Program enhancement for street children in selected provinces of Southern Tagalog Region, Philippines / Andresita Pelias-Mullet.

• Main Author: Mullet, Andresita P.
• Format: Theses and Dissertations NonPeerReviewed
• Published: 2005
• Subjects: HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
• Online Access: http://thesis.dlsud.edu.ph/652/1/MulletAP%20...%20-%20StreetChildren.pdf; http://thesis.dlsud.edu.ph/652/2/D%20ED%20MNGT%20094%202005.pdf; http://thesis.dlsud.edu.ph/652/
• Institution: De La Salle University

The study ventured to enhance appropriate programs of the organizations involved with street children in selected provinces of Southern Tagalog Region, Philippines. This study covered eight Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and a Local Government Unit (LGU) working with street children in Southern Tagalog Region, Philippines. This study included nine (9) heads/coordinators of the organizations, 95 street children and 25 employed personnel respondents. The study used the descriptive qualitative research design. It made use of self-made survey questionnaires for the profile of organizations involved with street children, services/programs rendered by the organizations, perception of the street children on the different services/programs provided by the organizations, and perception of NGO/LGU personnel on the needs/problems of the street children’s programs in the organization. The statistical methods applied were mean and percentage. Based on the assessment, the appropriate programs/services to be enhanced for the street children in selected provinces of Southern Tagalog Region, Philippines are the following: . ο In Health Program, the services for drug rehabilitation and common communicable diseases are to be enhanced. ο In Education Program, electrical training, computer literacy, non-formal education, courtship/dating education, ecology, vocational studies, and agri-business training services need to be enhanced. . ο In Livelihood Program, the gardening activity is the only one to be continued while the other services need to be enhanced. o In Psychosocial Program, the music therapy service is the only service that needs to be enhanced. o In Spiritual Program, the daily Holy Rosary, religious-related seminars, and religious pilgrimage are to be carried out. Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn: 1. The nine identified organizations working with street children in selected provinces of Southern Tagalog Region started responding to the needs of the street children since 1986, and almost all of the established organizations are accredited by the DSWD. Sixty-two (62) employed personnel plus other personnel hired with 32 volunteers both professionals and students are working with street children. 2. In Health Program, all the services are given by all organizations while in Education Program, only rights of children were given attention. In Livelihood Program, all organization provided gardening service. In Psychosocial Program, almost all services were given except for the social situation awareness. The services in Spiritual Program, personal prayers and bible study and sharing are given by eight organizations. 3. Health Program is perceived by street children as very satisfactory. Education Program is perceived as satisfactory. Livelihood Program, fair. Psychosocial Program, very satisfactory, and Spiritual Program, very satisfactory. The general perception of the street children on the programs and services given by the organizations is satisfactory. 4. In the mechanics of coordination on the implementation of programs, networking is the most suitable management style in coordinating with other organizations involved with street children. Funding comes from individual donors, churches, friends of the organizations and foreign sponsors, and other organizations dealing with street children. Hiring efficient and effective personnel who can manage the center and trained staff in dealing with the street children is necessary. Courtesy calls to the local DSWD have to be undertaken. The information about the street children are known through media reports and organizational meetings for street children organizations. The information about the street children are gathered from referrals from DSWD and other concerned citizens. 5. In Health Program, the appropriate programs/services to be enhanced for the street children are drug rehabilitation and common communicable diseases. In Education Program, the programs to be enhanced are electrical training, computer literacy, non-formal, courtship/dating education, ecology, vocational/furniture studies, and agribusiness training. In Livelihood Program, candies vending, pottery, candle, basket, stationery and doormat making, simple accounting/book keeping, painting, rosary and card making has to be improved. In Psychosocial Program, music therapy is to be enhanced while in Spiritual Program are the daily Holy Rosary, religious-related seminars, and religious pilgrimage. In the light of the findings of this study, it is recommended that: . 1. the DSWD must assess constantly the motivation in founding an organization for street children. Encouragement for the organizations to be authentic and genuine in serving the clientele must be inculcated. 2. an accredited organization must be opened in welcoming desirous volunteers in serving the street children as there is a constant increase of street children to be attended to. 3. in terms of the psychological needs of street children, a professional psychologist must be employed for the total rehabilitation and recovery of the clientele. Attention on the awareness of AIDS/HIV, drug rehabilitation, common communicable disease, STDs (Sexually Transmitted Disease), pulmonary prevention, and gender sensitivity is also necessary in order that the basic health needs of the children are well provided. 4. it is so meaningful in the life of the street children if personal prayer and bible study and sharing were practiced continuously to develop open-mindedness for the exploration of one’s faith. 5. the NGOs and LGUs need to strengthen their alliance and increase venues for linkages and sharing of resources. 6. the comments of the personnel employed must be taken as one of the best ways to improve the service to the street children.