St. Hannibal Empowerment Centre

St. Hannibal Empowerment Center (SHEC) is a religious organization of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus. It is a community of Spirit-led persons which aims to follow Jesus Christ in his union with his Father and in his proclamation of the kingdom of God. It is an inserted community among the squatters. The goal of SHEC is to empower the poor people of Metro Manila, Philippines, through housing, livelihood, education, health, waste management, youth and values formation.

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Location: Pasay City, Metro Manila

Mission: Its mission is to empower the poorest of the poor and catalyze an integral Christian transformation of urban poor communities in collaboration with the local Church by a holistic process that addresses concerns on housing, livelihood, education, health, environment and sanitation, justice and peace, youth formation and values formation. The goals of SHEC consist of assisting in alleviating poverty among urban poor communities in Pasay and other cities in Metro Manila; and building the foundation of community transformation through intensive values formation. Its objectives are, specifically, to facilitate the organization and formation of people’s organization that are self-sufficient and empowered, facilitate the values and spiritual formation and capability building of urban poor leaders, to assist the urban poor / informal settlers of Pasay and other cities in Metro Manila in realizing their dreams of achieving security of tenure through in-city relocation, to facilitate the implementation of economic programs and basic social services in urban poor communities, and to facilitate access to formal education in favor of the poor and deserving students.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

September Highlights

Rogate: Unfailing Faith and Trust in God Amidst Trials. In empowering the poor of his time, St. Hannibal went through many challenges. He felt frustrations. There were moments when his spirit was dampened. Of these, he wrote: “Often I have knocked on iron doors in vain, atrocity has been my verdict, get out of here, you person insane, suffer the pain for doing your bit.” 

These were but normal and ordinary about being human. Even Jesus experienced deep anguish (see Mk) But, like in the case of Jesus, ordinary pains became extraordinary religious experiences for St. Hannibal because he lived in God’s embrace. He never failed to trust in God, no matter how uncertain things seemed. This is likewise the kind of faith we find in St. Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint, whose feast we celebrate in the month of September. It is also the kind of faith embraced by the SHEC community as they struggle for a more humane world in their daily existence.
Phase 2 General Assembly. In a general assembly held at the phase 2 housing site last Sept. 4, 2011, the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), through Ms Jane Duque, discussed the restructuring and condonation program with the HOA2 officers, George Espin and the Phase 2 beneficiaries. Also, questions and concerns pertinent to the program were addressed. To work for decent homes for the poor has been one of the greatest struggles in promoting justice in the Philippines. Nonetheless, with ongoing dialogue and cooperation, the dream of homes for the poor continues to be much closer to realization. 
Welcome, Beneficiaries! Last  Sept. 9, 2011, George Espin and the HOA 2 officers conducted an orientation/meeting with the second batch of newly accepted beneficiaries. The progress of the housing project is a cause of rejoicing. For indeed it is a manifestation that justice continues to flow on the land! 
All for Mother Creation. To acquire/enhance knowledge and skills in proper waste disposal, SHEC, through the initiative of Fr. Orville Cajigal, RCJ, conducted a solid waste management training last Sept. 11, 2011 at the St. Hannibal Training Center, Malibay, Pasay City. This was attended by 47 participants, with Josie Satajo, Nelyn Balbalosa, Anabella Lagaran, Emmanuel Henon, Marilyn Pogoy as facilitators. Truly, activities for the care and integrity of creation is an essential aspect of Jesus’ and the Church’s mission. This should be more sharply realized especially with the recent ecological calamities.

Attitude Check. A kingdom worker ought to be Christ-like in terms of commitment, character and dedication. As part of fraternal camaraderie among SHEC employees, and to constantly remind themselves of being configured to Christ always, the employees underwent a work attitude evaluation last Sept. 21, 2011 at the SHEC office.  Self-improvement is an on-going process, which is why evaluations are opportunities for growth, for the betterment of the self and, consequently, of the services rendered for the Kingdom of God.