CRIBS

CRIBS (Create Responsive Infants by Sharing Foundation, Inc.)

In October, 2009, after a personal project with Glow Greeting Cards – special cards for breast cancer month - launched at the Filipina Women’s Network Summit in California, Ben and I decided that ALL funds raised from the sale of these cards (printing expenses paid by Ben and I) and in collaboration with FWN, would be earmarked for battered and sexually abused women and girls affected by the typhoon calamity in the Philippines.

Tessie Alarcon reached out to Manila to identify such organizations. One who responded to this search was CRIBS Foundation, Inc. CRIBS is a non-government organization committed to the caring, healing, recovery and development of abandoned, surrendered, neglected, and sexually abused children and their families.

On Tessie and Pablito’s recommendation CRIBS was put on the implementation list for Gift Giving, Scholarship and Calamity Rehab (Livelihood)

UPDATES:
On January 28, 2010, after the Marikina gift giving implmentation, My long-time friend Tessie Villacorta and I proceeded to CRIBS for an FtH assistance/assessment visit. We met with Marie Victa Labajo, Executive Director of the Cribs Foundation, Inc. who toured us through the facilities and explained all their services. We then found out that in early December, they were corresponding with FtH and CFO for assistance in Adopt-A-Scholar Project and actually thought this visit was in response to that request. They were told by CFO not to expect anything.

RECOMMENDATION: After this visit, I communicated with Chair Buhain and Board Member Sanidad and recommended that FtH provide 26 residential girls with personal hygiene supplies (feminine napkins, feminine wash, shampoo, bath soap, toothbrush/toothpaste, wash towel, body power, etc) for 12 months.

ESTIMATED COST: PhP62,400 ($l,356.) CRIBS has been listed on our implementation list as a Gift Giving program and budgeted accordingly. They agreed and proceeded to communicate with CRIBS accordingly.

IMPLEMENTATION:
On Tuesday, February 9, after gift giving implementation in Las Pinas, FtH volunteers proceeded to CRIBS to implement the first of a series of gift-giving of their personal needs. Note that FtH Volunteers present saw first hand the great joy in these girls.

FURTHER ACTION: Tessie Villacorta has volunteered to implement the monthly gift-giving. FtH needs to reimburse Tessie for funds expended.