According to recent statistics of the Department of Education Culture and Sports (DECS), for every 100 children who enter Grade 1, only 67 of them finish Grade VI. While public elementary education is free and constitutionally mandated as compulsory, 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 the 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 parents can no longer afford to pay for these "hidden costs".
Response to a Need
In response to these prevailing problems in education, the Educational Research and Development Assistance (ERDA) Foundation, Inc. was established 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 impoverished areas of the Philippines. ERDA was started in September 1974 by Fr. Pierre Tritz, S.J. 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 (DSWD).
Life Purpose
As a human development organization, ERDA envisions a nation where all children are able to avail of educational opportunities that can prepare them adequate for life. As such, ERDA's life purpose is to empower the socially and economically disadvantaged children, youth, women, families and communities towards human development.
Mission
· To facilitate the entry and re-entry of drop-outs and late enrollees into the school system and maintain them in school until their families are able to support them; · To create and sustain responsive, integrative and effective programs and services to disadvantaged sectors;
· To organize, expand and transform families and communities
towards self-management and interdependence;
· To enable and insure organizational viability and sustainability;
· To uphold and enhance professional competence and multi-disciplinary
collaboration;
· To establish, expand and strengthen linkages and network for
mutual support and collaboration;
· To advocate socio-economic, political and ecological issues
affecting particularly children, youth, women and families through
research, alternative education and training and other strategies.
Programs and Services
Educational Assistance Program
ERDA Foundation recognizes specific educational needs of children
and addresses these by providing school materials, finances and other
support services. The EAP covers the Preschool, Elementary, high
School and some Special Case College students.
Health Program
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 respective
communities.
Livelihood Program
This focuses on small or micro-business ventures that may provide
sources of income to the assisted families. Under a Socialized Credit
System, families are given the opportunity to become economically
self-reliant.
Continuing Education Program
This provides value formation and leadership training for the youth
interested community members and leaders. Upon request, ERDA offers
Basic Christian Formation, Catechetical Instruction, Bible Leaders' Training
Retreats and Recollections.
Production Center
ERDA has a Production Center that prepares the required school uniforms
and bags of the beneficiaries. The Center makes products for the
foundation's income generation and engages in contracting ventures as part
of its institution-building activities.
Special Projects
TUKLASAN Center
The TUKLASAN Center (Tuklas, Kalinga, laruan, Aralan at Sanaya) provides
temporary shelter, basic necessities and counseling for a limited number
of streetchildren in Metro Manila.
SABANA
The SABANA (Sanayan ng mga Batang Nananambakan) is a development center
for child scavengers where they learn and earn through safer and more
creative alternatives.
Expanding Children's Participation
in Social Reform (ECPSR)
The ECPSR project primarily aims to increase the participation of
children in local governance and the legislative process. In carrying
out the project, ERDA works with Christian Children's Fund, Plan
International and World Vision Development Foundation.
Help Us Help!
Aware of the urgent educational needs of the underprivileged
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 to help
in any of the following ways:
Sponsor children to go back and be maintained in school:
Preschool level - P 2,000 per class (at least 25 children per class)
or US$ 800.00
Elementary level - P 1,500 per child
or US$ 37.50
High School level - Academic - P 2,500 per child
or US$ 62.50
Vocational/Technical - sponsorship c/o ERDA Tech Foundation, Inc.
· Donate school materials, books or clothing.
· Sponsor any of ERDA's projects or programs.
For more information, please call, write or visit us at: