerment of migrant communities regardless of nationalities and to promote cultural diversity based on mutual respect, solidarity, and shared empowerment among peoples.

WIMLER Partnership for Social Progress, Inc.

The WIMLER Partnership for Social Progress, Inc. is a non-profit and non-governmental organizations which aims to contribute to the development of the local communities in Mindanao.  Established in 2006 by Rispens-Noel Family, WIMLER supports projects which benefit local communities, particularly women and out-of-school youth.

 Association of Bansaleños Worldwide (ABW)

Association of Bansaleños Worldwide (ABW) is a virtual hometown association of Bansaleños who live and work abroad. They started “Give Back” campaign in 2007.

Passi City Balik sa Bayan, Inc.

Passi City Balik sa Bayan, Inc. is a group of Passinhons who once in their lifetime worked abroad as OFWs, seafarers and immigrants in various places in the world. It was launched on November 11, 2012 at Passi City, Iloilo. It was founded under the supervision of the Passi City (Iloilo) Association Hong Kong (PCIAHK) officers and members.

Nicolas Amor Educational Fund

Nicolas Amor Educational Fund is a private initiative of Bella Amor Cintron in honor of her late father, Mr. Nicolas Amor, who served as principal for many years at Villa Doneza Central Elementary School in Bansalan, Davao del Sur.

Gallery during distribution of bags, uniforms, school supplies, etc. (more pictures to follow)

Our high school scholars

Richard Rispens, one of the directors of WIMLER HK came during the distribution in Mlang