[about us]

September 10, 2005

• WHAT IS TSINELAS?

TSINELAS ASSOCIATION INC. is a non-government, non-stock, non-profit organization that gives educational assistance to poor students using solicited resources and through linkages with other organizations.

• WHAT IS ITS VISION?    

TSINELAS envisions a just and humane society where the basic right to education is upheld and where poverty is not a hindrance to learning.  It is a society where those who have more in life help those who have less, and where everyone works for the common good.

• WHAT IS ITS MISSION?

TSINELAS commits to help in the educational formation of poor students, in the ongoing formation of those responsible for their education, and in ensuring an environment that is conducive to learning.

• WHAT ARE ITS OBJECTIVES?

1. To spend for the students’ basic school needs, like tuition, school fees, uniforms and school supplies.
2.    To help provide students with holistic formation through values formation and personality development seminars.
3.    To help teachers in their task of providing quality education to students
4.    To help improve school facilities

• WHO ARE ITS MEMBERS?   

TSINELAS is composed of students, professionals, priests and social workers sharing a passion to be of service to others.

• IS IT REGISTERED WITH SEC?   

TSINELAS was formed in October 2003 and was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in February 2004 under Registration No. CN200425206.  It is also registered with the Bureau of Internal Revenue. It links with other groups that are into similar advocacy and operates alongside local government units and the Department of Education.

• WHY “TSINELAS”?

A pair of slippers is a fitting symbol of the association. Tsinelas aims to provide even just a small comfort to people in need.

• THE AREAS OF OPERATION

PINAMUNGAJAN, CEBU

TSINELAS has for its pilot area a high school in a mountain barangay in Pinamungajan, a 4th class municipality 64 kilometers southwest of Cebu City.

Lut-od National High School is located in the farming barangay of Lut-od, three kilometers from Pinamungajan town proper.  The barangay has a population of 3,316.

The school was established in 1996 and stands on a lot donated by the heirs of Judge Dionesio Ty Portes Sr. of Pinamungajan.

Its enrollment this year is 198.  It has two classrooms made of concrete and two made of wood and nipa.  There is no laboratory, no library, none of the facilities crucial to educational formation.  There are no computers to speak of.

There are not even enough chairs for everyone.  Some students have to carry their own chairs to school.  Sometimes, two or three students take turns in using a ball pen for taking down notes and during exams.  Most students have only one set of uniform for the entire school year.  Some drop out of school in the middle of the year to join their parents in the farm or in construction work.

A school administrator and five teachers compose the teaching staff. 

ASTURIAS, CEBU The town of Asturias is located at the western part of Cebu along the coastal area. It is one of the municipalities of the 3rd district, Province of Cebu.It is approximately 72 km. from Cebu City.From the city it can be reached using three routes - ­the Naga-Uling Road, the Logo Road and the Transcentral Highway passing. Asturias is bounded on the North by Tuburan, south by Balamban, east by Danao City and west by Tanon Strait.The town has a population of 38,961 (2000 census). It has an area of 14,613.86 hectares.

Looc Norte National High School, which was established in 1987, is located one kilometer from the town proper.It stands on a lot donated by the Municipality of Asturias. Enrolment this school year is 863.

There are 16 classrooms, one laboratory (science), one library, one faculty room. It owns one computer unit. The school is managed by 22 teachers and one principal II.  The school has a publication, the Sunset Key.

• THE TSINELAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Lorenzo Niñal
   Vice President                 Gemma Abellon   
   Corporate Secretary         Linette Ramos    (on leave)   
   Treasurer                        Ma. Liza Mellado
   Recording Secretary         Annie Tenebro
   Legal Counsel                  Donato Villa, Jr.
   Members                         Jonas Arnibal
                                       Josephine Villa
   

EVERYONE has the right to education.   Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages.  Elementary education shall be compulsory.  Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.  It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
                            - The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

For donations please contact 0918-9338184, 0927-4344847, or 4146004 and look for Lorenzo, or write us at tsinelas_education@yahoo.com