Gemslogo.jpg
 
HomeDonor Privacy PolicyAbout UsHow You Can HelpContact UsLaosEast TimorVietnamChild SponsorshipsCollege SponsorshipsWater For LifeLeprosyFlory's StoryHousingGrants Received

GEMS's Child sponsorships allow: sustainable health, nutrition and environmental sanitation; early child care and development; family life development; and educational support. For just $180 per year, you can help to make a difference. Please read the "Frequently Asked Quesions" at the bottom of this page for additinal information. NEW: We have our first batch of high school graduates this year. We have a need for one sponsor for Mylene, who plans to attend a two year trade school, $500 per year. Please let us know if you can sponsor Mylene.

Contact Us

sietewenalyn0021.jpg

Sponsor visiting his GEMS child
Marlein.JPG

GEMS' CHILD SPONSORSHIP FEE IS $180 PER YEAR

View 4 min. video of GEMS (Created 2008)

2010 Gems Christmas Dinner and Gift Giving from their Sponsors

Spotlight on GEMS Heart Outreach Development

(An Outreach Asia partner and coordinator of the proposed

water system, children’s center and fence projects)

 

When a hungry and out-of-school seven-year-old boy begged her for a piece of bread to eat, Corazon Buenasflores knew she had to do something. That’s what prompted Corazon, a social worker and former employee of the Christian Children’s Fund in the Philippines, to start a non-profit agency dedicated to helping some of her country’s poorest children and families. GEMS Heart Outreach Development Inc. was born in July 2006 with the following vision: “Empowering children, families and communities in transforming lives and building total human development.” Corazon chose the name GEMS because she believes all people should be treated like a gemstone.

Like its partner Outreach Asia Inc., GEMS focuses on sustainable programs that build capacity rather than simply provide one-time handouts. With funding from sponsorships, donations and grants, GEMS president Buenasflores and her two staff members (also long-time former CCF employees) target the following areas: sustainable health, nutrition and environmental sanitation; early child care and development; family life development; and educational support. Other programs and services will be developed as needs are identified by the community, target clients and other stakeholders. This process is conducted with a participatory approach.

GEMS’ target areas are the regions of Cavite (Bacoor, Imus, etc.) and Distrist 1 (Igbaras, Leon, Tubungan, etc.). These two regions share a common theme – severe poverty. In the Cavite neighborhood where GEMS has its offices, about 2,000 families live in a filthy, unsanitary 18-hectare area. Many families live in houses made from recycled GI sheets, lumber and worn-out plywood, often with dirt and mud floors. Diseases are common and easily spread in the area, which has no waste disposal, drainage, clean water or garbage disposal. Most of the children are sickly and malnourished and many don’t attend school. Mothers are underweight, giving birth to malnourished children, while fathers struggle to earn whatever they can as drivers and construction workers (if they are lucky) or else vendors or garbage collectors/scavengers. Vices (gambling, drinking) are common because so many are idle.

The situation is similar in rural District 1, where 92% of elementary-aged children and 76% of pre-school children are malnourished. Poor housing and sanitary conditions pervade the area, where most of the family heads are farm laborers or tenant farmers. The farms are rain-fed and the harvest is minimal, which means families rarely get enough to eat. The only drinking water source is a deep well far from home, so significant time and energy must be expended to obtain water.

GEMS is a duly-registered, non-stock, non-profit, non-sectarian and non-political organization registered with the SEC on July 12, 2006. It has fulfilled all necessary legal requirements to work with the local governments. GEMS’ strategies and approaches include community organizing, capacity building, advocacy and referrals, networking and partnerships, and child and family sponsorships. Its target clients are: children up to 18 years old, families, communities, the elderly and children with disabilities.

GEMS focus on the poorest of the poor in the Philippines, where one-third of the 80 million Filipinos are poor, according to a 2004 national government survey. In most areas, household poverty has been identified as one of the root causes of malnutrition and poor health. About six of 10 children live below the poverty line, in conditions that typically lack a source of drinking water and proper sanitation.

Outreach Asia, Inc. is proud to partner with GEMS to support its life-changing projects in Cavite and District 1. The Children’s Dream Center, deep well and fencing projects will help empower the families of Cavite by serving as an education and development center and a community hub, and by providing a safe and accessible source of drinking water.

Click toView GEMS Activities

Below: Outreach Asia's President, Mike Peck, meets with GEMS's President Cora Buenaflores on November 1, 2006 at site of the new Children's Activity Center (subsequently completed in May, 2007), Bacoor Cavite, Philippines.  When we asked Cora Buenaflores, GEM'S founder, why she picked the name GEMS, she replied, "Everyone in the world should be treated like a Gem"

Cora and Mike discuss GEMS projects - Dec. 2008
GEMS078.JPG

GEMS CHILDREN'S ACTIVITY CENTER
the_center.JPG
May 4, 2007

CANAL REPAIR PROJECT COMPLETE - 2007
Riprap.JPG
CANAL IN FRONT OF GEMS ACTIVITY CENTER

NEW COMMUNITY TOILETS
Beneficiaries.JPG
Completed May - 2007

Volunteers from Japan teaching GEMS Children
teaching_miho.JPG
May 2007

In 2008 we completed an addition to the center, allowing for more children to particpiate in activies.

NEW ADDITION - 2008
P8231660.JPG

GEMS'S Karen DeMesa
KarenDeMesa.JPG
Receiving eyeglasses from Lion's Foundation

GEMS VOLUNTEER JANINA VISITS A FAMILY
P2BulanChildren.JPG

Volunteers build new foot bridge at GEMS
0012.jpg
Two Gem's parents (left) Andy Sandilands (right)

New Foot Bridge over GEMS Canal
P3221300.jpg
Construction Completed March - 2008

GEMS CHILDREN DISPLAYING CERTIFICATES
holding_certificates.JPG
May 2007

George Gange donates 8 Rondalla Instruments
Ma.jpg
April 2008

Christmas Program - 2008
GEMS064.JPG
GEMS's social worker Mel on far left

Pots, Pans, Kitchen Wares Donation
P7250843.jpg
August - 2008

Food Gifts from Sponsors
PC192995.JPG
Christmas - 2008

Contact Us