The People’s Recovery Empowerment and Development Assistance (PREDA)
PREDA was founded in 1974 by Fr Shay Cullen an Irish member of the Missionary Society of St Columban. It is an active social development organization that saves children from sexual abusers, and from life in the brothels and sex bars frequented by Filipino men and foreigners of all nationalities. It saves children from gaols and detention centres and gives them a new life of dignity and self-esteem. PREDA has been nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize and has received the German and Italian Human Rights Awards and is an international recognized human rights and child rights advocacy organisation of peace and human dignity.
It is most natural to help our family, relatives and friends in time of need. That is a good and blessed thing to do and yet there is a higher more noble virtue that we can aspire to help the unknown stranger, the abandoned child, the hurting starving migrant, the victim of neglect and abuse, and the poor and the oppressed.
This we can do as volunteers, we can reach out from the goodness of our hearts and with compassion help the needy. Humanitarian volunteers and volunteers from Christian or other faiths act from their natural goodness and their motivation is an unselfish love and care of neighbour. 
Many volunteers; Filipino and other nationalities find their way to projects in the Philippines and some come to PREDA in Olongapo City through connecting via Facebook or the PREDA website. The international volunteers and Filipinos pay their own fares and living costs and are committed to the 70 or more children at the two PREDA Foundation children homes.
There have been self-supporting students, professionals, teachers, social workers, lawyers, Internet techies, accountants, business managers, fair-trade volunteers, people of all professions generously volunteering their time to PREDA over the years. They have contributed greatly to the welfare of the children in the PREDA Foundation homes, and also among the Indigenous people. Some have used their skills and knowledge as administrators, managers, accountants, and lawyers in the operation of the organisation.
Fionn Kinne-Coyle who served in the PREDA Foundation recently wrote: "Volunteering to me is a chance to be able to give back to the world and the kids who I worked with during my time here in PREDA, shedding a bit of light and smiles on their day and gathering many strong and powerful experiences that I will carry for the rest of my life."
Allison, a lawyer told me: "I would have spent twice this amount on an annual holiday in a beach resort and achieved nothing but a sunburn. Here at PREDA I found a purpose in life and found myself. I will never be the same as before and I don’t want to be. I got more here than I could give".
Some of the children are as young as eight and ten-years-old. The open PREDA home in the countryside has no fences or guards, it gives freedom of choice, emotional expression therapy, affirmation and education.
The presence of volunteers alone boosts the spirit and self-worth of the children. "Children, our volunteers have come a long way around the world, and saved up and spent their money just to be here with you because you are very important and precious children", I tell the children. Their smiles broaden and their self-worth soars. That truth alone is invaluable to them.
We at the PREDA Foundation are very appreciative for the solidarity and help of the volunteers.
To volunteer at PREDA email predainfo@preda.org
For more information please visit www.preda.org to request an volunteer application form and you could be on your way.
Blessings.
Fr Shay Cullen SSC has been a missionary in the Philippines since 1969 and is the founder of the People’s Recovery, Empowerment Development Assistance Foundation (PREDA).
Read another article: PREDA welcomes volunteers and interns
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