SPECIAL FEATURE
Guided and Unified Interaction for the Development of Children, Inc.

ON APRIL 25 to May 4, 2003 while most of us are flocking in malls and beaches, a certain group of students and professionals have conducted their annual camp—a summer camp for kids. Yes! You read it right! But not just for kids, but for underprivileged and unfortunate "special" kids.

A certain group of "wounded angels" have swooped down from the heavens to give these kids the best 10 days of their lives. Ten days to showcase their talents, skills, and abilities, meet new friends, and travel to places they have never been to. This group is known as GUIDE, Inc., an acronym for the foundation's long name, Guided and Unified Interaction for the Development of Children, Inc.

GUIDE, Inc. had its roots way back in December 1996 when a group of individuals conceptualized putting together resources, talents, skills, and special abilities to form a foundation to address children with special needs and various disabilities. Led by its founder and concurrent president, Michael Gerry Duwin A. Dela Zerna, Ph.D., the Foundation gained recognition from the Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Social Welfare and Development in January 1997.

Since then, they have been conducting training for college students and professional volunteers to share their cause and advocate the plight of "special children."

Vision
To be a committed and responsive organization in the implementation of programs that will help address child welfare, education and rehabilitation and develop responsive and committed individuals in the realization of such programs.

Mission

• To continually provide opportunities to children to develop potentials and skills that will help them function as productive individuals;
• To advocate the advancement of special children's rights and welfare;
• To continually provide avenue for individuals to develop interest in providing
  assistance to children with disabilities and their service providers;
• To organize and maintain regular training and development programs for special
  interest groups working for the benefit of children with disabilities.
• To generate resources that will help the organization pursue the achievement of its mission, goals and objectives.

Goals

• To hold summer camp for children who are mentally, physically and emotionally handicapped including the orphaned, abandoned and street children once a year.
• To provide avenue for professional and student volunteers who have inherent altruistic character to help unfortunate and special children;
• To serve as training facility for special interest groups in understanding the complex world of children and their needs;
• To promote public awareness, sympathy and concern on the plight of "special" and unfortunate children;
• To provide educational opportunities, when able, to children in support of their educational needs; and
• To put a center, when able, to house and to attend to the needs of "special" and unfortunate.

A Summer What?

GUIDE, Inc. annually brings two hundred children from its affiliate agencies to choice locations in the country to conduct a 10-day summer camp. The foundation has been fortunate to conduct their summer camps in:

a.) Lipa City, Batangas - home to the famous kapeng barako, balisong and
beautiful beaches

b.) San Pablo City, Laguna - town with hospitable people, a few minutes away from Villa Escudero

c. ) Calapan City, Mindoro - home to the famous Puerto Galera white sand beaches

d. ) Boac, Marinduque - home to the Moriones Festival

e. ) Alaminos City, Pangasinan - drop point for Hundred Islands tourist spot

f. ) Agoo, La Union - known for giant waves in its beaches

g.) San Andres, Romblon - known for its marble deposits and tourist
attractions like Mablaran Falls and Sapatos Island

The summer camp dubbed as GABAYAN intends to provide the "special" and unfortunate children the opportunity to:

• Travel, discover and learn things differently from the usual that they have;
• Enjoy the company of other children either normal or "special" through activities that will provide them exploration and experience self-discovery;
• Develop faith in their capacities and use their creative skills to hone their potentials.
• Enhance their self-esteem through association to people with no attachment to them and
• Develop friendship among themselves; and
• Understand that the world is a good place to live in.

So, what exactly HAPPENS in the ten-day summer camp?

Day 1
Welcome Parade and Blessing of Camp Site
BAYANIHAN ( A Welcome Program by the City Officials )

Day 2
Arts and Crafts - Posters, Bookmarks, Invitations and Mask Making
MASKARADA - *mask parade in the morning
TANGHALANG PAMBATA - *theater presentation by the children

Day 3
Sunday Worship
Arts and Crafts - Puppets, Mascots, Bracelets, Necklaces and Mobile
STORYTELLING
PUPPETRY - puppet presentation by the children

Day 4
Courtesy Call to Town Officials
LOCAL TOUR / SWIMMING
Kite Flying
MUSIKAHAN - singing contest

Day 5
Arts and Crafts - Picture Frame and Jewelry Box
LITTLE MR. AND MS. GUIDE - beauty pageant-like friendly competition
HATAWAN - *dance competition - disco on the latter part of the evening

Day 6
Arts and Crafts - Play dough, Foot and Finger Painting
Hats Making for Kiddielympics
KIDDIELYMPICS
CHEERING BONANZA

Day 7
Palarong Pinoy and Pistang Pinoy - replication of famous Filipino games and festival rituals.
SANTACRUZAN - children get the rare chance to be "Reyna and Eskorte" for the parade in town.

Day 8
Thank You letter Making
Open House Exhibit - venue for showcasing children's art
GUIDE's TREAT - volunteer's chance to show their talents through different presentations.

Day 9
Share a Home / Foster Family
ALAY PAGPAPASALAMAT AT PAGPUPUGAY and Counseling Hour
GUIDE'S NIGHT, CANDLE CEREMONY AND BONFIRE - culminating activity

Day 10
Break Camp and Departure from Camp Site
Arrival to Manila
Home Sweet Home

Aside from the summer camp, the Foundation also implements the following programs;

Institutional Socialization Program (Monthly Ope. Makibata )
- monthly visit to institutional beneficiaries to socialize with wards/ children through meaningful interaction.

Child Advocacy
- the Foundation caters to invitations from various schools and organizations who want information on the plight, conditions and life of "special" children. Information campaign is also initiated to correct notions on the plight of these children.

Referral and Coordination
- the Foundation takes an active role in coordination and referrals with its affiliate agencies for temporary shelter or for salient matters which calls for the protection of the rights of these children.

Counseling
- Counseling services are extended to children and parents or relatives and anybody who may require assistance in understanding the needs of the children.

Sports
- Sports programs from "special" children through the conduct of mini-Olympics and coordinate with and assist other NGO's on their sports activities for "special" and other unfortunate children.

How Can You Help?
The Foundation generates its own funds from sponsorships, ticket raffles, and fund raising activities to come up with the expenses incurred for the summer camp. Any donation of goods or in cash are very much welcome and will be issued a corresponding official receipt. If you are a college student or a professional who has a soft spot for kids, you may reach us with the numbers below. How else can you help?

• I will sponsor a child to join GUIDE Inc.'s summer camp by way of financial contribution - full sponsorship ( P2,000 )
  - partial sponsorship ( P1,000 )Enjoy the company of other children either normal or "special" through activities that will provide them exploration and experience self-discovery;
• I will deposit my donation through GUIDE Inc.'s PNB PGH- Taft Branch Account # 200-581133-6
• I will offer my place for GUIDE, Inc.'s meetings and training functions.
• I will offer my free services as speaker and facilitator.
• I will solicit sponsorship for endorsement to GUIDE, Inc.
• I will join GUIDE, Inc as a volunteer
• I will promote GUIDE, Inc to my friends and colleagues.

What's In It For You?
Since the Foundation is a non-stock, non-profit organization, there are no monetary remuneration for the volunteer's time, talent and skills poured in the attainment of the goals and objectives of the organization. We can only offer free travel to and from the campsite, free board and lodging and five ( 5 ) good meals a day for the duration of the summer camp. Our volunteers can attest that the experience is a life-altering and momentous event in their lives, realizing some of life's simple truths.

This year, the Foundation plans to hold summer camp in the beautiful Sibuyan Island province of ROMBLON ( famous for the abundance of mineral rocks ) for its 8th GABAYAN 2004. Training for volunteers starts February 2004. For inquiries, you may reach the secretariat thru Ms. Shela Vidanes ( 09196591092 ) or Mr. Bong Sace ( Mobile 09195327689 Office 426 6001 local 6173 or thru e-mail rsace[at]admu[dot]edu[dot]ph )

Many are called but few are chosen, be one of the chosen ones and be a volunteer!

The Foundation is being managed by the following:

Board of Trustees
Michael Gerry Duwin A. dela Zerna, PhD, President
Ricardo V. Dumangas, Vice President
Shela Rose Vidanes, Secretary
Joyce G. Inumerable, Assistant Secretary
Pamela C. Panganiban, Treasurer
Richardyne C. Mistal (on leave), Asst. Treasurer
William Russell B. Furigay (on leave), Auditor
Citadel Felices, Internal Public Relations Officer
Rey C. Sace, External Public Relations Officer

Committee Heads

Aileen May H. Andres, Membership Chairperson
Mary Antoinette Villanueva, Training Chairperson
Marvin Manipon, Special Projects Chairman
Eric Manalo, Finance Chairman

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