Our Goals. What we can do.
Being a small group aware of our limitations, we have modest goals. But with great confidence, we can do the following well, in an efficient manner, without the added costs associated with administration.
We are capable of building up to one house a week for the homeless.
We can manage the education of up to ten young disadvantaged people.
We can manage the training of up to ten workers a year in skills to enhance their employment and livelihood opportunities.
The Costs.
At present, a basic house for the homeless costs around AU$2300.00 (around Php90,000.00).
To educate a young person costs around AU$1000.00 (around Php40,000.00) on average a year, depending on the course they will take.
- To train a worker and provide basic tools will cost around AU$300.00 (around Php12,000.00).
THE STARFISH STORY
While walking along a beach, an elderly gentleman saw someone in the distance leaning down, picking something up and throwing it into the ocean.
As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, picking up starfish one by one and tossing each one gently back into the water.
He came closer still and called out, "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing? The young man paused, looked up and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."
The old man smiled , and said, "I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" To this the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."
Upon hearing this, the elderly observer commented, "But young man, do you not realise that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"
The young man listened politely . Then he bent down , picked up another starfish, threw it back into the ocean past the breaking waves and said, "It made a difference for that one."
adapted from 'The Star Thrower', by Loren Eiseley (1907-1977)
The above story pretty much sums up what we are all about. We don't have dreams of changing the world, but if we can make a small part of it a better place for someone, a better place for a fellow human being with the same dreams, hopes and fears just like ourselves, then we have done well.