Small-lending project in San Jose del Monte
In 1997, MARE Foundation donated a small amount for a "small lending project" of the San Jose del Monte chapter ni Bulacan. The members immediately organized a cooperative and use their capital and shares for a re-lending business. The chapter members agreed to allow member-borrow- ers to avail themselves of the micro-lending program based on a "share and capacity to pay" scheme.
From an initial membership of 205 members headed by Dra. Isabelita S. Roquero, the MARE chapter has increased to over 2,000 members, mostly women.
The program triggered the setting up of small businesses like sari-sari stores, Basahan making, food processing, and vending products. With their money earning 1.5 percent monthly in interest, the cooperation is now considered one of the most successful multi-purpose cooperatives in Bulacan. In less than five years, total assets reached P500,000.
The secret of their success: unity, cooperation, communication, and commitment to the organization.
Hermosa's 'Piggy bank sa barangay'
The Mare Hermosa Ladies Circle raffled piglets to prospective beneficiaries after they organized the group in 23 barangays covering the municipality of Hermosa.
The "Piggy Bank sa Barangay" project was one of the initial ventures of the 200 members headed by Lucia V. Ferrer after they organized their group in 1996 to "instill and promote camaraderie and friendship" in the town.
In due time, the pigs were sold and a portion of the profit were used to buy new piglets for other beneficiaries. The MARE Foundation donated additional capital to the organization, which later expanded its livelihood programs into other business ventures.
At present, they are raising 32 hogs, and the MARE membership has increased to over 2,800 members in Hermosa. Part of their funds were used to construct an artesian well in one of the barangays.
Hog Raising Project
MARE Iriga, Camarines Sur Chapter
One of the most successful livelihood projects implemented by MARE was its Hog-raising project in Iriga, Camarines Sur. Sen. Loi Estrada inaugurated the project on November 2001 by awarding 25 hogs to its local MARE members. These animals were raised and distributed to various communities.
Through their perseverance and support in MARE'sgoals, these groups of women volunteers were given a chance to start their own livelihood project together with the Foundation. Organized by MARE Coordinator Josie Verona, the people gave full support to MARE's projects and its mission to helping women and the communities. Her dedication as a MARE leader gave the people hope and inspired them to continue extending a helping hand to neigh- bors, especially those in need.
Today, the project continues to expand since majority of the hogs already gave birth, and these numerous piglets are being distributed to other beneficiaries.
Milestones
Emerging as one of the biggest NGOs
ONE of the breakthroughs of MARE Foundation, Inc. is the tremendous increase of its membership throughout the country. Accomplishment of MARE's pro-poor programs and services spread like wildfire. Requests for membership and affiliation were continuous. Many individuals and organizations volunteered MARE's projects and help provide services to the people.
During the past five year, MARE now has a total of over 3 million members nationwide. A significant increase in its membership was seen through MARE's implementation of social services in rural provinces and in remote areas through- out the country during its formative years. Join- ing MARE is purely voluntary and charges no amount whatsoever. Many of our Filipino brothers and sisters eagerly extended a helping hand to the less fortunate.
No doubt, MARE has emerged as one of the biggest non-government organizations in the country in terms of membership and its widespread delivery of basic social services for the poor.
The secret to MARE's success is the prevail- Ing concept of camaraderie. bavanihan. volunteerism, and a self-reliant Filipino community composed of the different sectors and partner organizations around the country.
MARE’s First Medical Mission
It was in March 1997 when MARE Foundation conducted its first Medical Mission in Manaoag, Pangasinan. Over five hundred families benefited from the outreach program, through its medical services and free medicines with the help of volunteer doctors and donations from Dr. Floro Brosas and their families.
The event became very successful and indeed fulfilling. It inspired MARE to implement more health programs and services in depressed communities around the country. MARE became one of the first NGOs to pioneer numerous free medical/dental services and health programs nationwide.
With the Foundation's wide range of affiliates and co-partners in the field of health services, the dream of extending social services even to the farthest places of the country will not be impossible to attain.
MARE believes in the formula of volunteerism, dedication, and willpower in helping less fortunate Filipinos. This is why we encourage more volunteer doctors, health practitioners, and welfare agents to join us in MARE's crusade.
The Dialysis Center was primarily equipped with five units of Baxter Dialysis machines, which has now expanded to a total of 9 and serving more patients. Since its operations in July 1999 up to the present, the Dialysis Center for the Poor has given treatment to around 6,000 patients. It has given the less fortunate patient, suffering from a kidney ailment, the privilege of a free ten-session treatment that will last for five months giving the patient a chance for a healthier life.
It is truly a very remarkable achievement for the Foundation to pilot such a project, which may be considered one of the very few treatment facilities in the country that offers free service and treatment, especially to indigent patients.
First Medical-Dental-Surgical Mission in Occidental Mindoro
MARE Foundation, Inc. ni cooperation with the Office of the First Lady, conducted its first medi- cal, dental and surgical mission to the indigenous mangyans of Mindoro on April 9-11, 1999.
Surgical Mission was conducted at the San Jose District Hospital in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. Most cases done were thyroidectomy, herniorrhaphy, cholecystectomy, parotidectomy, gyne, cleft lip and palate and mino incissions/ excissions.
Significantly, there was a high number of bilat- eral tubal ligation because of the awareness of women need for less number of children in the family.
Information dissemination on family programs was also emphasized during the medical mission. A total of 181 major and minor surgical cases were performed, more than 3,000 out-patients were given medical attention and 300 dental extractions were also conducted.
Rotary Club of Makati and Pugad Lawn San Jose chapter joined in this activity.
First In-House Surgical and Medical Mission by a Foreign Volunteer Group - the Norwegian- American Medical Alliance Group
A team of American medical practitioners from the Norwegian-American Medical Alliance group, an international volunteer group of medical practitioners, led by D.r Norman H. Dahl, ni coordination with the UP-Philippine General Hospital conducted a first major in-house surgical mission from October to November 1999.
This mission was sponsored by the MARE Foundation and supported by the KABAKA Foundation, another local NGO.
Medical consultations were done at the PGH grounds on the first day of the mission. Continuous medical consultation and health education were conducted on weekends in the different underserved areas of Manila. Surgical procedures were done both by the PGH surgery residents and consultants and by the Norwegian-American team.
But due to a lack of some special medical equipment, some special cases such as cardiac and other congenital diseases were sent to the United States for further medical/surgical treatment, sponsored by the Norwegian group. A total of 480 surgical patients benefited from the mission along with 5,000 others from the outreach program in various depressed areas of Manila.
The foreign volunteer group went to Cebu for another medical and surgical mission as well.
Dra. Loi's first Birthday with MARE: A Party with the Masses
TRANSITION FROM AN ASSOCIATION TO A FOUNDATION
Held in June 1997, it was the first birthday celebration of Dr. Loi Estrada with the MARE Foundation. Surprisingly, she decided to celebrate her birthday and MARE's existence with the masses by distributing relief goods to depressed communities in Barangay Simona,
Taytay, Rizal. D.r Estrada personally headed the distribution to around a thousand families who were given bags of goods containing rice, canned- goods, milk, sugar, and other food items.
It was a festive event for the people of Taytay who did not expect to be visited by Dr. Estrada. The feeling of excitement and overwhelming joy spread in the area as they all gave their thanks to her and the MARE Foundation.
Later in the day, MARE headed to Bacoor, Cavite to distribute more relief goods. Over 500 families were given goods and the same feeling was felt through the presence of the people.
AFTER implementing various "pro-people" projects and health programs, MARE finally registered as a Foundation on Sept. 7, 2001.
During its first three years of operation as an association, MARE has proven itself to evolve at a higher level of social organization.
MARE Foundation, Inc. continued expanding its mission and goals within the context of social development, guided that with a wide-spread capabilities of extending help for the poor significant changes can be attained in the lives of underprivileged Filipinos.
Signing of M.O.A. between MARE and EPPFI
A formal signing of a Memorandum of Agreement was held between the MARE Foundation, Inc. and the Erap Partnerships For the Poor Foundation, Inc. (EPPFI) on May 29, 2002. The MOA provides that MARE is assisted with sufficient funds to implement micro-lending projects. Sen. Luisa "Loi" Ejercito Estrada led MARE Board and members in witnessing this event as presidents of both foundations signed the agreement.
It was truly a significant event for MARE to enable the Foundation to spearhead another project for the poor aside from its continuous medical relief services, livelihood, and other MARE-supported projects.