ReachOut Foundation International
Encyclopedia
ReachOut Foundation International originated in 1990 when a group of theater and movie artists joined together to stage the play, Divine Miss M.
The play was about a Filipino who died of AIDS
and was staged to help bring awareness to the AIDS problem in the Philippines.
It eventually led to the first AIDS organization in the Philippines
, ReachOut AIDS Education.
ReachOut strategically evolved into a reproductive health service organization.
In 1997, the foundation was renamed as ReachOut Reproductive Health Foundation.
In 200, the foundation was renamed to, ReachOut Foundation International.
, Pasay, Angeles
and Baguio.
The Safe Shops provide education, counseling and clinical services on reproductive health, including:
Family Planning;
Maternal and Child Health;
Prevention of and Management of the Complications of Abortion;
Prevention and Treatment of Reproductive Tract Infection and other Gynecological Conditions;
Treatment of Infertility;
Screening for Breast and Reproductive Tract Cancers;
Education and Counseling on Sexuality and Sexual Health;
Violence Against Women;
Adolescent Reproductive Health; and
Men's Reproductive Health.
Research efforts include:
Sero-surveillance for syphilis
, gonorrhea
and HIV
;
Behavioural surveillance of sentinel groups (men who have sex with men, male and female sex workers, and men with STDs);
Impact evaluation of projects;
Focus groups discussions for pre-testing of IEC materials; and
National media reach surveys.
-based female sex workers and their partners in Angeles.
The program consisted of peer counseling, IEC distribution, group discussions, treatment of STDs, HIV antibody
testing, provision of condom
s and advocacy among local leaders.
ReachOut was able to establish a satellite clinic for the sex workers.
The clients were empowered to use condoms and go for regular screening for STDs. The project also networked with other NGOs and government agencies to provide other reproductive health services to the women.
(USAID) through the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health
(PATH) to implement an STD/AIDS Education program targeting male dock workers.
The project components are: peer education, interpersonal communication and counseling, IEC materials production and distribution, condom distribution and lecture presentations.
To achieve this, ReachOut aimed to improve the target population’s knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding STI/HIV/AIDS through the promotion of healthy sexual behaviour and provision of preventive education, risk reduction and empowerment counselling using peer support mechanisms.
By linking the issue of sexual abuse of children to STD
and HIV
, the campaign hopes the target audience will modify its prevailing practices and attitudes.
The media campaign also seeks to motivate policymakers and other concerned groups to guarantee that children everywhere enjoy their fundamental rights free and secure from all forms of sexual exploitation
.
(UNFPA) and McCann-Erickson Philippines to design a media campaign to introduce the term "reproductive health
" (or RH) to the public.
It provides affordable reproductive health services and products in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory, innovative, gender-sensitive, and responsible manner.
To achieve these, it continuously undertakes training, information dissemination, and advocacy for policy and behavioral changes.
The play was about a Filipino who died of AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
and was staged to help bring awareness to the AIDS problem in the Philippines.
It eventually led to the first AIDS organization in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, ReachOut AIDS Education.
ReachOut strategically evolved into a reproductive health service organization.
In 1997, the foundation was renamed as ReachOut Reproductive Health Foundation.
In 200, the foundation was renamed to, ReachOut Foundation International.
Reproductive Health Centers
ReachOut has set up these centers, known as Safe Shops, in the cities of ManilaManila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, Pasay, Angeles
Angeles
Angeles may refer to:*Los Angeles, the largest city in California and the Western United States*Angeles City, a city in Pampanga, Philippines*"Angeles", a 1991 song by Enya from her album Shepherd Moons...
and Baguio.
The Safe Shops provide education, counseling and clinical services on reproductive health, including:
Family Planning;
Maternal and Child Health;
Prevention of and Management of the Complications of Abortion;
Prevention and Treatment of Reproductive Tract Infection and other Gynecological Conditions;
Treatment of Infertility;
Screening for Breast and Reproductive Tract Cancers;
Education and Counseling on Sexuality and Sexual Health;
Violence Against Women;
Adolescent Reproductive Health; and
Men's Reproductive Health.
Training Programs
ReachOut designs and conducts training for its own staff as well as participants from other organizations.Research Programs
ReachOut conducts operations research as well as basic and secondary research for use of its own projects and clients.Research efforts include:
Sero-surveillance for syphilis
Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. The primary route of transmission is through sexual contact; however, it may also be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy or at birth, resulting in congenital syphilis...
, gonorrhea
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The usual symptoms in men are burning with urination and penile discharge. Women, on the other hand, are asymptomatic half the time or have vaginal discharge and pelvic pain...
and HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
;
Behavioural surveillance of sentinel groups (men who have sex with men, male and female sex workers, and men with STDs);
Impact evaluation of projects;
Focus groups discussions for pre-testing of IEC materials; and
National media reach surveys.
Angeles
With funding from USAID, PATH, and FHI launched a comprehensive AIDS/STD prevention program targeting the brothelBrothel
Brothels are business establishments where patrons can engage in sexual activities with prostitutes. Brothels are known under a variety of names, including bordello, cathouse, knocking shop, whorehouse, strumpet house, sporting house, house of ill repute, house of prostitution, and bawdy house...
-based female sex workers and their partners in Angeles.
The program consisted of peer counseling, IEC distribution, group discussions, treatment of STDs, HIV antibody
Antibody
An antibody, also known as an immunoglobulin, is a large Y-shaped protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses. The antibody recognizes a unique part of the foreign target, termed an antigen...
testing, provision of condom
Condom
A condom is a barrier device most commonly used during sexual intercourse to reduce the probability of pregnancy and spreading sexually transmitted diseases . It is put on a man's erect penis and physically blocks ejaculated semen from entering the body of a sexual partner...
s and advocacy among local leaders.
ReachOut was able to establish a satellite clinic for the sex workers.
The clients were empowered to use condoms and go for regular screening for STDs. The project also networked with other NGOs and government agencies to provide other reproductive health services to the women.
Manila
ReachOut Foundation was awarded a grant by the United States Agency for International DevelopmentUnited States Agency for International Development
The United States Agency for International Development is the United States federal government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. President John F. Kennedy created USAID in 1961 by executive order to implement development assistance programs in the areas...
(USAID) through the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health
Program for Appropriate Technology in Health
The Program for Appropriate Technology in Health is an international, nonprofit global health organization based in Seattle, Washington , with 900+ employees in more than 30 offices around the world. Its president and CEO is Dr...
(PATH) to implement an STD/AIDS Education program targeting male dock workers.
The project components are: peer education, interpersonal communication and counseling, IEC materials production and distribution, condom distribution and lecture presentations.
STI/HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Project for MSMs in Bauang, La Union and San Fernando, Pampanga
The project aimed to contribute to the national goal of preventing the further spread of STI/HIV/AIDS infection and reduce its impact on those who are already infected and affected.To achieve this, ReachOut aimed to improve the target population’s knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding STI/HIV/AIDS through the promotion of healthy sexual behaviour and provision of preventive education, risk reduction and empowerment counselling using peer support mechanisms.
Reproductive Health Program For Street Youth
ReachOut Foundation developed a street youth project in the city of Manila with the assistance of Family Planning International Agency. The project serves a hard-to-reach population of indigent and low-income street-based and community-based youth especially those involved in sex work between the ages of 10 to 24 years of age. This provides previously unavailable reproductive health services in catchment areas such as squatter settlements in port areas and city parks. The street youth are currently being served through the community-based outreach and peer education work, the back-up clinic at the project's youth center and the outreach medical mission van. Contraceptive services, STD/RTI medical treatment, sexuality education, counseling services and laboratory testing for HIV/Syphilis/Hepatitis B are being provided.Public Service Advertising On Child Prostitution
ReachOut Foundation, the Department of Health and PATH Foundation Philippines, designed a media campaign to target primarily buyers and sellers of child sex workers.By linking the issue of sexual abuse of children to STD
Sexually transmitted disease
Sexually transmitted disease , also known as a sexually transmitted infection or venereal disease , is an illness that has a significant probability of transmission between humans by means of human sexual behavior, including vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex...
and HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
, the campaign hopes the target audience will modify its prevailing practices and attitudes.
The media campaign also seeks to motivate policymakers and other concerned groups to guarantee that children everywhere enjoy their fundamental rights free and secure from all forms of sexual exploitation
Exploitation
This article discusses the term exploitation in the meaning of using something in an unjust or cruel manner.- As unjust benefit :In political economy, economics, and sociology, exploitation involves a persistent social relationship in which certain persons are being mistreated or unfairly used for...
.
Public Service Media Campaign on Reproductive Health
ReachOut Foundation, with funding from the United Nations Population FundUnited Nations Population Fund
The United Nations Population Fund is a UN organization. The work of the UNFPA involves promotion of the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. This is done through major national and demographic surveys and with population censuses...
(UNFPA) and McCann-Erickson Philippines to design a media campaign to introduce the term "reproductive health
Reproductive health
Within the framework of the World Health Organization's definition of health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, reproductive health, or sexual health/hygiene, addresses the reproductive processes, functions and system...
" (or RH) to the public.
Mission statement
ReachOut Foundation International is a Philippines-based civil society organization committed to improving the quality of life of underserved, marginalized, and vulnerable populations.It provides affordable reproductive health services and products in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory, innovative, gender-sensitive, and responsible manner.
To achieve these, it continuously undertakes training, information dissemination, and advocacy for policy and behavioral changes.