The Share A Child Movement Inc - my grandmother's legacy

The Share A Child Movement Inc - my grandmother's legacy

Let me start from the very beginning.  In the Philippines, small children listen to stories told by their grandmothers (Lola, in Filipino).  Let me share with you the story of my Lola Sising's legacy.

I am Helen Valenzona Madamba, the eldest granddaughter of Atty. Esperanza G. Valenzona (fondly called Lola Sising).  She founded The Share A Child Movement, Inc (TSACMI), a child-focused, Cebu-based non-government organization which envisions children empowered to become productive citizens of the world.

In the 1980s Atty. Esperanza G. Valenzona initiated literacy programs and scouting activities for youth offenders jailed among hardened criminals in the Cebu City jail.

With the help of a handful of her friends, she established a non-government organization to expand her work in jail, thus the birth of The Share A Child Movement, Inc.  Its objective is to promote the full development of a child.  Its mission is to assist the marginalized child at risk to attain a degree of harmony within the context of a nurturing family life and attend to their well being and training as a responsible citizen and potential leader in the future.

Under the leadership of Atty. Eufrosina "Nina" G. Valenzona (my auntie Nina) as its first Executive Director, The Share A Child Movement Inc began extending educational assistance to child beneficiaries to the urban slums of Cebu City.   For more than 30 years in existence, TSACMI continues to provide educational assistance, and through the generosity of local and foreign benefactors,  more than three thousand students were able to finish schooling, among them community leaders and successful professionals.  

TSACMI was also successful in organizing the youth as child right advocates, going room to room to conduct massive awareness campaigns on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in the public schools of Cebu City.  Family watch groups against domestic violence were organized and strengthened in the mountain barangays of Cebu City.  Community-based child protection networks were organized and trained to advocate against issues like gender sensitivity, violence against women and children, child trafficking and webcam sex tourism.

In the first quarter of 2014, we lost both my Lola Sising and my auntie Nina.  This left TSACMI crippled, with doubts that the programs and activities would continue.  Today I have taken auntie Nina's place as Executive Director.  I hope that the people who are part of the organization as members, benefactors, staff, alumni and beneficiaries, would continue to believe in our cause and would continue to support our efforts to uplift the lives of our children in communities, so that we may make Cebu a better place to live in.

This is The Share A Child Movement, Inc - my Lola Sising's legacy.  Help me keep it alive and serving!