STICHTING BAYANIHAN

Steunpunt Filipinse Vrouwen in Nederland (Philippine Women Centre in the Netherlands)

VISION

Bayanihan envisions a society

which is free from class, gender and race discrimination;
which gives equal opportunities to everyone to develop his or her potentials;
where women are emancipated and empowered;
which recognizes thecontributions of migrant women to its development of a more humane and culturally diverse nation.

Bayanihan is a self-help women organization. It was established as a foundation in 1991 in response to the needs and requests for help and assistance by Filipinas in the Netherlands. It is a centre not only for Filipinas who are in problem-situations but also for those who need assistance for self-development to make their lives as Filipina migrants more meaningful and self-fulfilling.

Bayanihan believes that by helping identify the root causes of the problems migrant Filipinas are confronted with, wether within a bi-cultural relationship or in a work situation, they will be able to take positive actions to introduce changes for the improvement of their lives. Furthermore, Bayanihan believes that through its programmes and activities, it is able to stimulate the empowerment and emancipation of Filipina residents in the Netherlands.

OBJECTIVES

Bayanihan aims to bring forth the empowerment and emancipation of Filipina migrant women in the Nethelands towards a more meaningful and wholesome life.

1. To give support and assistance to Filipinas in the netherlands who are confronted with problems on the psycho-social, cultural and legal areas;

2. To identify the root causes of the problems Filipinas are confronted with to be able to present alternatives and provide preventive measures

3. To stimulate Filipinas to develop skills to be able to improve their situation towards self-empowerment;

4. To promote the Filipina cultural identity and the same time encourage integration and participation of Filipinas in a multi-cultural Dutch society.

" Together we are strong. Filipinas for Filipinas."

PROGRAMMES

1. Social Services Assistance. One of the main reasons why Bayanihan was established is to assist Filipinas who are confronted with psycho-social, cultural, and legal problems. This assistance may range from practical tips to intensive guidance and counseling.

Crisis Intervention. This is for Filipinas who are in various problem situations and who are in need of immediate and direct help. These problems are usuallly partner-related and involve physical, mental and emotional violence.

Telephone Help-line. A separate telephone line is devoted entirely for the calls of Filipinas who need information, immediate help or who just would like to talk about the situation through the telephone.

Follow-up Support Activities. These are directed towards Filipinas who have been helped by Bayanihan and who need follow-up support and guidance as they try to, slowly but surely, get their lives back together.

Special Support Services to Au Pairs. This services is to give information to filipina Au pairs about the rights and to help them overcome in their difficult cultural and social adjustments in the Netherlands

2. Networking, Lobby and Advocacy. Bayanihan does lobby and advocacy work on issues such as migration laws, independent residence permits for women, working conditions, welfare and health services, and equal job opportunities. Lobby work is done towards government institutions, policy-making bodies, trade union federations, Dutch welfare and health institutions and the Philippine embassy. Bayanihan is active in networking with other women and migrant organizations. It is also a member of various Philippine women networks in the Netherlands and on the European level.

3. Information, Research and Documentation. Bayanihan disseminates information on the situation of Filipinas here and the causes of their migration from the Philippines; conducts and initiates researches and surveys on issues which concern its target groups, and compiles and publishes primers and pamphlets on existing laws regarding foreigners, marriage to a Dutch partner, divorce, social security laws and au pairs rights.

4. Education and Training, Bayanihan conducts trainings and seminars for its target groups. It utilizes resource persons and trainors who are experts on the subject matter and those who have concrete experiences on specific cases.

NETWORK OF VOLUNTEERS

Bayanihan has a network of volunteers in major places in the Netherlands. They provide the first level of contact for Filipinas in crisis situation who need direct assistance i.e. emotional support and counseling.

HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH BAYANIHAN

For Information, call the office 030-2364948 every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 until 16:00 For Social Services/Crisis Intervention, call Help-line 030-2400878, Monday to Thursday from 10:00 until 16:00

Visit the Office by taking bus no.8 direction Overvecht NS. Get off at bus stop Witte-vrouwenbrug, cross the street towards bridge, then turn right. The building at the end of the street on your left is MEC.

You can also take bus no.4 direction F. Andrealaan. Get off at bus stop Witte-vrouwenbrug/Bilstraat, walk back towards the bridge, then proceed as above.

BAYANIHAN - ROTTERDAM

It is a Bayanihan support group which provides services and assistance to Filipinas in the Rotterdam-Rijnmond area. Tel/fax: 010-2731458/4862 429

"Sa kapit-kapit balikat, walang mabigat: Pilipina para sa Pilipina."

Address:  Multicultureel  Emancipatie Centrum (MEC)
                 Wittevrouwenkade 6
3512 CR  Utrecht

Tel/fax:  030- 2364948
HELP LINE : O30-2400878

Postbank:  6172781
 KvK:  41184893

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