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The Cartwheel Board and Management Team: Changes in 2004 and 2005
In August 2004, Gigi Go assumed the role as President when Founder Gina Alfonso left the country to study Art Therapy, but still remained as Cartwheel Board Member. Nanette Santos and Ria Nuñez became Vice President and Treasurer, respectively. Cartwheel also welcomed 2004 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee and indigenous peoples advocate Ben Abadiano as new Board Member.
In 2004, Carmen Villaseñor assumed the role vacated by Suzanne Alvarez as Executive Director,; Thea Quintos and Kay Mercado joined the team as consultants; Jesuit Volunteer Geraldine Belgica assumed the post vacated by Bing Pague as Program Officer for Scholarship.
In 2005, Resource Development Officer for Mindanao Mark Brazil and Program Officer for Basic Literacy Nikki Hipolito move on while Cartwheel scholar Eleneday Batistil assumes the role of Supervisor for Adult Literacy and Rojean Caharian becomes Executive Director.
The Volunteer Program re-launched; New venues for volunteerism
Cartwheel re-launched its Volunteer Program last May 28, 2006. Held at the CLC Center in Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, young professionals from various fields and students from Ateneo and Far-Eastern University attended the event. The Cartwheel Volunteer Program is designed to promote the diverse culture of the Filipino people and provide a venue for students and individuals to advocate the cause of the IPs.
The formation of Cartwheel Student Organization in Ateneo is part of Cartwheel’s effort to break through the academe. Campus exhibitions about IPs and other partnerships with student organizations in different schools and universities are also part of the overall advocacy effort. Presently, 15 passionate Ateneo students from different courses and year levels aim to make Cartwheel a recognized student organization in the University. In partnership with the British Embassy, Cartwheel witnessed the birth of the community library in Miarayon, Bukidnon. Construction was completed last July 2006 and was followed by its blessing on September 17. It stands within the campus of the parochial St. Therese of Miarayon High School, which was established as a partner in this project. As owners of the library, the community plays an active role in its management, promotion, and development as a cultural heritage center that facilitates the cultivation of their Tala-Andig roots. The community library looks forward to the involvement of the youth in deepening their understanding of their ancestry and being spearheads in its preservation.
7 new graduates from the scholarship program
Cartwheel joined in the celebration of five scholars in their triumph as college graduates. One from Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, four from Bukidnon State College, and two from Cagayan de Oro College. Paula Subala, Geneth Layocan, Grace Danio, Maricel Deconlay, Amy Jumamoy, Golde Badoles, and Annie Bahian proudly took their graduation march towards a fresh chapter of possibilities.
Shortly after graduating, Paula and Geneth joined the Pamulaan Center for Indigenous Peoples’ Education as Volunteer Programs Assistants. Their work includes guiding the new batch of scholars who are just like them when they first entered college. Grace renders her service to her hometown Miarayon as bookkeeper of the newly-opened Sta. Teresita of Miarayon Community School in Sitio Abel. Maricel served as Volunteer Program Assistant for Alternative Learning Sessions with Cartwheel. She along with her fellow Education graduates, Golde and Annie, and Amy still continue to be on the lookout for opportunities that allow them to be of service to their fellow lumads.
Cartwheel sincerely expresses its gratitude to the sponsors who have been instruments in making such stories possible. Adopting a scholar indeed means enabling lives with a sustainable future.
Pre-school alumni excel in elementary school
Last March 2006, 7 students from the first batch of the pre-school graduates of the Sta. Teresita Pre-Schools in Miarayon finished elementary school with honors. Among them were Nikki Sotto, awarded with 1st honors, and Jeward Sulatan and Aldrin Danio with 4th and 5th honors respectively. They are now enrolled in the parochial high school as first year students. This school year there are 92 students enrolled in the pre-schools.
Community library built in Miarayon, Bukidnon
In partnership with the British Embassy, Cartwheel witnessed the birth of the community library in Miarayon, Bukidnon. Construction was completed last July 2006 and was followed by its blessing on September 17. It stands within the campus of the parochial St. Therese of Miarayon High School, which was established as a partner in this project. As owners of the library, the community plays an active role in its management, promotion, and development as a cultural heritage center that facilitates the cultivation of their Tala-Andig roots. The community library looks forward to the involvement of the youth in deepening their understanding of their ancestry and being spearheads in its preservation.
The Volunteer Program re-launched; New venues for volunteerism
Cartwheel re-launched its Volunteer Program last May 28, 2006. Held at the CLC Center in Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, young professionals from various fields and students from Ateneo and Far-Eastern University attended the event. The Cartwheel Volunteer Program is designed to promote the diverse culture of the Filipino people and provide a venue for students and individuals to advocate the cause of the IPs.
The formation of Cartwheel Student Organization in Ateneo is part of Cartwheel’s effort to break through the academe. Campus exhibitions about IPs and other partnerships with student organizations in different schools and universities are also part of the overall advocacy effort. Presently, 15 passionate Ateneo students from different courses and year levels aim to make Cartwheel a recognized student organization in the University.
Cartwheel has acquired more venues to promote its volunteer opportunities through two institutions: Exchange Arena and the Jesuit Volunteers Philippines’ Padagos Progam where Cartwheel is an accredited organization.
Partnership with UNDP
ILAWAN Center for Volunteer and Leadership and partners Cartwheel and Tugdaan in Paitan, Mindoro, received a P1.8M grant from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) through their Conflict Prevention and Peace Building Programme, for the Livelihood Assistance for Indigenous Communities in Conflict Areas of Mindoro. The project contributes to the goal of reducing the level of violent conflict as well as foster human security and the culture of peace.
The project offers peace education sessions and production of virgin coconut oil and will assist the Mangyans of Paitan in making theirs a peace-building and sustainable community, able to manage local peace and development plans.
Unionbank supports the Coinbank Project
Unionbank of the Philippines became an official partner of Cartwheel in the Cartwheel Coinbank Projetc. During the period of December 2005 to January 2006, Unionbank mounted the Coinbanks in all its 66 branches in Metro Manila and Cagayan de Oro City
