Parent Participation

It's important to remember that Her Star Scholars works hard to promote self-esteem among all recipients. One way we do this is by asking that the parents be active participants in the program. In the Philippines parents attend educational workshops, volunteer time to help at the school for several hours each month, and see that their children are arriving on time at school with homework completed.  In Guatemala parents are asked to attend quarterly meetings, encourage the children in their school work, and this past year the mothers made small weavings for donors.  Because the program in Burkina Faso is so new Her Star is evaluating the best way to include parents as active participants. Currently parents are being asked to allow their children to attend daily school and have them complete their homework.

We want families to know they play a central role in the success of the programs which we offer.

Learning Doesn't End In Childhood

The first week of September was the first parent's educational program of the year in the Philippines.  Edgardo, who is a volunteer with Her Star Scholars, as well as being a social worker, gave the presentation.

There was a period of letting parents get to know one another. Then Edgardo talked about effective approaches to disciplining children followed by time for the parents talk and ask questions.

In the afternoon the discussion turned to the topic of domestic abuse. Many of the mothers were surprised to learn that there were laws saying that their husbands could not hit them or the children. He provided women in crisis with options for help and free counseling.

It costs $50 to hold a parents meeting. That provides money for lunch for all of the participants, plus  rental of a screen, projector, and computer. The mothers so appreciated this meeting that they are asking Edgardo to lead as many classes as possible. We're hoping he can lead monthly meetings.

Although this meeting had primarily mothers attending, they women left assuring Edgardo that next time the fathers would attend as well.

Can you help support the parents' educational sessions? Consider giving $50 which can provide vital education for families and provide safer, more enriching home environments for the children.

Wanted: Santas and Elves!

The children we work  with in the Philippines don't get gifts - not on birthdays and not for Christmas. 

We hoped to fix that this year by shipping clothes and toys to the children. Enough so that parents could provide a gift for each child in the family.

Then we ran in to a snag. Our head Christmas Elf got sick and couldn't organize the program. We have no presents! We need to send 200 gifts for children ages birth-16 by mid September.

We need items for both boys and girls. Kids' clothing and shoes (remember this is a tropical climate so no winter items please), hair clips and bows, purses and backpacks. Dolls - preferably Asian or with dark hair, UNO, stuffed animals, toy cars, baby toys, legos, Harry Potter books or related items always a good bet for older kids, coloring books and crayons...Nothing that uses batteries or electricity, nothing that is illegal to ship through the mail (perfumes, nail polish), nothing that could spill or melt, nothing that promotes violence please the Philippines has seen more than its share of violence (no tanks, toy guns, soldiers). 

In December the volunteers in the Philippines will set up a toy store. Parents will be able to purchase an item for each of their children for only 1 or 2 pesos - about the equivalent of 3 cents. We are asking the parents to buy the items for several reasons: 

• We want them to feel a sense of pride for being able to provide special things for their children.
• We want the children to know that their parents can provide special things for them. 
• We want parents to feel like they are participating in the program as equals and not victims.   

If there are any prospective Santas or Elves, hiding out there looking for an exciting project to take on really quickly, please contact Julie at info @ herstarscholars. org. I can arrange pick-ups or drop off areas in Ithaca/Corning/Elmira, Pittsburgh and possibly the Washington DC area. For others I can provide a shipping address in California.  For more details or a copy of the toy store project proposal feel free to contact Her Star Scholars. 

I want everyone to know that the funds for shipping these items to the Philippines are not coming from any general donations we have received. All of that goes directly to the programming for the children. One generous donor has offered money specifically for the shipping. 

Malnutrition in the Philippines

Many of the children in our program in the Philippines are malnourished. We hope to fund a daily lunch program that will ensure all of the children one healthy meal each day. Donations to the food budget are always welcome.

Meanwhile, we try attempt to supply the families of the most seriously malnourished children with daily vitamins and nutrient rich formula prescribed by a local pediatrician. It's hard to only help a small handful of children with these extra nutrients, but we work within our budget to make the most impact we can.

Special Dangers Face Poor and Uneducated Girls

The BBC today covered a story about 2 Swedish men who have been arrested and given life sentences in the Philippines for running an  internet pornography ring. This particular operation was not far from the city in the Philippines where Her Star Scholars is sending girls to school.

Rampant poverty and girls with no schooling or hope for employment create a dangerous situation where girls of all ages are vulnerable to abuse. Parents are often convinced that they are sending their girls to work in respectable high-paying jobs in other cities.

Arrests over internet pornography

An important part of the Her Star Scholars model is to educate the parents to the dangers their daughters may face. Social workers familiar with the risks that these girls face talk with the parents one-on-one and explain the different types of scams that are operating locally as well as talking about abuse faced by  overseas workers. Girls are taught how to protect themselves and how to seek help in dangerous or scary situations.

Education of the girls in the Philippines and the around the world provides them with the self-esteem needed to be willing to stand-up for and protect themselves.