Dropouts and lepers

A survey made by the Asian Development Bank revealed that of the total number of Filipino children who start elementary school, only a little more than half (68 percent) ever get to finish it. A very large number drop out after Grade I or II.

The reasons for dropping out are many. But one very important reason is financial. Although theoretically public school education is supposed to be free, there are hidden costs that many poor people cannot afford (uniforms, handbags, notebooks and other supplies, daily allowance, etc.).

To help address that situation, a French Jesuit, a former missionary in China, has organized a Foundation called ERDA (Educational Research and Development Foundation Inc.). In the 26 years between its founding in 1974 and the year 2000, more than 100,000 children have been thus helped.

One of their programs is to organize preschool classes in poor communities. From 1977 to 2000, a total of 1,627 such classes have been organized from which 60,051 children have graduated.

ERDA has other programs: A center to help street children; a program to help child scavengers; a health program; a "continuing education program."

A very important program of ERDA is called FAHAN to help in the treatment and rehabilitation of "Hansenite patients" (lepers). The number of persons with leprosy who have been helped is as follows:

Health education: 64,422

Medicine assistance: 44,443

Referrals: 2,933

Skills training program: 5,658 graduates

Capital loan assistance: 228

Job placement: 106

Emergency assistance: 3,803 patients

Home visits: 41,981

ERDA is governed by a Board of Trustees with eleven members, of whom seven are lay men and women and four are Jesuits. The founder and president is a French Jesuit, former missionary in China, now a naturalized Filipino citizen, Father Pierre Tritz. This year he is celebrating 70 years as a Jesuit.

To Father Tritz and to his co-workers, our grateful congratulations.

For those interested, ERDA’s mailing address is: P.O. Box 3600, Manila CPO 1076.

Telefax: 732-7815/743-0382/732-3198

Email: [email protected]