Report January 2023

Working visit Librada Philippines 2023

After a period of corona and a serious illness of an (executive) board member, after 5 years there was again an opportunity to plan a trip for the Librada Foundation and the setting up of various projects.

On the 14th of March 2023, 2 board members left for the Philippines to set up various projects in the town of Sebaste, Antique province (birthplace of one of the board members).

Various projects were set up, including a high school, primary school, kindergarten, and a local hospital. Food parcels were distributed to various families, and several individual donations were provided. 

After a short stay in Manila (due to purchasing tickets local flight), we arrived on March 18th at 9 pm. Unfortunately, travelling directly to our destination (Sebaste) was not possible due to various circumstances, necessitating an overnight stay in Kalibo.

We arrived in Sebaste on Sunday, the 19th of March, to a warm welcome by family and friends. After an absence of 5 years, we had to get used to the local conditions and the daily heat of +/- 32 degrees again.

After several days of getting used to it, depending on appointments with the management of the primary, secondary and nursery schools, a schedule was drawn up of which projects would be the first to be covered. Arrangements also had to be made with various suppliers of necessary school supplies. 

Furthermore, the donation amount (euros) for the various projects had to be exchanged for the local currency (pesos) in order to obtain the highest possible exchange rate, we had to travel to Ilollo, a journey of 4 hours. On this occasion, various purchases were also made for various projects, including slippers and bags.

The 7th of April was Good Friday. On this day, a procession is held in Sebaste where a large number of carts are decorated with flowers and holy images. The procession with these handcarts takes place in the evening where young people help push the carts through the streets of Sebaste, and as a reward for their work, they receive a bowl of soup and rice cake, as a foundation we decided, through donation, to supplement this with a spaghetti meal. 

After the week of Easter, orders for school bags and materials could finally be placed, as well as buying 100 kg of rice and other food for the food parcels. The latter was very intensive because buying these had to be done in several places, some 15 km away. Finally, agreements could be made with the management of the secondary, primary and nursery schools as well as the local hospital.

Several photos were taken of our activities. 

Below is an overview of various projects or donations as mentioned above.

 

Project 1

On the 7th of April was the celebration of Good Friday with a large number of floats being driven through the city in the evening, which included a spaghetti meal for the young people as a finale. See photos here.

Project 2

On the 11th of April, we were invited by the management of St Blaise High School to distribute 30 school bags filled with school materials. With this donation, we were able to make 30 students happy, these are children whose parents have no support from abroad and whose school fees are quite an expense in their daily living.

Thanks to the school board of St Blaise High School Sebaste for making this an unforgettable day for the pupils and our foundation. View the photos here.

Project 3

On the 12th of April, we visited Sebaste Cenral School.

Here, too, 25 children were invited to receive a school bag with school materials, as a supplement we were able to distribute for a large number of children 1 pair of slippers which had been purchased in IloIlo. The sizes of several slippers were bought at random, these largely matched the foot size of most children, unfortunately, we had to disappoint several children on the day because the foot size did not match the size of the slippers. A teacher was kind enough to measure the foot size of these children and make a list of them, so several slippers had to be purchased (25 pairs) which could be bought in Kalibo (75 km drive). This day also ended with thanks and satisfaction. A Certificate of Recognition/Appreciation from both schools was presented to the Librada Foundation board as appreciation. View the photos here.

Project 4

A visit was also paid to the local hospital on the same day (April 12th). For this hospital 2 digital blood pressure meters were purchased as a donation, which were accepted with thanks by the person in charge. 

Project 5

On the 16th of April, we were able to invite 30 people to receive the food parcels whose contents included 3 kg of rice, tins of fish, cooking oil, coffee etc. For 1 person, who was in the last phase of her life, 2 cans of food supplements were bought which are very expensive to purchase ( P 2070 = 33,00 euros ).

Shopping for groceries took place over several days and in different places because not all the items needed for the packages were available in one place. Unfortunately, this also brought with it the cost of transportation.

Everyone accepted the bags with many thanks. (see photos)

Project 6

On April 17th, following a discussion with the management of St Blaise High School, it was decided to donate 7000 pesos = 114.00 euros. The amount has found its destination for the purchase of gym equipment, with thanks for this donation the amount has been received by the school board. 

Project 7

On 18 April, the board of Librada Foundation was invited by the management of the preschool daycare to visit the preschool. On this occasion, the foundation decided to provide 60 children with a meal consisting of spaghetti sandwiches, an unforgettable moment for the board to see how the children feasted on the unexpectedly offered meal which is not an everyday meal for them.

Some children decided to take the meal home to share with siblings.

Each child was also given a box of crayons and drawing materials.

The outcome of the projects mentioned

The Librada Foundation board can look back on implementing 7 successful projects for the residents of the town of Sebaste.

Thanks to the local volunteers for preparing said spaghetti meals, and sandwiches and putting together the contents of the food project. 

The execution of the said projects and the gratitude of the residents is an incentive for the foundation to continue such projects.

However, the Librada Foundation depends on donations from third parties beyond the contribution from private funds of the board. For those who read this report and would like to donate in the process, we refer them to the foundation's Bank number: 

NL65 INGB 0006 5500 36 tnv Stichting Librada

Hereby thanks to those who donated to our foundation which, also because of them, made the execution of the mentioned projects feasible. 

With kind regards,

The board of the Librada Foundation