Forty preschool children from ERDA Foundation were treated to a day of fun at Li'l Fun Ranch in Westgate Center, Alabang.

What started as a simple response to a report about the increasing number of school dropouts has become the oldest non-governmental institution in the Philippines that caters to the needs of out-of-school children 36 years later.

Educational Research and Development Assistance (ERDA) Foundation was founded by French-born Filipino priest Fr. Pierre Tritz in 1974 to help prevent impoverished children from becoming school dropouts.

ERDA Foundation, along with three other organizations — Foundation for the Assistance to the Hansemites (FAHAHN) for people and their families affected by leprosy; ERDA Tech Foundation which is an innovative technical and vocational school; and Albert Schweitzer Association of the Philippines (ASAP) that provides assistance to children in conflict with the law — is now known as the ERDA Group.

Despite differences in expertise, the four organizations under ERDA Group all run child-focused programs especially in the areas of education, child/family/community assistance, and advocacy, child protection and other support. Under its wings are child scavengers, streetchildren, out-of-school youth, child laborers, children in conflict with the law, children of persons affected by leprosy, and children of indigenous peoples.

Now, ERDA has more than 24,000 beneficiaries enrolled in different levels of education nationwide, since it offers educational assistance programs from preschool up to college. Since its inception, more than 600,000 indigent children all over the country have benefited from the efforts of ERDA.

ERDA’S ALLIES

Although cash endowments are necessary to sustain ERDA’s programs and services that are being offered for free, ERDA puts so much value on the efforts given by student volunteers from various colleges and universities like College of St. Benilde-DLSU, Ateneo de Manila University, Trinity University of Asia, STI, the University of the Philippines, Universidad de Manila, La Consolacion College, Centro Escolar University, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, San Beda College, Asian Pacific College, etc. Students from these educational institutions spend their time tutoring preschool children and other ERDA wards.

Social worker for 15 years now, Fanny Esparrago sees her work at ERDA as a great opportunity to help others. “Kahit na trabaho ko ito, masasabi ko na makabuluhan yung ginagawa ko kasi marami akong natutulungan maiangat ang buhay lalo na ang mga bata,” says Fanny who is coordinator for the Muntinlupa area, rendering services to preschool children and their families.

So greatly inspired by Fr. Tritz is Fanny that she has never thought of looking for another job since she joined ERDA. “Sobrang na-inspire ako kay Fr. Tritz kasi despite his age, 95 years old, 'yung kapakanan pa rin ng beneficiaries especially ng mga bata ang inaalala niya. What keeps me going is Fr. Tritz mission of sending all children to school. Naniniwala ako na ang bata, kahit elementary lang ang natapos, puwedeng lumaban sa hirap ng buhay kasi kahit papaano, alam niya 'yung basics like bumasa, magbilang at sumulat.”

Single at 39, Fanny believes that doing social work and helping others is her destiny. “Pinili ko itong path na ito and I believe I made the right choice. Sana lang, mas madami pang magnais na makibahagi sa mission namin kasi ang edukasyon ay karapatan ng lahat ng bata at madadala niya ito kahit saan siya pumunta,” she says.

Recently, as a treat ERDA’s 40 preschool children within the Muntinlupa area, Lil’ Fun Ranch in Westgate Center, Alabang threw a party of non-stop play, food, games, magic and face painting for Li’l Fun Ranch mascot Red the Dog, which celebrated its third birthday.

The ERDA children had a blast playing with other Li’l Fun Ranch mascots — Sunny the Duck and Skye the Blue Horse who sang and danced with them. Before the party, the children were allowed to play in a multi-level maze of trampolines, hanging bridges, tunnels and slides in the five-storey playground called Active Fun.

Even when the day came to an end, the children were still all smiles because they got to bring home a Big Red Barn loot bag filled with souvenir of yummy goodies and sweet treats.

According to Fanny, Filinvest Alabang Inc. which owns and manages Westgate Center, is supporting 38 college,68 high school, 104 elementary, and 100 preschoolers in the Muntinlupa area. “We’re very happy kasi may chance 'yung mga bata to experience these things,” she says.

Fanny shares that many of the kids look forward to events like these because they can escape from poverty at home. “Karamihan sa mga batang ito, talagang mahihirap at bihira sa kanila 'yung maka-experience ng ganito,” she says.

Aside from providing them an experience they will never forget, events like this help children develop their social and communication skills. “Para sa kanila, isa itong malaking gift dahil kahit sandali, maramdaman nila na bata sila at walang kailangan intindihin kundi maglaro,” Fanny ends.