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