IOHSAD celebrates Christmas with Kids of Tondo

The Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Development (IOHSAD) in cooperation with Community Response through Enlightened Social Transformation (CREST) celebrated a Christmas party with Kids from Tondo, Manila last December 20, 2008. The party was held inside the San Agustin Seminary in Intramuros Manila. More than 100 kids enjoyed the games, prizes and food prepared for them.

“Many of the kids are children of informal workers surviving on the dump site in Smokey Mountain II located in Vitas, Tondo Manila,” explained Noel Colina, Executive Director of IOHSAD. “But some of the participants, despite their very young age, are already working by scavenging recyclable materials and selling them to recycling centers to help their parents make end meet.”

According to Colina, they deviated from previous holiday celebrations which involves only the staff members of IOHSAD. “We wanted not only for the staff to enjoy but we also wanted to involve our partners in to community, most especially the kids. We should not forget that Christmas really is for kids to enjoy.”

After the games, all the kids were given their Christmas presents composed of toys and food. The activity was supported by the Australian People for Health, Education and Development Abroad (APHEDA).