The Philippines

Who were we working with?

Oaktree partnered with three organisations in the Phillipines: International Needs Australia, International Needs The Philippines and the Kabayani Youth Movement. Together we have established a computer training centre, SCCAP, in The Philippines.

Where did we work?

Barangay Parang is a densely populated city in The Philippines. The area suffers from high rate of school dropouts, largely because most families cannot afford to send their children through secondary education. In 2003, there were 15 000 out-of-school youth. The associated problems of poverty and poor skill development are further compounded by urban drift, with rural migration to the cities creating an influex of unskilled labour. There is therefore a desperate need for training and employment opportunities in Barangay Parang, in order to lift the people out of the poverty cycle and provide the chance for better living standards and avenues for involvement with their community.

What did we do?

Oaktree and its partners funded a computer training centre (SCCAP) to provide both vocational and academic education to young people from the Barangay Parang area through computer literacy programs and other courses. It has the capacity to train 160 people in computer programming each year (80 at a basic level and 80 at an advanced level).

The training programs are designed in accordance with a government curriculum, so the graduate qualifications are widely recognised. The courses include fundamentals of computer operation and keyboarding; software application; operating system with data recovering and viruses; system analysis design; and data communication. The course also includes basics of financial management, marketing and entrepreneurship. This means that the students are provided with the skills to either find employment or to establish their own business.

The computer centre SCCAP acts as an internet café and public computer centre after hours. This provides an ongoing source of income, meaning that the project has been financially self-sufficient from July 2005, the end of its initial 3-month establishment period. Its extensive patronage is probably due to its prominent and accessible location.

What was Oaktree’s role?

Oaktree participated in the project as a major financial supporter. Our engagement began in March 2005 with the establishment of the centre, with SCCAP officially opening in July of that year. Oaktree completed its financial commitment in July 2006, but remains in contact with its partners and participants. SCCAP will continue to be managed by our partners until at least 2010.