Animations for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

Stariway kids learn circus tricks

Witnessing a circus is a rare spectacle here in the Philippines, but on December 28-29, Stairway kids along with the local community and tourists welcomed the Circus von Krigenbaum from Denmark. Performing death defying feats of acrobatics added wonderful spice to the merriment of the holidays. Aside from the performances, the performers gave workshops to the kids, teaching them the basics of: juggling, spinning plates, riding unicycles, walking on stilts and rope tricks. As a Christmas gift to Stairway and the children, they donated a whole lot of equipment to the Foundation.
Thank you, Circus von Krigenbaum!

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Season's Greetings!

Thank you friends and supporters for your continued love and support. May your holidays be shining and bright, full of peace, love and hope.

Our Climate, Our Children, Our Choice

Our Climate, Our Children, Our Choice Former street children from Stairway Foundation, Iraya children from the local indigenous community and students from the International School Manila gathered in Stairway Foundation for the annual ICARE service learning program. Coinciding with the United Nations Climate Change Conference held last Dec. 7-Dec. 18 in Copenhagen, Denmark, we focused this year's ICARE theme on climate change. Throughout the week, the young people discussed different climate issues as seen from their point of view and how they are related to children's rights. The young people delved into various creative activities and produced striking works of art and videos that related to climate change issues. Despite the differences in socioeconomic backgrounds, language and culture, the young people found a common ground and managed to create bridges of understanding and respect and forged unique bonds of friendship.

A Celebration of Human Rights Day through Red Leaves Falling

Kawit, Cavite, December 10, 2009: In celebration of Human Rights Day, the Cavite Convenor of the Philippine Against Child Trafficking invited Stairway Foundation for a film showing of its latest animation, Red Leaves Falling. Attended by more than 100 people, which included: 6th grade students, their teachers, their principal, and local government officials, the event involved a brief orientation about RA 9208 or the anti-trafficking law, showing of Red Leaves Falling, and an online safety orientation session for the children. There was an overwhelming response to the animation by the students according to Ace Diloy, SFI's advocacy officer. After the screening, the students said they now understand the issue more as Red Leaves Falling showed them how trafficking can happen to children like them, and how children can be victimized through pornography.

Philippines enacts law against child pornography

PUERTO GALERA, 23 November 2009-- The Philippine government provides greater protection for children against child pornography with the signing into law of Republic Act 9775, also known as the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009, by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last week. This landmark legislation provides the full legal armor against producers, transmitters, sellers and users of child pornography in whatever form and means of production, dissemination and consumption, in public and private spaces.

Stairway conducts US Peace Corps Volunteers’ workshop on Child Sexual Abuse Prevention

Last November, Stairway conducted the first ever training of US Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) to the Philippines in a two-day child sexual abuse prevention training workshop. Stairway resource persons facilitated the two-day session for thirty Child, Youth and Family Sector PCVs and their Philippine counterparts for 2009. The Peace Corps Volunteers have committed themselves to two years of service for Philippine organizations working with marginalized Filipino children, youth and families. The volunteers participated in discussions and group workshops that examined gender and age biases, explored issues surrounding child sexual abuse and exploitation, built skills in empowering children against abuses and communicating with survivors, and reviewed relevant local and international laws.

Freedom from want, freedom from fear, freedom to live in dignity, and the Environment

Red Leaves Falling, a story of Child pornography and Child sex trafficking, Stairway's third animated feature, will be screened at the We the Peoples Film Festival 2009 on 19 November 2009 and from 23-30 November 2009. At the heart of this year's festival will be the Three Pillars of Freedom - freedom from want, freedom from fear and the freedom to live in dignity, and the environment. The festival has contributions from development agencies, UN agencies, international filmmakers, policy makers and think tanks.

Alongside this innovative screening program of films from around the world, the festival will also feature panel discussions following film screenings.

Students find it necessary to learn about child sexual abuse prevention

Anna is just one of the several students that undergo CSAP sessions done by the local Social Welfare and Development office in Silang, Cavite using Stairway's animations. The said sessions started when several stakeholders from the municipality, including the local Social Welfare and Development office, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Police attended a CSAP training, wherein, they all agreed that this is something that should be actively advocated in the locality.

National Children's Month Celebration: Smiles all around for Stairway Kids

Stairway kids have good reason to smile in this October month where witches and goblins come out to haunt. October is national Children's Month--a time to celebrate Filipino children in recognizing them as the most valuable asset of the nation, with inalienable rights and as contributing members of the society.

Stairway kids celebrated this momentous occasion with a plethora of activities throughout the month which culminated in a creative show case of their skills and talents.

Peace Corps Response Volunteer on a 6-month residency with Stairway Foundation

Mary O'Connor, a New York City-based architect, is Stairway's first Peace Corps Response Volunteer. In less than a year after we had submitted a request to the Peace Corps, was Mary standing on our door step with tools in hand, ready to face the challenge of transforming the old stage, "the heart of Stairway," into a new, more dynamic performance space. Completion of the new stage is scheduled for early December, in time to celebrate Human Rights Day (Dec. 10) with Stairway kids and youth from the International School Manila. View images