ERDA Foundation Home Page U.S.A.

According to recent statistics of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), for every 100 children who attend Grade 1, only 67 of them finish Grade VI. While public elementary education is free and constitutionally mandated as compulsary, many school children still drop out and consequently fail to complete the six year elementary education program. A study by the World Bank cited that one major cause of pupil drop out is the inability of parents to meet the "hidden costs" of education like expenses for school supplies, uniforms, bags, shoes and school allowance. Many pupils leave school when their can no longer afford to pay for these "hidden costs".

In response to these prevailing problems in education, the Educational Research and Development Assistance (ERDA) Foundation, Inc. was etablished to provide educational opportunities to the socially and economically disadvantaged children. ERDA is a private service-oriented foundation established to promote educational, social, spiritual and economic growth in empoverished areas of the Philippines.

ERDA was started in September, 1974 by Fr. Pierre Tritz, SJ, a French born Jesuit who is now a FIlipino citizen. It works closely with the DECS and is an accredited and licensed agency of the Bureau of Child and Youth Welfare of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

As a human development organization, ERDA envisions a nation where all children are able to avail of educational opportunities that can prepare them adequately or life. As such, ERDA's life purpose is to empower the socially and economically disadvantaged children, youth, women. families and communities towards human development.

A dynamic, responsive and competent human development organization commited to pursuing development efforts and opportunities to provide a brighter future for the disadvantaged children and youth of this coumtry.

ERDA Foundation recognizes specific educational needs of children and addresses these by providing school materials,finances and other support service. The EAP covers the Preschool, Elementaqry, High School and some special case college students.

This targets the well-being of the children and their families while at the same time, selected community leaders undergo training which may qualify them to become Community Health Workers in their own communities.

This focuses on small or micro-business ventures that may provide sources of income to assisted families. Under a Socialized Credit System, families are given the opportunity to become economically self-reliant.

This provides value formation and leadership training for the youth, interested community members and leaders. Upon request, ERDA offers basic Christian Formation, Catechetical Instructions, Bible Leaders' Training, Retreats and Recollections.

Erda has a Production Center that prepares the required school uniforms and bags for the beneficiaries. The Center makes products for the foundation's income generation and engages in contracting ventures as part of its institution building activities.

The Tuklasan Center (Tuklas, Kalinga, Laruan, Aralan at Sanayan) provides temporary shelter, basic necessities and counceling for a limited number of streetchildren in Metro Manila.

The SABANA (Sanayan ng mga batang Nananambakan) is a development center for child scavengers where they learn and earn for through safer and more creative alternatives.

The ECPSR project primarily aims to increase the participation of children in local government and the legislative process. In carrying out the project, ERDA works with Children's Christian Fund, Plan International and World Vision Development Foundation.

Alvin Tejada, a resident of Davila, Navotas, was working for a big construction company in Makati. At the same time he was reviewing for his board examination for Architects. Due to his strong desire to pass the exams, he devoted all of his time for the review and had to give up his job. The company agreed to take him back upon completion of his review.

Very fortunately, Alvin passed the board examinations. He is now a full-pledged architect. For Alvin, it was a dream realized. "As I carve my own life, I keep looking back for the people that paved my way. Our life as a family slowly changes before my eyes", says Alvin.

Rosemarie Novabos is a high school teacher in Cebu City. Presently she helps her family by sharing certain financial support especially for the educational needs of her younger siblings. Her family used to earn a meager income through iron and wood works and her parents' small 'sari-sari' store. The family's living condition gradually improves through concerted efforts and perseverance.

Rowena Belleza, a Political Science graduate, is a LEARN Educator at Sanayan ng mga Batang Nananambakan (SABANA) Center, a special project of ERDA in Vitas, Tondo, Manila. Rowena teaches and helps rehabilitate former child scavengers. In the past, Rowena used to be a child scavenger herself. But her family's interest in giving her an education together with the help of generous individuals, her life slowly changed for the better.

Alvin, Rosemarie and Rowena are just three among the thousands of children ERDA Foundation has helped make a difference in life through education.

There are many children out there just waiting to be reached, to be given the opportunity to discover and develop their talents and natural gifts. Let us give them the chance of a lifetime. Let us educate a child and save a man.

Aware of the urgent educational needs of the underpriveldged but deserving children, ERDA Foundation lacks the sufficient resources to fully address the problem. With some 400,000 students dropping out every school year, ERDA is faced with a task beyond its present means. Hence the foundation appeals to you for help in any of the following ways:

Preschool level - P32,000.00 per class (at least 25 children per class) or US $800.00