Brief History and Background of Health for all
Foundation, Inc. (Programme Margarita)
Vision
Our vision is Well being of every Family and Community served
Mission
Our mission is to organize and strengthen human institutions; Damayan groups,
community cooperative, community based people’s organization towards Social
movement
Programme Margarita, which used to be known as Project Margarita, traces its roots to
a community epidemic (Measles) in the hinterlands of Capas, Tarlac. The near absence of a
health care delivery system for the Aeta indigenous communities in the remote settlements
around Mount Pinatubo--a volcano that erupted in June 12, 1991--dawned on the medical
group while battling the outbreak.
It started particularly focusing on the major issue which is health giving particular
emphasis on the situation of the Aeta community after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. Basic
health services were provided and delivered to the remote area, however due to lack of
knowledge and trust some resisted and did not avail any of the services being given. But with
the persistence and courage of the people behind Programme Margarita, there was gradual
change of perception among the tribal people.
Starting out as community health project, Programme Margarita evolved into an
integrated area development programme that addresses the socio-economic determinants of
health. It was realized that health will not be enough if the people particularly the children will
have no formal education as they grow. Illiteracy among elderly is prevalent and lack
knowledge of their rights and ability as well. Due to lack of knowledge these marginalized
people experience some exploitation from the people living in lowland. They were not given
equal chance of developing their lives in many ways. Programme Margarita is guided by a
framework that integrates the interventions of health, education, poverty reduction and the
stewardships and sustainable development and protection of the environment.
Leadership
and
Governance
Education
and Capacity
building
Partner Families
Organized and
Strengthened
towards a
People’s
Organization
Poverty
Reduction
Health and
Sanitation
Sustainable
Stewardship
of the
Environment
2. Programme Margarita is now focusing on four (5) aspects of human development. These are
Education and Capacity Building, Health and Sanitation, Poverty Reduction, Sustainable
Stewardship and Leadership and Governance. To deal with all these strategies, there were
activities being implemented to address the issues.
A. Education and Capacity Building
 Sponsorship Program is being given to children attending in public schools in
rural and marginalized areas. At present there were 1400 sponsored children
from the 13 different Aeta and non-Aeta settlements
 Children were given school uniforms, school supplies, payment of the school
fees, conditional food basket every month, graduation funds, family benefits.
 Conditional Food Basket is provided for them every month in exchange with
some conditions that the family should comply with.
 Youth Leadership Formation and Youth Camp for the sponsored children
particularly high school children
 Youth hostel Formation for Aeta high school students
 2 years vocational courses after high school
B. Health and Sanitation
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Medical and Dental Check up, eye screening and Circumcision
Maternal and Child Health care
Community Service or Clean up drive of the damayan
Health Center Visit
Seminars on Natural Family Planning
Trainings and Seminars for Community Health Volunteers
Construction of community toilet for indigenous peoples areas
C. Poverty reduction
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Farm Production Assistance
Livestock production
Carabao and goat Dispersal
Root crops production
Credit Assistance for farming production activities
D. Sustainable Development, Leadership and Governance
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Damayan Family Formation
Cooperative Development
Basic Community Organizing Training and Seminar
Damayan Core Group Organizing for People’s Organization formation
Rainforestation
Case Study: The formation of “Damayan” is what we called small self-help group was one of
the high lights or success of Program Margarita. As of now we have 80 small self help groups,
compose of 15 to 20 parents who play an important role in governance and sustainability of
leadership. Each damayan comprises of 3 elected leaders that will act as the focal persons in
every program. They are the Damayan Coordinator, Education Coordinators and Health
Coordinator who in particular plays an important role in the delivery of health services and
information to the different areas particularly among IP’s and marginalized. Each of these
leaders has their own role and responsibilities depending on their area of expertise. They were
organized and trained in order build their self-confidence, self-esteem and independence. They
are gathered at least once a month to provide them information of the agenda to be given to the
damayan members. They will then conduct meeting in their area with minimum assistance
from the staff. They are also being thought on how to collaborate and integrate to the different
sectors such as health, church and schools. In this manner they will be able to deal and talk to
different people and let them decide for their members as well. As of now, we have health
volunteers who are also working as Barangay health workers at the Rural Health Unit of their
area. They were selected and chosen right after they finished the 14 weeks trainings on
different Basic health program conducted in partnership with the Provincial Health Office. It
was also a privilege and honor that from of these health workers, one of the major event of the
Department of Health conducted and launched in our area which is “Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan”
last March 3, 2011 most of our health volunteers were utilized during the program. It was a
two day health activities providing basic health services to Aeta families of all ages. There were
health classes on breastfeeding, family planning, pre-natal consultation, medical and dental
check-ups, feeding program, medical consultation and immunization of children 0-5 years old.
From then on, our health volunteers were given task by the local government unit to
participate in any activity providing basic health services in all areas that they were needed.
Neren is 37 years plain housewife before she became part of Programme Margarita. Her
husband works as a construction worker in Manila and goes home every two weeks. She has a
child name Arbie 10 years old and in grade 4 and was been our sponsored child for 4 years.
Neren’s nature is a typical mother who stays at home and does household chores and attends to
the needs of her child. She is very shy and does not want to mingle and be with other people
except her neighbors and relatives. When she joined the sponsorship of Program Margarita
through her son, she was elected as Community health volunteer worker from the Damayan,
since then Neren’s life changes gradually. When she joined the health volunteer work she
became active and became friendlier. She even involved herself in civic action in the barangay
and almost all health trainings and seminars in the health center provided by the government
she is present. Up to now she is an active member of Barangay Health Worker and providing
health classes to during her duty at the health center.
3.
Planning is an important factors in achieving and implementation of all the strategies
and activities. We are making a regular consultation to the partner families before deciding
“what to do?” this is basically important for us to know what the people need and what has to
be done to address the need. As a basic health care provider attending to the needs of the
community I think that being with the people and living with the people is very much
important. Therefore some strategies and approaches are being done to ensure the development
of health seeking behavior, sustainability of resources, education and environmental welfare of
every people in the rural and marginalized areas. My commitment to my work was been tested
already from the past and is still been challenge by the new task and role given to me. But I am
not doing any of this for a single person or purpose, but for all the community that we are
serving and who in one way or the other shown their trust and confidence in what we can give
and advocate for them. Therefore, I want to impart or share our Guiding philosophy which I
believe is essential in reminding us of our commitment and dedication to our work.
By: Dr. Y.C YEN
Go to the people,
Live among the people,
Learn from themPlan with them
Start with what they know
Build on what they have
Teach by showing, learn by doing
Not a showcase but a pattern
Not odds and ends but a system
Not piecemeal but integrated approach
Not to conform but to transform
Not relief but release
(Pictures will be provided for visualization)
Feeding Program in one of our area
The team behind the success of LBK………
Bus of Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan Caravan ( Donated by: Philippine Rabbit Bus Co.)
Health Classes on Pre-natal and Post natal care
Health Classes regarding proper Nutrition and food handling
Health Classes; some campaign materials were being presented and explained by the health
volunteers
Play Area for Children while waiting for their parents and for consultation
Health Classes provided by the Community Health Volunteers
Government, Non-Government and Private Sectors joined the Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan Program Of
Department of Health