BCCF Newsletter

Vol. 3 No. 1
December 2003

Neurosurgeons Now Serving Butuan
The Micro-lending Project
A Salute To Our Noble Friends
BCCF Welcomes Dr Cas Garcia
Birthday Donations Turned Over To BCCF
Neurosurgical Services for the Poor
BCCF Christmas Party
Dr Vargas Invited to Speak in Germany
BCCF Observes 3rd Anniversary
Synergos Institute Extend Invitation To Ivory Charities
15 Boxes as Pahalipay Christmas 2003
Acknowledgement of Donors

Neurosurgeons Now Serving Butuan
By: Rene Vargas

Government statistics show that almost one half of the people of Butuan are classified as poor, barely surviving, living below poverty line demarcated by the national government. To alleviate the sad situation of the poor, village microlending is being implemented by Ivory Charities Foundation, Inc, a nongovernment, nonprofit, nonsectarian, nonpolitical association of "Butuanons Helping Indigent Butuanons."

ICF believes that many of the "non-bankable" rural folks, if given access to capital, can themselves get over their plight. Lack of collateral disqualifies them from availing of bank loans. Desperate for financial help, many turn to usurers, who charge the so called "fixed rate," borrowing 5 pesos in the morning and paying six pesos by sundown. They are milked an effective interest rate of 20% per day, or 7,300% per annum.

Inspired by the Grameen experience in Bangladesh, and supported mostly by the Butuan Charities Foundation of Southern California, the micro lending project was conceived in the year 2001. The first livelihood load was released in Feb 16, 2002.

Today, 14 months after the project began, 127 loans have been released to villagers in six barangays. Total amount released to date is P492,000.00. It is a pleasant surprise to note that all loans have been paid on time. Many were paid off before the due date. There is not one case of loan default. The 100% payment of loans strengthened the faith of ICF on the "non-bankable." ICF is more determined than ever to expand the livelihood micro-lending opportunities to the rest of the 86 barangays in the City.

As of July 2003, our Microlending program has given loans to 150 families in 12 barangays in Butuan City. A total of P841,000.00 were loaned out; only P3,450.00 is one month overdue as of this writing, per ICF treasurer, Araceli Dy. That is 99.96% of the loans paid on time. Some of the loans paid long before the due date. That is phenomenal considering that the loans were granted without any form of collateral.

This phenomenon was attributed by ICF president, Rene Vargas, as a display of "honor and industry" of the rural folks. True. but, not quite entirely so. The main reason for this, we believe, is the sincerity and dedication of the Ivory folks. They are the ones who implement this program. They are the ones who trek through rough roads to get to the barrio folks to introduce and educate them about the workings of the program. ICF believes that many of the "non-bankable" rural folks, if given access to capital, can help themselves get over their plight. They are there to interview and screen the applicants and they also inspect project site of each applicant where it happens to be. Once the loans were released, the ICF representatives go back once or twice to collect payment. It requires extreme degree of diligence. Big time. That is why this project has attained this degree of success.

For a while, i thought the biggest burden was on the fundraisers. No sir. You dont have to be there to realize it. you only have to imagine how a typical "project day" transpires as i did reading their newsletter account of a Sunday outing.

I felt the dust on my face as they traverse the bumpy, dusty roads to meet the barangay folks at the designated meeting place. I could see them patiently explaining the program to these poor folks. Encouraging and reassuring them; answering their questions over and over again; reminding them about their responsibilities of paying back the loans. Remember, these are less informed folks who most likely have never stepped into a bank. Borrowing a cup of vinegar from a neighbor is probably the closest to applying for a loan for most of them.

The ICF members described how they go and inspect the loan applicant's project site to verify not only the viability of their proposed business, but also their truthfulness.

I could also picture the anxious faces of these poor folks. And, I could feel the struggle felt by the ICF members when they are in the midst of these poor folks. The sight of hardship in their faces and their destitute living condition would make one feel like giving the loans outright, with no further questions or investigation. Dont you think?

Well, to go through this over and over again as you move from one group to the next and from one barangay to the next is very tough indeed. Oh yes. And, you know, the Ivory folks do this using their own resources and money. None of the donated funds are used by them for overhead expense. So that whatever money sent by us from donations, will all be used as they were intended - exactly what we tell the donors what the money was raised for.

Let us hope and pray, that the Ivory folks will always have strength and resolve to continue their philanthropic works. And for us in BCCF, let's work a little harder to raise funds, okay?

The BCCF is proud to announce the addition of Dr Cas Garcia to its Board of Directors. Dr Garcia "Cokoy" to his childhood friends and "Cas" to the rest of his friends and admirers, just recently retired from his private medical practice in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr Garcia's roots are in Butuan City, Philippines. The youngest of four children of Maximo Garcia Sr and Aurora Sanchez Garcia, he graduated valedictorian from both Butuan Central Elem School and the High School department of Urios College. He obtained his medical degree from Santo Tomas University and was among the top ten of those who passed the medical board exam. Dr Garcia is marrited to Teresita Encarnacion, a fellow butuanon. They are blessed with three children and three grandchildren.

Dr Garcia is well known for his many charitable works especially among the needy people in Butuan. At every opportunity he sends medicine, medical supplies, and equipment to different public medical institutions in Butuan to benefit indigent patients. He also organized a sucessful medical mission of physicians and surgeons from Atlanta, GA. but Dr Garcia is most known for his lifelong desire to provide safe drinking water to Butuan's barrios. To realize this, he conceived the idea of, and provided funds for the construction of artesian wells. He named his undertaking the "Aurora Waters Project" in honor of his mother, Aurora Sanchez Garcia.

Fourteen (14) barrios now benefit from his efforts. More barrios can look forward to sharing in the blessing in due time. We are happy to welcome Dr Garcia and we are honored that he has chosen to work with us.

Armed with simple human decency and a strong desire to make a difference, the following birthday celebrants turned over a total of $2,725.00 in cash donations to BCCF to help fund the microlending project in Butuan City and the maintenance of the Butuan City Hospital Neurosurgical unit:

Dr Lorens Alaan: $1,300.00
Mina Ladlad: 850.00
Bridget Jandug: 575.00

The birthday celebrants, touched by the need of others and in their efforts to raise the consciousness of humanity, preferred cash donations made out to Butuan City Charities Foundation in lieu of birthday presents. BCCF, recipient of this generous donation, is a non-profit organization based in Los Angeles, CA and was founded based on a simple idea to spearhead charitable efforts and bring relief to Butuan City's less fortunate.

The Neurosurgical project for the indigents in Butuan City was established more than a year now. It was conceived at that time with the idea of providing neurosurgical services for the poor patients sustaining traumatic head injuries. Injuries to the head and spine from traffic accidents, falling from heights or even fights.

Up until then, the patients' families had to sell everything they had to travel hundreds of kilometers and several hours away to Cagayan De Oro City or take a boat for at least a day to Cebu. This ordeal also deprived the patients visits of the rest of the families and friends. Whatever expenses they incur along the way and while in Cagayan or in Cebu is an economic loss to Butuan as well. Not to mention the huge loss to these families.

Those who are really destitute could not take their patients to these places for the needed attention, hence, the patients just continue to get worse and die or are left with permanent damage. Some of them severely maimed, no longer able to do any kind of work. They become permanent burdens to their families, the community - the city. The idea centered at that time on these kinds of injuries.

The report received from the benevolent neurosurgeon, Dr Jose Dacudao, shows that the bul of the cases he is seeing are non-surgical cases. But, just the same they are cases that need prompt attention by a neurosurgeon. Cases, just as devastating if left unattended by a neurosurgical specialist.

Dr Dacudao hails from the Ilocos province in Luzon. What made him decide to accept our invitation to practice in Butuan City is probably his belief that he is most needed and will be most appreciated by the people of Butuan. He trained under Dr Amado Layno of Siargao who is aware of the need for this service in Butuan. Hence, he joined BCCF and Ivory Charities in making representations to Mayor Daisy Plaza to establish a neurosurgical unit in Butuan Medical Center.

Dr Dacudao is seeing an average of 40 - 50 charity cases per month, performing an average of 10 neurosurgeries on charity cases, on top of that. I do not know what would have happened to them without Dr Dacudao.

We were thinking about head accidents only when we thought of the project. I did not realize the magnitude of the problem was so much larger until i read the monthly report from Dr Dacudao. It figures to be about 600 cases a year plus more than 120 surgeries a year. How do you translate that to lives saved, incapacity prevented, anguished and deprivation minimized, and peso amount kept in the Butuan City economy?

Very hard to quantify. Maybe we should not even quantify. But, I'm doing this for only two main reasons:
1. to show our donors that we indeed realized the impact of their generosity, and
2. to let Dr Dacudao know that we are very grateful for his decision in making Butuan City the recipient of his charitable work

The Neurosurgical project is one of our perpetual projects. Hence, it needs continuous funding to provide supplies and medicines and to purchase some of the instruments still lacking. Copies of Dr Dacudao's May, June and July Reports are shown below:

(Please send your comments to lor5421@aol.com)

Dr and Mrs Alaan hosted an early Christmas party for BCCF's Board of Directors and their spouses. The party was held at their residence last Dec 6, 2003. Special guests were: Lulette Villanueva Bryan, Bob Cortez, Johanna Jandug, Jon and Mina Montilla Ladlad, Horacio and Bebot Lasam, Manuel and Cynthia Montilla, Melit and Lemlem Ortiz, Remy Ortiz, Mila Santos and Liwanag Vargas.

The Butuan City Charities Foundation (BCCF) celebrated its third anniversary on Sept 6, 2003. A dinner-dance was held at the After Five Dance Studio to commemorate the occasion. The highlight of the affair was the culmination of the BCCF's fund raising for the year 2003 with the drawing of the lottery's lucky numbers.

The following were the winners:

• Rose Gabor Gucayane, who won a DVD player
  
• Teresita Tejada, who won a 23" television
  
• Wilma Villanueva Bryan, who ended up with the major prize, a 2-night stay at the MGM Hotel in Las Vegas and plane tickets for two.

Dr Rene Vargas, president of Ivory Charities Foundation (ICF), based in Butuan City, the sister foundation of BCCF, was invited to participate in a workshop of Association of Foundations. The workshop was held last Dec 9-11 in Pasig City. The purpose of the seminar workshop was to bring together heads of community foundations, Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs), and provincial networks from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, to a dialogue and exchange of ideas around sustaining local development.

Dr Vargas was asked to sit in the panel and also to give a presentation on how ICF mobilized funds sent to ICF primarily from Butuanons in the US in support of their projects. Dr Vargas discussed the working relationship of ICF and BCCF and the different projects undertaken so far. A detailed reports from Dr Vargas will be published as soon as available.

The Synergos Institute develops effective, sustainable and locally-rooted solutions to poverty. Synergos and partners mobilize resources and bridge social and economic divides to reduce poverty and increase equity around the world. Synergos works directly with partners around the world - Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabe, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand - as well as on regional basis in Southern Africa and along the US-Mexican border.

The Butuan City Charities Foundation of Southern California shipped 15 balikbayan boxes of used clothing to Ivory Charities Foundation of Butuan City last Oct 17 2003 as part of their Christmas Pahalipay 2003, Gift For Garbage.

Gifts will be distributed in Barangay Taguibo, Barangay Anticala, and other depressed areas of Butuan City.

According to ICF President, Dr Rene Vargas, distribution of gifts will be conducted by its members starting Dec 13 2003.

In addition to 15 boxes shipped, a cash donation of $4,000.00 was personally delivered by BCCF Secretary Mrs Bridget Aquio Jandug. The money was intended for the Microlending Project in the amount of $2,000.00; $1,000.00 for Neurosurgical unit maintenance; and $1000.00 for ICF "Pahalipay sa Pasko."

Cash Donations:

Dr and Mrs Cas Garcia
Dr and Mrs Melchor Collantes
Mr and Mrs Arnold Alsua
Mr Fred Knapp
Dr and Mrs Lorens Alaan
Dr and Mrs Ronald Reagan
Mr and Mrs Jerry Bryan
Warto and Bridget Jandug
Mina Montilla Ladlad
Atlanta-Gwenette Womens Specialist PC
AT&T Northern Trust Company

Medical Supplies:

Dr and Mrs Cas Garcia
Mr and Mrs Al Debouzet

Oscar and Maricor Calo
Pris Osin Arriola
Mr and Mrs Arnold Alsua
Mr and Mrs Lienne Flores
Warto and Bridget Jandug