News
VIDES Philippines goes to the peripheries
Città di Cavite (Philippines)
On January 13, 2016, the VIDES Philippines Volunteers Foundation, Inc. inaugurated the Livelihood and Development Center for Women and their Families in General Trias, Cavite City. This milestone marks the 20th year of presence of VIDES in the Philippines, responds to the call of Pope Francis and the FMA GC XXIII to go out to the peripheries in the service of the poor, and seeks to contribute, within their circle of influence, to the realization of some of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.
This center will provide values formation and catechesis, conduct needs assessment among women and their families, and operate a micro-credit office, sewing room, training center, and bakery for women and their families. This will also extend the mobile education project "Busina Mo, Dunong Ko" among the informal settlers from Manila who have been relocated by the Philippine government in Cavite. Other VIDES groups in Europe and North America have been invited by VIDES Philippines to share in this noble mission.
The inauguration was held through the Eucharistic celebration, blessing of offices, and groundbreaking ceremony of the bakery. Mothers, young people, and children from the relocation site of Trece Martires took part in the celebrations, together with the FMA Provincial Council, guests, and VIDES officers, volunteers, and staff.
Inspired by Mother Yvonne Reungoat's Circular 957, we respond to the challenge of the Rector Major in his Strenna 2016, "with Jesus, let us adventure in the Spirit together"!