Four years after a civic oriented organization had its re-organization, it is now seeking recognition from the local government to include it from formulating policies for the welfare of children.
Kiwanis International, which was re-organized in 2018 after years of inactivity and its eventual “death”, wants to be part in the formulation of the city government in the promotion of children welfare.
Kiwanis is a civic-oriented organization founded in 1920 which since 2005 has adopted the motto: “Serving the children of the world.”
In a release, the Kiwanis Clubs of Baguio Division 1A-1 said, (Kiwanis) members focused on business networking but in 1919, the organization changed its focus to service – specifically service to children.”
Past Kiwanis Division1A1 Lt. Gov. Samuel Aquino said that since they have been catering to helping children especially those with disabilities, they should be now considered as volunteers and later on as a “local government partner” to draft policies that will promote welfare of Baguio children.
Aquino, the city’s People with Disabilities Affairs Office head, added that since 2018, when they re-organized the organization and had its relaunching, they have reached out to children and have dedicated time, and resources, to help them, especially those coming from indigent families.
He said that they have coordinated with the city social welfare development office in helping children with disabilities.
The local Kiwanis, which has 10 local clubs and is expecting to have more, said that it “helps around the world. Local clubs look out for our communities, and the international organization takes on large-scale challenges, such as disease and poverty.”
Kiwanis has been working with the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center and its pediatric ward in providing assistance to sick children especially those with cancer. They are also providing assistance to the Helping Hand Foundation and centers that house abused children, said Evylene Senato, now the the Lt. Gov. of division 1A-1.
Aquino said that they are now also help provide interventions to help children with intellectual or learning disability and mental health issues especially after nearly 19 months under the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a release, the club added: “We have conducted Mental Health Promotion and Awareness seminars and lectures on how to protect oneself from the deadly virus.”
That is on top of their “adopt a school project” where they provide assistance to teachers in printing of modules for their pupils.
One of their clubs, has also given free accident insurance to some 400 Dona Nicasia Elementary School pupils and around 200 from Fairview Elementary School.
Other activities to help public school children include the conduct of the brigade eskwela, virtual symposium on children’s protection; child wellness and security during the pandemic; provide slippers for school children and gifts through the Pamaskong Handog that contain blankets and toys to children with cancer; donated boxes of vitamins and wheelchairs to PWD children, among others.
The new set of officers and mass induction of new members will be held on October 23 at 2PM at the Blossom Hall of the Orchard Hotel.
