About Us
THE LAURA VICUÑA FOUNDATION, INC.
The Laura Vicuña Foundation, Inc. which was organized in 1990 is a noble partnership between the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (more popularly known as the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco) and some distinguished lay professionals/collaborators to address the needs and problems of streetchildren. The Foundation aims to ensure continuity and convergence of educational and development interventions to empower children to become honest, productive and self-reliant Christian citizens. It has evolved an integrated development program called the Journey of Hope.
The Foundation utilizes community and center-based approach. It has a multi-stage program and centers namely:
[4] Training Centers in Sta. Mesa, Manila and Victorias City, Negros Occidental;
THE LAURA VICUÑA FOUNDATION, INC. is ... :
A non stock, non-profit, charitable, cultural and social welfare corporation duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC);
A social welfare institution accredited by the Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD);
A non-government organization (NGO) recognized by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) for its sound financial system;
and operates Technology Centers accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)
History
1980s saw the increase in the number of streetchildren plying the streets of Metro Manila. Sr. Anna Maria Mattiusi*'s anxiety for these young souls led her to dream of giving these children a home, where they can experience care, love, a sense of belonging and where consequently receive Christian formation and vocational training echoing Don Bosco's dream and mission that every poor child be a contributing member of the society he/she is in.
She set out to realize a vision with the following guiding philosophy that in every young, there is a seed of goodness which love and integral education can grow into fullness. Don Bosco's Preventive Education characterized by reason, religion and loving kindness will be the axis of the program.
(*Sr. Anna Maria Mattiusi, FMA was then Provincial Superior of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians or Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco)
1989 - Preparations for setting up the foundation. Fund raising commenced with the million peso signature campaign which raised a million peso seed fund held in trust for the streetchildren project.
1990 - Sr. Anna Maria met with Jesuit friends, legal and business luminaries where the establishment of the foundation was conceived. The Laura Vicuña Foundation, Incorporated was duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-profit, charitable, cultural and social welfare corporation on August 27. The registration was correspondingly approved on September 19. A community based program - Drop-In Center for streetchildren was opened in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
1991 - The first streetchildren's Christmas party for 1,500 children was held on F. Manalo Street in Cubao, Quezon City.
1992 - A Residential Center for the rehabilitation of streetchildren in specially difficult circumstances was opened in Cubao. The Drop-In Center in Tondo, Manila was opened. An Informal Skills Training program for streetchildren was opened occupying two classrooms of the Don Bosco School in Sta. Mesa, Manila. The Laura Vicuña Foundation was duly licensed and accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
1994 - The study "An Evaluation of the LVFI Program: A Basis for a Proposed Sustainable Scheme in Development for Streetchildren" conducted by Sr. Maria Victoria P. Sta. Ana, FMA was approved by an academic panel. Hence, the Integrated Development Program for Streetchildren, The Journey of Hope.
1995 - LINK (Launching to Industries Networking and Kickoff), a job placement program, was launched.
1996 - The Residential Center focused on sexually abused girls. The Laura Vicuña Technology Center was inaugurated.
1997 - The Group Home was established.
1998 - Construction on the Community Development Resource and Training Center (CDRTC) for working children, youth and women in Negros Occidental commenced.
1999 - The Laura Vicuña Women Development and Training Center in Hacienda Malihao, Victorias City, Negros Occidental was inaugurated.
2000 - The Streetcamps were initiated to reach out to children not currently served by the LVFI centers or the Salesian Sisters.
2004 - LVF-C.O.M.E. (Community Organizing and Mobilization towards Education) Project was launched at the CDRTC in Negros.
Who is Laura Vicuña?
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Blessed Laura Vicuña is a model that the Salesian Sisters hold up to every girl. She was a pupil at the mission school of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Junin de los Andes, Argentina. Laura lost her father at a young age and her mother, driven by poverty, lived with a rich rancher without the benefit of marriage. Laura herself was in danger from the evil designs of this unscrupulous man who wanted to make her another victim. But Laura stood the test, she chose to leave her mother and stay with the Sisters. With them her Christian life reached the peak of heroism by offering her life for the conversion of her mother. Laura was not yet thirteen when her prayer was heard. She was beatified on September 3, 1989. The Salesian Sisters believe that in every street girl there is a Laura Vicuña waiting to bloom.
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Copyright 2004-2005 - Laura Vicuna Foundation inc - All rights reserved
