SAVINGS MOBILIZATION

To promote its Savings Consciousness Campaign and intensify awareness of children on the importance of savings and spending money wisely, Atikha helps organize the Batang Atikha Savers Club in partner schools and in the community.

Atikha partnered with Bangko Kabayan (BK)in Batangas and with Soro-soro Ibaba Development Cooperative (SIDC)in Laguna to handlethe savings deposit of the members of Batang Atikha Savers Club. BK and SIDC provide coin banks for the children and regularly collect them for deposit. Savings passbook are in the name of the child and the parents or guardian.

The teacher-coordinators in every school oversee the activities of the children and serve as their adviser. They also help in facilitating the opening of the child's savings account.


SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN OF MIGRANTS

Atikha partnered with schools in Laguna, Batangas and Cavite in the implementation of its School-based Psychosocial Program for Children of Migrants.

Migration Realities Seminar. The migration realities seminar includes topics on the life and work conditions of migrants and the negative and positive effects of migration to give the children a balanced perspective on migration. It also tackles topics such as: "Savings Consciousness, Disavowing Consumerism, Fostering Good Communications & Relations, and Goal Setting". The activities were designed using various creative forms like games, role playing, workshops and other group dynamics which children truly enjoy. Awareness of the realities of their parent's life and work conditions abroad makes the children more responsible in doing their part by spending money wisely, studying harder and help the family to achieve their financial goals in order to facilitate the return of their parents at the soonest time possible.

Capacity Building Seminar. This seminar provides training on "Leadership Skills, Peer Counseling, Gender Sensitivity and Young Entrepreneurship." Children were taught early on how to be a young entrepreneur and how to help their peers by lending their ears and sharing. The activities in this seminar build up the child's self confidence, sense of cooperation, decision making and discovery of one's self.

Integrating Migration Issues in the Elementary & Secondary Curriculum. In cooperation with the Department of Education, Atikha conducts Teachers’ Training to capacitate them in integrating migration issues in their lesson plans and school activities, using the Manual developed and published by Atikha. This is a 5-day seminar/training.

Atikha has conducted the Training of Teachers in Laguna, Batangas and Cavite Provinces. At present, negotiations with the national office of the Deparment of Education is on-going for the project to be undertaken nationwide.


COMMUNITY & ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

Atikha assists in organizing the community and in the development of community-based enterprises. It helps identify viable enterprises through feasibility and market studies. Atikha then provides technology transfer and training, and in the start-up operation of the enterprise.

Atikha mobilizes the philanthropic support and direct investment of OFWs and organizations worldwide for the community-based enterprises established by Atikha like COCO NATUR.

Coco Natur is a social enterprise engaged in the processing of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) products such as: VCO Soap, Aroma Therapy Essence Oil, Hair Oil and moisturizer. Atikha partnered with the Pederasyong Magniniyog at Magsasaka sa Lunsod the San Pablo in the manufacture of VIRGIN COCONUT OIL, with a plant in Barangays Sta Isabel and Sto Niño in San Pablo City.

Another upcoming project of Atikha and Coco Natur is the establishment of COCO VILLAGE in San Pablo City to showcase the coconut based products and to promote ecotourism.


ENVIRONMENT CONSCIOUSNESS

Mountain trekking and Tree Planting activities for children were organized by Atikha during summer workshops to intensify its campaign on environment consciousness, preservation and conservation of natural resources.

Atikha joined Lingap sa Pitong Lawa Community Foundation in launching Project 747: Seven Million for Seven Lakes aimed at mobilizing resources for the development of ecotourism; rehabilitation and preservation of the Seven Lakes in San Pablo City and the creation of jobs and livelihood opportunities.

Lingap sa Pitong Lawa spearhead "Yakap sa Lawa 2" an awareness campaign held in October 2008. More than 10,000 students, professionals, employees, NGOs, GOs and supporters joined hands showing commitment for the development and rehabilitation of Sampaloc Lake.