As President of Pipit Fund Inc. I am looking forward to adequately funding all the goals, missions and projects we set to accomplish for 2004. We have categorized our missions into four major outreach:

With the advice of the Scholarship Committee in the Philippines, we have increased our High School Scholars from 29 to 50 students. In 2004, two (2) college students will be added and 2 students taking up vocational courses, that totals eleven (11) college scholars in the Philippines and one (1) in the United States. We also hope to explore Vocational Education Options for non- college bound students in Calamba, such as Hotel Management, Beauticians, Fisheries, Computer Learning were suggested from the members. One task that scholars could establish for the benefit of the whole community is a yearly Tree Planting Campaign, in light of the December mudslide disaster in Leyte, Tree Planting would prevent soil erosion, reduce air pollution, reduce global warming and provide shades and encourage bird and wild life.

We will continue two (2) shipments of books for the four (4) Barangays a year. We will write letters of appeal to the book stores and manufacturers, continue to gathers books from Friends of the Library and Carnivals and pickup books donated by Presbyterian Church Members. Our February trip to the Philippines will allow us to assess the efficiency and utilization of the Neighborhood Library. We will support with materials / books the Public Elementary and High School. We will explore our resources for meeting the individual Barangay Council’s request for computer, xerox machine and day care books.

With starting construction of a new two story Church Library and Learning Center, Pipit Fund Inc. will explore using part of the space as a Computer and Vocational Leaning Center. We have received a request for 16 new worship pews for the new sanctuary. One goal in our anticipated February 2004 visit to the Philippines is to assess the Church Library and the nursing books for the scholars, so we can be more specific on our selection in response to their needs. In July, we will begin to appeal for toys to friends and Presbyterian Church in Chinatown and possibly toy retailers. In supporting the scholars and Church Vocational Program, we will purchase or solicit donation on a number of manual and electric typewriters and computers. One of the goal too is to provide skill training opportunities for out of school youth and non-college bound students.

A big challenge in 2004 , will be the Sucol Cooperative reconstituting under the UCCP-Sucol umbrella. The women are excited about the micro-credit “ Save and Loan Lending Cooperative” patterned after a pilot church run-cooperative from Infanta, Quezon, Philippines. We could inquire at IDEX regarding business models and teaching materials to assist their efforts.

Construction begun in February on donated land adjacent to the church library. A two story structure we envisioned a library on the ground floor and a computer learning center on the second floor containing 10-15 computers. Both corporate and individual donations of computers will be sought. Tutors for the center will be both local volunteers and US volunteers.

We will continue to collect toys for yearly Children’s Christmas Party all year round. Shipment should be completed by end of October to reach the Philippines by ship in time for Christmas. Our goal is to raise 200 toys for the needy children of the barrios. This year we will appeal also to the toy stores and manufacturers for additional supplies.

The elementary school asked for curriculum and work books in Math, Science and English. We will be writing to US Schools for discarded materials at the end of school years. The high school wanted novels, science posters, books and science experimental instrument and equipment.

In 2004, we completed our initial appeal letter to the Filipino Community. In addition, we will expand our out-reach to Corporate Grants and Toy and Book Retailers. Another area is presentations to Presbyterian and Filipino Churches. Outreach can also be done by participating at Pistahan or Filipino Festivals at Yerba Buena and Cameron Carnival. We look forward to sponsoring our first Dinner Dance Fund Raiser in May of 2004. We will also update our supporters with expanded newsletter and fund appeal in the summer or fall. Finally, we are looking at ways to expand the Board of Directors and Membership of the Pipit Fund Inc-USA.