A Prayer for India and the Philippines
Heavenly Father, bless all children and families in our sites in Asia. Help us to continue to provide the means through which children and their families can access adequate nutrition, school support, and medical and dental care. We pray for the wisdom and guidance to help build and strengthen families in this difficult time. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.
The Radiance of Filipino cuisine: Pansit
Our regions are known for their radiant cuisine, and the Philippines are no exception. With more than 100 ethno-linguistic groups scattered throughout the nation, the country’s cuisine reflects the rich diversity of its residents.
Noodles are a common ingredient in Filipino cooking, and pansit is no exception. This stir-fried noodle dish is made with fresh cabbage, sliced chicken, and a helping of soy sauce. It’s the ultimate comforting meal. Bonus points for not needing to turn on the oven, so it’ll keep you cool in the summer.
This dish has also become popular in the island of Guam, one of the Mariana islands in what is known as Micronesia. Residents of the Philippines have a history of migration to Guam, and today, pansit is often eaten on birthdays and New Year’s Eve.
Our very own staff member Lu has come up with her own pansit recipe! When you make this dish, you can remember all those you support in the Philippines.
Did you know? Chalice ensures children have balanced and nutrient-rich diets by implementing school feeding programs through the support of the Chalice Nutrition Program.
Stories of Inspiration
The youngest of three children, Kurtis is bright and determined to succeed. Kurtis and her family have endured many difficult times through the years, including losing her dear father to kidney failure when she was just a toddler. This placed a huge responsibility on her mother who now had to raise her three children alone on meagre wages as a daily laborer.
The Challenge in Asia
Poorly funded public schools, a lack of qualified teachers and the cost of school uniforms and supplies make it difficult for children to attend school in Asia. Many children are in poor health due to malnutrition. Anemia, stunting, and poor dental health are common ailments.
The Change in Asia
The love of our supporters and the dedicated staff at our sponsor sites have improved the quality of life for families in our sites. First and foremost, our family funding sponsorship model puts funds directly into families' bank accounts every quarter. Having a steady source of funding allows families to budget and plan necessary purchases, while enrolment in a Chalice family circle provides a base of support, education, and encouragement for anything from basic financial literacy to family problems or how to start a small business. Our sites focus on adult training and small business creation using funds from grants, programs, and the gift catalogue to give families the means to succeed. In India, a large sanitation project built hundreds of latrines, which drastically improved the health of thousands of people, while a multi-year child dental program in the Philippines restored hundreds of smiles.
Countries
Chalice has been working with children and seniors in India since 1996, in 10 sites in both rural and urban communities. In the areas where Chalice works, many of the children and families are stigmatized due to caste and tribal affiliation, and HIV/AIDS is endemic. Children with disabilities and conflict refugees likewise face discrimination and have poor access to basic public services such as schools and medical facilities.
Learn more about our work in India
Chalice has been serving children in the Philippines since 1999, and is currently working in three sites in both rural and urban communities. It is difficult for many children to attend school, because public schools are poorly funded and teachers are often under-qualified. The two most urgent issues of children’s health is stunting, which is caused by poor fetal development, and malnutrition.
Chalice has been serving both children and seniors in southwestern Bangladesh since 1998. In the areas where Chalice works, children are encouraged to dropout of school at an early age in to find daily wage work. Young women are often discouraged from pursuing post-secondary education and careers in favor of marriage and running a household. Children and families are also subject to marginalization due to indigenous ethnicity, disabilities or geographical isolation and have poor access to basic public services such as schools and medical facilities. The job market is fiercely competitive, and many parents rely on daily, seasonal labor to earn income.