Programs : TRANSFORM PROGRAM

The goal of Transform is to bring permanent change to the lives of those living in poverty. For one year, ICM comes alongside 25 of most vulnerable families in 150 communities to make a real difference in individual lives. Transform is extended to the 25 families determined to be the most vulnerable in the community. ICM targets families who live below the Philippine subsistence standard of Php27 (USD0.54) per day.

Permanent change is only possible if the needs of the whole person are addressed -- physical, emotional, spiritual and economic. Hosted by a partnering church in a poor urban slum or rural village, the recipient families participate in classes to improve values, hygiene and health awareness, money management and livelihood opportunities. Each week they receive food supplements to help meet their needs. The entire community receives medical care throughout the year. The host church provides a new community for the families, bringing the encouragement of friendship and a sustained network of emotional, social and spiritual support.

In 2009/10, the Transform Program is offered to 150 partnering churches and their communities. The benefits below are extended to the 25 most vulnerable families in each slum, affecting nearly 20,000 people.

• Six months of weekly Values, Health Care and Livelihood (VHL) classes (see below)
• Six months of weekly food supplements (2kg of rice each week per family)
• Bi-monthly (for one year) medical clinics open to the entire community (see below)
• Six months of livelihood follow-up after completion of VHL course
• Birth and marriage certificate assistance - documents needed to enroll children in schools and to participate in government assistance programs.

VHL Curriculum

ICM is excited to introduce our Values, Health and Livelihood (VHL) course. This course is designed to address the needs of the whole person – emotional, spiritual, physical and economic.

• Values Education
  - This valuable course emphasizes the importance of strong values for personal growth and provides opportunity for people to consider how Biblical principles relate to their personal lives.
• Health Education
  - This UN-approved curriculum covers such important topics as healthy hygiene practices, disease recognition/prevention, nutrition, immunizations, breast feeding, child care, and first aid.
• Livelihood Training
  - Hands-on course where students produce organic soil, grow personal vegetable gardens, learn viable livelihood options, small business essentials and family financial basics. Participants receive individual follow-up throughout the year to help ensure the success of their vegetable gardens and budding businesses.

Medical Clinics

As a component of the Transform Program, ICM brings six open air medical clinics (OACs) to a Transform community over the course of the year-long program. ICM’s medical professionals see about 75 patients over the course of the day-long clinics, providing medical assessments, free medicines as needed, counseling and free referrals to doctors who volunteer their services for more serious cases.

Microfinance

Historically, microfinance programs fail for those without an already-existing small business. In partnership with the Center for Community Transformation (CCT), ICM has piloted a new program to help the ultra-poor develop successful business initiatives. After our first year, we are excited to report a 99% success rate in five communities.

In 2009/10, ICM will extend this new program to recipients of all 30 Transform and 10 Preschool+ partnerships in our Negros Occidental region. That’s over 1,000 potential livelihoods!

ICM plans to continue its expansion of this program and next year hopes to offer a livelihood to more than 5,000 families!

Program highlights

• Participation in a Transform or Preschool+ VHL curriculum
• Livelihood focus on money management and how to run a small business
• 8-week Php2,000 interest free loans are extended to start new businesses after 6 months in the VHL program
• With successful repayment, new 10-week, Php3,000 low-interest loan is extended
• After successful repayment, the borrower is invited to enter into CCT’s normal microfinance program for small business entrepreneurs.
• Types of small businesses: Sari-sari store, Barbeque stand, Laundry detergent production, child care, food production and sales.