Evaluation of the Child Fund Japan Sponsorship Program of the Notre Dame Business Resource Center Foundation

• Main Author: Blace, Nestor Pabiona
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2013
• Subjects: Child welfare—Philippines—Finance; Social work with children—Philippines; Civic and Community Engagement
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/9277
• Institution: De La Salle University

This terminal evaluation assessed the outcome and the impact of the International Sponsorship Program (ISP) implemented by the Child Fund Japan Philippine Office (CFJPO) with the Notre Dame Business Resource Center Foundation, Incorporated or NDBRCFI as the project holder. The assessment primarily focused to outcome and the outcome on the lives of the individual beneficiaries to whom the assistance was extended and to the communities where the project was implemented. Results of the evaluation conducted served as bases in the formulation of the lessons learned from the experiences of the different stakeholders in the course of the implementation of the project and the recommendations which can be helpful in the other ISP projects. The data were gathered from the sponsored children divided into three groups (the elementary, the high school and the post-secondary), the parents of the sponsored children, officers and members of the People’s Organization, the Project Staff and Management, and community members and officials. The data gathered through the focus group discussion and from the documents. Generally, the results of the evaluation revealed that the objectives of the Child Fund Japan (CFJ) for the sponsored children, their parents, and the community were fully attained. For the sponsored children, the project had brought to them several impacts like values development, academic empowerment, valuing education, promotion of cultural practices, and personality development. The CFJ has a great impact on the development of the values of the sponsored children. These values are very important for them because they will be guided by these to become responsible and good members of the community, as well as their knowing and utilizing their personal assets in shaping their own future. The parents of the sponsored children and the other members of the community have been empowered through the CFJ assistance and activities. They are now the members of the community who are vigilant, critical thinkers, and participative in the social and political activities of the community. The CFJ had been instrumental in making the community realize and develop a lot of values for themselves, for their families, and towards other people. The realization of the community members on the value of education had changed their perspective in life and thought of education as a vehicle for self- development of the young people, family development, and for the development of the entire community. The CFJ was also a means for unifying different conflicting groups within the community because of the activities conducted for them. The people’s organization which was established through the CFJ and the BRC had helped the community to be empowered, since not only the parents of the sponsored children become members thereof, but also other members of the community were allowed to join. Given the present financial standing of the organization, it can be inferred that such organization has the capability to realize its programs and projects. If the organization can be continuously managed properly, it is certain that it will become a sustainable business cooperative. The project is well-managed and implemented. The management considers the needs of the staff, the programs are properly implemented, and there is a strong support from the management on the project endeavors proposed by the staff. On the other hand, the project staff are commendable especially in the area of commitment. They generally like the work they do since this gives them the chance to help others. There is coordination and constant communication with each other in the implementation of the project and in the performance of their functions. Based on the results of the evaluation, recommendations were formulated for the enhancement of similar projects to be implemented in the future. For the people’s organization, the recommendations include: a.) The need for the people’s organization to revisit its policies and guidelines and determine which provisions need amendment considering the experiences of the officers and members in the process of implementation; b.) b) The officers of the people’s organization have to be firm in implementing the policies and guidelines; c.) c.) The officers should have constant communication with each other through regular meetings in order that they could promptly resolve any internal conflicts between and among them, which are related to the organization; d.) d) The organization should explore other means and opportunities for revenue-raising purposes; e.) e.) The support given by the organization to the sponsored children should be continued; f.) f.) The officers of the organization have to exert effort in encouraging the members to attend the general assembly in order to increase the attendance. For the project implementers and staff, the recommendations formulated are the following: a.) The project staff should continue their practice of establishing linkages with the different stakeholders in the process of implementation of the project; b.) In any project or program being implemented, a systematic documentation of all the information and activities conducted is of great help; c.) The project management and staff should continue the practice of evaluating their outputs as well as the discharge of their functions through the staff sharing their experiences with each other and the project management doing the constant monitoring of the progress of the project implementation; d.) In any project similar to the Child Fund Japan (CFJ) which will be implemented, the management should see to it that the staff to be hired should have a heart to care for the poor and the academically- challenged children; e.) The practice of designing activities, though not part of the project but found to be vital, should be communicated to management and also CFJ in Manila for implementation, or for inclusion in future programs to be handled by the management; f.) A regular friendly visit by the staff to parents can be done to check on the status of children; g.) The project staff should continue to keep in touch with former sponsored children who have already finished their studies and are employed; h. Parallel to the phase-out plan of the Center should be the people’s organization “phase-in plan”.