Futbol Funatics and Dance Basics give Mano Amiga students a chance to pursue Arts and Sports

Most parents enroll their kids in sports and art programs because the children learn essential lessons that would benefit them all throughout their life: leadership and time management skills, increased self-esteem and confidence, and good values namely teamwork, discipline, and respect.

Studies show that these activities have an even greater impact on the lives of economically disadvantaged children. Making team sports and performing arts accessible to at-risk youth led to improved over-all academic performance, lower drop- out rates, and decreased occurrence of emotional and behavioral problems. Unfortunately, the children who need these programs the most are the ones least likely to get them.

Mano Amiga Academy has partnered with the founders of Futbol Funatics and Dance Basics to help give poor but deserving students an opportunity to pursue their interest in arts and sports.

Football Fridays

Futbol Funatics’ (http://www.futbolfunatics.com/) first encounter with Mano Amiga students was a year ago when the group decided to hold a one-day outreach camp in the school. Founder and Head Coach Candice Grey-del Rosario remembers vividly how the students had zero knowledge about football at that time, “Most of them did not know any other sport apart from basketball. At first, all they wanted to do was dribble the ball using their hands. After a few exercises, the students fell in love with the sport and tried their best to apply defense tactics and score goals.”

Coach Candice and her co-founder Coach Avery del Rosario felt that playing football would teach Mano Amiga students valuable lessons that would help them reach their future endeavors. They decided to offer free, regular classes in the school to broaden the students’ exposure to football. Every Friday, Futbol Funatics takes over the PE classes and holds different fun drills to introduce the students to the fundamentals of the game.

“It never ceases to move me whenever I see them get so excited in class. We are committed to providing these children with an enriching experience that would impact their lives in the same way football did for us,” Coach Candice shared.

Ballet Saturdays

Dance Basics (http://dancebasics.wordpress.com/) was founded in 2004 by ballerina sisters Nesa Tanyag and Trina Tanyag-Zafra. What was originally a school with only one class grew fast into a school offering four levels. The two sisters approached Mano Amiga because they wanted to extend their love for dancing to underprivileged children.

“We have always wanted to make ballet more accessible to children who cannot afford to pay the high cost of training,” Teacher Nesa said. “We chose the Mano Amiga community because we saw how eager the children are about learning new things as well as the parents’ desire to give their family a better life.

Dance Basics now holds free ballet lessons in Mano Amiga on Saturday mornings. There are 40 students enrolled in the class. The most promising students will be awarded with dance scholarships for a more intensive training.

Other students of Dance Basics have also been helping out by serving as teachers’ assistants. Some of the students also donated their old (but not worn out) ballet shoes, tights, and leotards so the Mano Amiga students could have the proper attire.

“Our company has been so blessed and we are thankful for the opportunity to share those blessings with the Mano Amiga students.,” Coach Nessa said. “We believe that Ballet will be a good learning experience for the children, and hopefully, pave the way for educational and career opportunities in the future,” Ms. Tanyag added.

The Mano Amiga parents have expressed their gratitude to the school and the two organizations for offering football and ballet classes in Mano Amiga because they know these are opportunities their children would not normally have access to due to financial constraints.

“Akala ko po sa panaginip lang posible na makapag-aral ang anak ko ng ballet o kaya football,” Grade 1 parent Marlyn Nieva said. “Talagang malaki po ang pasasalamat namin na nabigyan kami ng ganitong pagkakataon. Nagsisikap kaming bigyan ng mas magandang kinabukasan ang aming mga anak upang hindi masayang ang mga paghihirap ng Mano Amiga at ng lahat nang mga taong tumutulong sa amin.”

(I thought that my child would never have access to ballet or football lessons, except in my dreams. We are all very grateful to have been given this opportunity. We are working hard to give our kids a brighter future because we do not want to waste the efforts of Mano Amiga and the other people helping us.)

A Magical Day

Living Dreams, an international organization that aims to help ease the plight of underprivileged children, recently gave the Mano Amiga students and community kids an early Christmas gift by bringing them Enchanted Kingdom amusement park for a day of fun and magic.

The 120 beneficiaries were accompanied by their volunteer Ate and Kuya as they spent an entire day exploring the different rides, and trying out the different food stalls. The kids loudly expressed their amazement as they experienced riding the carousel, flying swings, and water rides for the first time.

What made the day even more magical for the children was the special visit they received from the different mascots including some cuddly dinosaurs, a famous wizard and a lovely princess.

"We believe that Mano Amiga Academy is making a genuine difference in the lives of these children," Living Dreams Chair Cristina Yambao said. "We hope that through this field trip, the students would feel even more inspired to go to school and take advantage of the wonderful opportunity they have been given so that they could have a brighter future."

For more info on Living Dreams Philippines, please visit:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=428038763439&oid=62689578190

Give a gift that gives twice!

It is quite difficult to give a gift to the people we know who seem to have everything they need. Show your loved ones how much your care for them by helping a child fulfil his dreams.

Mano Amiga Academy is selling In lieu of Gift cards. Each all-purpose gift card contains a message explaining that a donation has been made in the recipient’s name in lieu of traditional gifts. The amount donated is not indicated. The cards feature special portraits of the Mano Amiga students taken by well-known Filipino photographer Mr. Jun de Leon, who volunteered his services for free. Proceeds from the card will go to the Mano Amiga Academy Scholarship fund. For orders, you may get in touch with Ms. Lynn Pinugu at 09063361663 or at lpinugu@altius.org

For those who want to get a head start on their Christmas shopping, complete your gift list by giving Christmas Cards produced by Picture Company. Instead of a gift, give your family and friends an Idream Christmas card and help a Mano Amiga scholar continue his schooling. The cards could be personalized; it could feature your company logo, personal message, family crest, etc. Pre-order now and get it after 14 days. Pickup and payment could be in any Picture company branch.

For orders/inquiries, kindly email: advocacyorders@idream.org.ph or call 756-0020 (Greenbelt 5 branch)

Mano Amiga celebrates Buwan ng Wika month

August was an exciting month for Mano Amiga Academy as the school celebrated Buwan ng Wika for the first time. The Mano Amiga staff worked with the parents and volunteers in coming up with different activities that help build awareness and instill love for Philippine culture.

Throughout the month of August, culture appreciation was integrated into Mano Amiga's classroom activities by introducing the students to different local customs and traditions, as well as important events in Philippine history.

Mano Amiga included the whole community in the festivities by organizing a Youth Sports Tournament featuring traditional Filipino games.

The Buwan ng Wika month culminated with a program featuring performances from the students and parents of the different types of folk dance. After the show, the community feasted on different local delicacies donated by the Mano Amiga faculty and some of the families.

"Buwan ng Wika is an important school event because it serves as a good opportunity for us to nurture the children's love and appreciation for our culture, specially the Filipino language," Principal Rev Tria-Siasoyco said. "Developing a strong sense of country among our students is something we try to integrate in our activities all throughout the year to help them become productive citizens who are proud of their rich culture and heritage."

Western Union Global President and CEO Christina Gold visits Mano Amiga Academy

Western Union President and CEO Christina Gold accompanied by Drina Yue, Senior VP and Managing Director of WU Asia Pacific; Patricia Riingen, Senior Vice President of WU Pacific Indo-China; and Lorenzo Ocampo, President and CEO of PETNET Inc, recently visited Mano Amiga Academy to meet with the PETNET-Western Union scholars.

In 2008, PETNET and Western Union Foundation provided Mano Amiga with a $50,000-scholarship grant to cover the tuition fee and educational materials of 14 students for three years. The recipients of the award were chosen from the informal settlers residing in Taguig City which includes families of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

The Mano Amiga students welcomed the guests by performing musical numbers while the parents of the PETNET-WU scholars met with Ms. Gold after the program to express their gratitude. Taguig Mayor Laarni Cayetano awarded Ms. Gold with the Key to the City, to thank her and the company for their numerous efforts to improve the lives of underprivileged families living in Taguig.

Ms Gold's visit to the Philippines is her fourth time over the last few years. It will be the last occasion she visits in her official capacity as she retires in September and hands over her role to Hikmet Ersek, the current Chief Operating Officer.

The entire Mano Amiga family thanks Ms. Gold for being its partner in transforming communities!