This is a primer of Project BLESS. This is why we’re going to do this and how we’re going to do this. And we would love it if you would be part of it.
1. THE PROBLEM IF PEOPLE CAN’T READ.
The cycle is too obvious to ignore. Crime rate is largely attributed to poverty. The many criminals we see are from poor family who have opted to do crimes to have a means for living. And poverty is largely attributed to lack of education. The lack of education limits people to have better opportunities to improve the quality and the condition of their life. A lot of Filipinos cannot afford education even from the elementary level. Thus the cycle of crime, poverty and illiteracy just keeps going and getting worse. What’s really worse is that we as a nation would barely make any progress at all.
2. THE PROBLEM IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM
I don’t need to point out that there is a flaw in the education system. We have been producing graduates after graduates in the college level who can’t read properly. And the same is true in the high school level. And when you look at what is going on in the elementary level, there is not enough quality education given to the students to be able to read properly. We have overcrowded students, dismal learning environments, and underpaid and overworked teachers. Education is taken for granted and we just allow passing students with or without them learning properly.
The Department Education has just made it mandatory for a child to an additional two years to address the deteriorating quality of education while slashing the budget for education. How ironic!
3. THE SOLUTION
Education starts with the child learning how to read. If we ever want to produce children who will be this and the next generation leaders they simply need to learn to read. In the days of old the responsibility of teaching the child to read was with the parents. By the time you reach the first grade it is expected that you can already read. This is not happening right now. Have some quality education at the basic where a child can read. If we can teach children to read – the possibilities will be endless for what the child can become and accomplish.
4. PROJECT BLESS – THE READING INITIATIVE
BLESS or Basic Life Empowerment and Support Services was conceptualized to address the educational needs of the indigent Filipino children, whose families cannot afford to send them to school. It helps children early in life with a solid phonetic approach to reading and century old values based learning methods that will guide them toward a life of fulfillment and impact. It is designed to nurture the character and stimulate the mental capability that will bring the future into a reality as each child finds their unique place in God’s grand scheme of life. It is offered as a FREE program for children who will qualify for the project. The child doesn’t have to pay for anything for the next 18-20 weeks.
The Host will shoulder all necessary expenses so that the child may be able to read to better equip him as he face life.
5. WHO QUALIFIES FOR PROJECT BLESS?
The following are the qualifications for a child to be part of Project BLESS.
Children ages 5-8 only
Indigent. Parents cannot afford to send him to school
Out of school. Has already studied but poverty kept him out of school.
Passed the Reading Readiness Test.
Parent agrees with the terms and conditions of Project BLESS
6. HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
For the child – absolutely FREE. The child will not pay a single centavo. It will be the host who will run the Project BLESS that will shoulder all cost for the child. One run/cycle of Project BLESS can cost P50,000.00 to P70,000.00 for the 5 months depending on location and resources available for the host. The host will cover many items such as transportation, meals, school supplies, snacks, medicines, and other overhead expenses. The child need not be burdened with anything that’s why the host would have to do everything. It seems expensive but when you talk of the life of the child – it will all be worth it!
6. HOW CAN I HELP?
a. Sponsor a child for the next five months worth P1,000.00 ($25.00). You can give it in installment within four months. You can also give a one-time financial support to any amount you desire.
b. Promote Project BLESS to other people or organization who may be interested to support initiatives like this.
c. Give in kind. It will help lessen the cost. We will need rice, juice, biscuits, soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, towel, medicines, and clothing.
d. Volunteer. We need assistants that will serve as cooks, servers, assistant to the teacher, and as an older brother/sister for the kids.
7. WHEN WILL IT START?
Project BLESS Dagupan will open on August 1, 2011.
8. WHO CAN WE CONTACT?
Pastor Jonathan Tamondong–Full Life Baptist Fellowship Dagupan.
Email Add: athan_dfreak@yahoo.com
or visit us at:
Full Life Baptist Fellowship, Inc.
272 Tapuac District, Dagupan City, Philippines
(Across Lyceum Northwestern University, right after Dagupan Astrodome)
9. WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?
We simply cannot afford NOT to. With the crime rate increasing every day and with poverty widening the gap, we can no longer sit back and watch people be a victim of crime or each child remains illiterate because they were never given a chance. Each child deserves a chance to have a better life. Project BLESS is our way of showing how much we love this country and how much we long to see a generation of leaders that will build this country. But most of all, it’s our commitment to God to serve Him among the least.
We have been to two communities teaching and feeding children. Project BLESS brings it to a step higher as we would help kids to read at all cost. It will be expensive but God will provide. It will be hard but we know the risks if we don’t. Teaching children to read should start NOW!
There’s too much at stake for a child not to read!
TEACH A CHILD TO READ. EDUCATE HIM FOR LIFE! BUILD A NATION!