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About ATIKHA

Atikha is a non-government organization that provides economic and social services to overseas Filipinos and their families in the Philippines. The organization aims to help minimize the social cost of migration and maximize the development potential of migration.

Atikha was initiated in 1995 by a group of migrant returnees, advocates and religious leaders in Laguna. It was established based on a Bread for World-funded study on the impact of migration on women. The study revealed the social cost of migration, especially on the children left behind. It also showed that many migrants are unable to save due probably to a crisis in the work site, in the family, or the migrant herself. Many come home ill prepared to face the future. Often, life has become more miserable. They are much older and have few skills. They cannot be employed nor do they have funds to start their own business.

In the initial years, Atikha focused its work on addressing the social problems brought about by the separation of the Overseas Filipinos and their families. Atikha organizes communities of migrant families by providing psychosocial intervention to enable the community to respond to migration-related issues. It gives focus on the children of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and women. It conducted value formation, summer arts and crafts workshops for the children of overseas Filipinos in San Pablo City, Laguna. It also helped form self-help groups among the children of overseas Filipinos. Atikha believes that the social preparation of the families and the community is an important component for an effective reintegration program for migrant workers.

Atikha started as a community based NGO in the Philippines and currently working in 4 sub-national regions: Region III (Central Luzon), Region IV- A (CALABARZON), Region V, (Bicol) and Region VI (Western Visayas). It is also working with government and migrant organizations in Italy, UAE, Qatar, Hong Kong and Singapore. It has also conducted training of trainers for migration stakeholders in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Lao PDR and Cambodia.