‘Calm after the Storm’ was a successful fundraising event held at the Savoy Hotel London on October 17, 2014 by Wonder Foundation (WONDER) and carried out by London-based Filipino professionals. So called, because it was held about a year after Typhoon Haiyan (November 8, 2013) struck the Philippines. Calls for help continue from families of affected provinces.
Wonder Foundation’s mission is larger and deeper than providing immediate help for victims of natural calamities.
It aims to improve the all-round well-being of vulnerable communities worldwide through increased access to education, healthcare, economic and other tools of development. Its principal way of addressing it is through education of women and children to stimulate transformative change. It is about effecting change in the lives of people one person at a time; one family at a time.
Wonder’s mission finds resonance with that of the Foundation for Professional Training Inc. (FPTI) which is: to contribute to the efforts of nation-building through lifelong educational development programs and personal character development for women; and access to employment and means of livelihood through skills training.
Thus, when Olivia Darby, British national, representing Wonder Foundation visited the educational projects of FPTI back in 2012, it was not long after that our partnership started.
Back in London, among those who believed in vision and mission of Wonder Foundation is Ms. Charlene Ching, Filipina, who did not have second thoughts of joining in activities that promote Wonder’s cause. In fact, she was a prime mover of ‘Calm after the Storm’ event.
On January 2015, Ms. Ching, representing Wonder Foundation came to the Philippines and visited the educational projects of FPTI namely Banilad Center for Professional Development (Cebu), Anihan Technical School (Laguna), Habihan School, Manila Institute for Culinary Arts and Residential Services and Punlaan School (Metro Manila); and visited hotels and restaurants who are industry partners of its 2-year technical program in hotel services and culinary arts. She also conducted a seminar “Improving Fundraising Readiness” for the management staff of FPTI and all its schools.
FPTI’s journey with Wonder Foundation to help young poor women access training and employment has just started and now shows bright promise. The various schools of FPTI admit young girls who left their devasted home provinces to seek better educational and life opportunities.
Wonder Foundation supports 20 young girls coming from island provinces badly hit by the typhoon such as Bantayan, Leyte, Tacloban Eastern Samar, and Antique to study in Banilad Center for Professional Training in Cebu. The assistance covers expenses for food, transportation, and housing during on-the-job training phase of the program. Wonder Foundation also has scholars studying in Manila Institute for Culinary Arts and Residential Services. The girls come from Leyte, Samar, and Capiz, who sought new hope in FPTI Schools after typhoon Haiyan. They are ready to undertake on-the-job-training in different food establishments in Metro Manila on November 2015.
We are grateful for Wonder’s cooperation in shaping a brighter future of these young girls. This indeed is progress after Calm after the Storm!