In praise of Plan Philippines'

In the three years that we have seen them on the ground, we have proved to ourselves that the people running Plan Philippines are modern day missionaries for the Filipino child and his community.From the country director to the most humble community worker, the zeal is infectious, the selflessness, unparalleled.

Yet they all do their work with hardly any fanfare, ensuring that the most deprived child in the communities where they operate is served well.What struck us in recent visits to Plan communities in the poorest areas of the Visayas was that there were a lot of men in positions traditionally occupied by women in other NGOs. In fact, gender is Wholesale Handbags never an issue at Plan, the organization being a vocal advocate for gender equality. It does not matter whether a man or woman is the supervisor or manager, or rides a motorbike. They both keep long hours with nary a complaint that they are spending more time with children other than their own.Real heroesOne late night last week, Elvie Subang quietly and dutifully wrapped up her work in Liloan, South Leyte before she motored to her home about an hour away. She had to be absent the next day: her own child was rushed to the hospital because of convulsions. Even at the hospital, Subang kept in constant touch with her colleagues, passing instructions while anxiously looking after her four-year-old.A program unit manager, Erly Ocasiones, is the picture of calm and confidence, despite the crutches she depends on to keep mobile. Her physical condition, brought about a few years ago when she met a motorbike accident while on field duty, is not a handicap to Erly. She makes sure people remember her disarming smile, not her disability. She awes mothers in communities at what she can do despite the crutches. Victims of recent typhoons in Bicol and Rizal were sexy lingerie dumbfounded seeing her lead the relief and reconstruction efforts in their communities, so displaced children can bounce back to normalcy faster.The way Plan employees make a fuss over children is a sight to behold. Sincerity is palpable and there is no effort to impress. Media is never around to cover what they do and they have chosen to brave the most deprived communities where no NGO operates.They have phased out their Pangasinan and Bicol operations after they saw that the communities they served can already stand on their own. The lovely island of Camotes, two hours by pumpboat from Cebu mainland, will soon bid goodbye to Plan after it has transformed the place from a decrepit island to one of promise and development.Totch dela Cruz gave up a rising career in public education after witnessing what greater difference his grassroots involvement with Plan could do. He toiled hard for years, bringing with him the culture of meticulous efficiency and sacrifice. Today, he juggles time among challenging administrative matters, an ailing family patriarch, a smart son who seems inclined to follow his footsteps and a 24/7 advocacy that keeps him miles away from his family for days on end. Asked how he manages to keep his composure despite the kilometers of difficult travel and gargantuan work pressures, Totch beams with pride and gratitude: "Serving my fellowman is the best psychic income one can ever get."The scores of schools and waterworks systems Plan has built in their many areas to help children and their families are testament to the organization's desire to help without fame or favor. A school building can be constructed with only P800,000, replete with adequate ventilation, safety provisions and segregated, working toilets for boys and girls and school supplies and desks thrown in for good measure. (We found that a building of similar structure and features erected by government would cost triple!)Plan is too busy with work in the grassroots that trumpeting their achievemenReplica Watches
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