Camarines Sur Area Program

Program Type

Community Development

Planned Life Cycle

2012 - 2027

Location

Philippines

Areas of Focus

Livelihoods  | Education 

Program Timeline

Status: Active

Progress

959youth participated in life skills training through World Vision programs

Progress

592people participated in activities aimed at supporting child protection and ending violence against children

Progress

427people were trained in business and entrepreneurial skills, including financial literacy and income-generating activities

A white jeep driving through a muddy path, featuring a rainbow and trees in the background.

Program Details

Context

The Camarines Sur community is located approximately 450 km from Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Out of 44 provinces in the country, the area is ranked as the third poorest. Located in the typhoon belt of the country, people's work is severely hampered by the typhoons and flooding that occur for half the year from June to December.

Residents of Camarines Sur are mostly farmers and fishermen. Close to 60% of the total land area is used for agriculture. Major crops include rice, coconut, cassava, vegetables, abaca, sugarcane, coffee, and tropical fruits. The area is also surrounded by vast aquatic resources and fishing grounds.

Families here earn less than half of the minimum amount required for survival, as estimated by the Filipino government. This prevents them from meeting their basic needs. People experience limited access to basic social services, a lack of facilities, minimal government support, and little community participation in local development activities.

...
Challenges
Education
Children in Camarines Sur often perform poorly in school due to the many challenges that prevent them from receiving a quality education. Inadequate school facilities, parents inability to pay for school fees, and outdated learning materials all contribute to the problem. Teachers often lack the skills and training to properly motivate their students.

Many households have no electricity, and the poor lighting makes it difficult for students to do their homework after school. Children also have to look after younger siblings or help their parents with their work. These extra responsibilities often lead to a high rate of student absenteeism. Many children choose to drop out of school altogether to work in order to augment their family's income.

Students don't usually continue their education past elementary school because of the lack of higher-level institutions in the area. Alternative learning and trade schools are all far away and transportation costs are high. As a result, it is difficult for children to further their education and obtain skills that will help them gain employment.

Health Care
Infant and maternal mortality rates are high, and are due to the lack of local medical facilities and trained personnel. Health centres do not have enough medicine, and although herbal remedies are available, people do not have enough knowledge about their proper use for them to be effective. Coughs and colds often affect children's health.

Food
There is a significant incidence of infant and child malnutrition in Camarines Sur. Families often struggle to provide enough food for their children, and parents lack nutrition education. The community regularly experiences a lean season from June to September. Many children under the age of five are underweight, and, in certain areas of the community, more than 90% of children are malnourished.

Water and Sanitation
Diarrhea is prevalent and problematic among children in the community. This is mainly because a significant number of families do not have access to potable drinking water or sanitary toilets.

Economic Development
Income generation and crop production in Camarines Sur are hampered by many factors. Unpredictable natural disasters, such as typhoons and heavy rains, are the primary problems affecting farmers. Modern equipment that would increase crop yields is very expensive, and famers lack the necessary capital to expand their businesses.

Additionally, farmers lack quality seeds and planting materials, and regularly face defective irrigation facilities, pests, and the spread of disease. Families are not well educated about increasing their earnings at market, and the government provides very little support.
...
Plans
Education
To ensure children can access and benefit from quality education, World Vision will assist the community to:
  • Partner with the Department of Education and the local government to improve the local educational system.
  • Ensure all children can attend school.
  • Encourage parents to value, support, and prioritize their children's education.
  • Enhance the abilities of community leaders and teachers to access resources to improve learning facilities and equipment.

Health Care
With the partnership of Canadian sponsors and the community, World Vision will work to:
  • Teach parents about the available health services and how to access them, especially government initiated health programs.

Food
In partnership with families and sponsors, World Vision will work with the community to:
  • Conduct training for families and local health care practitioners about preparing nutritious foods from locally available sources, diversifying foods, and fortifying foods with nutrients.

Economic Development
To ensure parents in Camarines sur can provide for their families, World Vision will partner with the community to:
  • Identify and diversify alternative income-generating activities.
  • Promote the value of family savings.
  • Train farmers in improved production practices in order to increase their crop yields.
  • Assist fishermen to increase their catch, as well as advocate for fair and beneficial marketing systems.
  • Introduce natural farming techniques to increase production and income while also protecting the environment from harmful pollutants.
...
An image of children sitting on the ground in a classroom, writing in workbooks.

Results

Unless otherwise stated, data presented on this page reflects the most up-to-date results of World Vision Canada programs reported between October 2022 and September 2023, and any previous fiscal years available. Previously reported data may not match the current presentation as we continuously receive and refine data from our programs. If you have any questions, kindly reach out to us.