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Visits to project sites figure prominently in the itinerary of Board Members whenever they come to the Philippines. They get to know how the project is going from leaders and staff of implementing partners. More importantly, they enjoy interacting with the children, women and families who are surprised, amazed, and cheered up by their smiles, warm handshakes and friendly greetings.

The first out-of-Manila program visit was at the Well Family Midwife Clinic in Barangay Agdao, one of 14 clinics in Davao City under the assistance of Kinasang-an Foundation, Inc, the program partner of Consuelo Foundation Philippine Branch (CFPB). Kinasang-an was contracted to conduct training on reproductive health to young couples and unmarried young people of reproductive age as well as provide them with Family Planning related services and commodities. The contract also requires Kinasang-an to do outreach work in several far flung villages.

Board Members and spouses Jeffrey and Lynn Watanabe, Bob and Jeanne Tsushima, Paddy and Heather Griggs, Alex Padilla, Don Layden, Jr. and Patti Lyons were oriented by Dr. Warlito Vicente (Chairman of Kinasang-an) and toured around the service areas of the clinic by outstanding clinic operator, Genevieve Berato, an enterprising midwife.

Accompanied by guest Jim Staub, Eunice and Tarek Azzani, Acting CEO San Vuong and CFPB’s Ray Dean Salvosa (Managing Director), Annette Chanco (Director for Administration), Fe R. Arriola (Director for Programs), Andy Moll (Program Manager), and Emma Ignacio (Program Specialists), the Board members and spouses proceeded to the Barangay Hall of Agdao where they were welcomed by the village captain, council leaders, young mothers with their babies and children. It was a joyful gathering organized by the community in appreciation of the services provided by this project of Consuelo Foundation with Kinasang-an Foundation.

Consuelo Foundation Board Members, spouses, guests and staff with officers of Kinasang-an Foundation and Project Beneficiaries

Next stop was at Dumaguete City. Board Member Connie Lau and spouse Russell, joined the rest of the Board, spouses, guests and staff for the blessing of the newly constructed Consuelo Home, a temporary shelter for former street boys under the management of CFPB’s long-time partner, the Little Children of the Philippines. A total of 23 young adolescent boys will soon move in their new home that has ample ground for sports and gardening. Nic Torre, Program Officer of CFPB oversees this project.

Patti Lyons, Jeffrey Watanabe and Glenna Waller at the ribbon cutting ceremony for

The program of activities at the project site also included the launching of a new mobile health clinic that was officially turned over by the Rotary Club of Honolulu (represented by Paddy Griggs) and Rotary Club of Dumaguete East (represented by its President, Alfredo Bustamante) to Leny Cuesta (President of FriendlyCare), Glenna Waller (President of LCPI) and Annette Chanco (CFPB Director for Administration). The mobile health clinic is now a part of the Reproductive Health project of Consuelo Foundation in Dumaguete City. Operated by FriendlyCare in collaboration with LCPI, the well equipped mobile clinic will enable the project to serve the most needy in areas beyond the city.

Board Members, spouses, guests, and staff also visited Rainbow Village, the Foundation’s partner on a caring facility for abandoned infants and toddlers. Program Director, Michael Yost, updated the group on their expanded operations that now include a temporary shelter for single young mothers.

Board Members Connie Lau and Don Layden, Jr. with Rainbow Village toddlers and caregiver

Diversity in religious and other cultural beliefs, unequal access to information, and wide disparity in educational attainment as well as access to health services are among the main causes of differences in opinion and behavior of Filipinos on RH-FP. Recent surveys however showed an increasing consensus on the need for RH-FP services.

Consuelo Zobel Alger, wanted her Foundation to provide the most needy with reproductive health services, including complete advice about contraceptives. Since the mid-90’s the Philippine Branch has been providing information, communication and education services on RH-FP and referral to qualified service providers. As an important vehicle for preventing child abuse and neglect, the Board recently decided to include the promotion of RH-FP as one of four strategic goals.

The invited discussants on RH-FP: Sister Nenita Tapia, Prof. Aleyssa Abdulkarim,

A conversation on RH-FP was organized as of way of getting everyone properly grounded on current thinking as well as practices in the Philippines. The panel of experts included Jaime Galvez-Tan (MD and international consultant on Health Policy Development), Junice Melgar (MD and Executive Director of Lihaan, a reproductive health advocacy org.), Aleyssa Abdulkarim (Ph.D. and Dean of the College of Social Work and Development at Western Mindanao State University), Sister Nenita Tapia (Maryknoll Missionary) and Felicitas Rixhon (Executive Director of the Philippine Center for Population and Development). The following perspectives were covered by the discussants: government policy, legislation, the Islamic view, the Catholic view anchored on conscience and the population management perspective.

Dr. Junice Melgar gave an update on the status of the Bill on Reproductive Health

It was advance Thanksgiving Day in November 24, 2009 when the newly renovated office areas of the Foundation’s branch office in Citibank Tower were blessed. Fr. Marciano “Rocky” Evangelista, founder and President of Tuloy Foundation, a long-time partner of Consuelo Foundation, officiated the blessing. A traditional Thanksgiving menu (yes, with baked turkey served with cranberry sauce) was served for lunch right after the blessing ceremony.

Consuelo Foundation Board Members and Acting CEO San Vuong with Fr. Rocky Evangelista

The renovation was preceded by a space utilization study. It resulted to new office spaces for staff of the Programs Department and the Managing Director. It also enabled the Foundation to offer the vacated areas to interested lessees.