NEW SCHOOLS:
I believe that to change things for the better in our school systems and even politics... Education is the key to that success. With so many places worldwide were many children are deprived to attend schools because of financial reasons, remote areas are not accessible, lack of funding for teachers in remote areas and for many other reasons... new schools are needed worldwide where education can also be FREE to attend. Please help me support this project and work with me to help build schools and create funding to help send children to give them an opportunity to learn and obtain good education and live a better life.
NEW HOSPITALS:
Let's face it... even in the United States of America, many people today are in need of assistance to receive medical treatment. Now imagine the third world countries that do not even have hospitals or even doctors. Help me support this project and let's work together to build new hospitals in areas where it's needed most.
PLACE OF WORSHIP:
I am blessed to have a friend that is a minister that have helped me through some tough times in my life. I remember a conversation I had with him when he asked me how we can stop the fighting all over the world... I paused awhile and I really couldn't give him a justifiable answer at that time.
He looked at me with a sincere look and asked me if I gave up. I replied, "Yes, I give up." He then started to share some views about religion. He said, imagine a world where no religion existed. The only topic we cared to discuss was that we are all ONE with one another. What we do on to one, we do onto ourselves. GOD is a loving GOD that wants only what we want for ourselves. He also mentioned that the word GOD and LOVE are words that can be used to replace each other.
We are made from the same energy that is and is not separated. Now... imagine a world where the only religion we know is LOVE. He said... do you think that if people are taught to know all about love and no religion existed, he asked me if I thought if there would still be war. What do you think?
With that said, what if we can all agree to a space where all are welcome and anyone can use this place to spend time as they wished. A place where anyone can go to worship. Now keep an open mind... wouldn't it be nice to have a place of worship to gather your thougths and maybe even plan your day, month, year or even your future? Wouldn't it be nice to find this place called Place of Worship everywhere you go in the world?
It's going to take a lot of closings and or a lot of donations to tackle this project but I believe it's time. For those that see the bigger picture, I pray that you help me. Blessings, Aristotle.
AMDC International believes in fighting poverty with profits. Together, we can create a team to help thousands if not millions of people experience a better lifestyle.
True Story... Many years ago, I lost my faith in God. I questioned his existence and wondered if he really existed. I wanted to know if he can hear me and really answer my prayers...
Six months later... I received a phone call from the Philippines asking me to promote a concert where a band comprised of all priests needed a promoter in the Chicagoland area. During this time, one of my hobbies were sponsoring concerts and producing events.
Not knowing what the concert will be all about, something told me that I should take the trip to the Philippines and meet with the band manager just to make sure what I would be getting myself into. I decided to fly to the Philippines... I met with the manager, I had the opportunity to meet with Father Mar.
Father Mar told me that they needed a producer to promote the concert and that they were planning to perform in Chicago and I was asked to produce it. When I asked Father Mar what this event was for... he mentioned that they formed a band called the "LEVITES," and they shared their teachings of GOD through their music. Part of their proceeds were to build retirement homes for the retired priests in the Philippines.
I was told that some Priests in the Philippines that have dedicated themselves to GOD for many years... when they reached the retirement age, some have lost support from their families and others cannot afford to pay for health insurance, medication, food, clothing and even shelter.
With that said, I knew that I was meant to help. The LEVITES performs all over the world and use their proceeds to help many people in the Philippines including helping build homes for the retired Priests.
After hearing the story told by Father Mar, I decided to take on the project. The Levites where on the way to Chicago!
I asked the LEVITES if they wouldn't mind staying at my house. They were kind enough to accept the offer and all of them stayed at our house during the time they were in Chicago for the concert. Father Mar asked me if Bishop Tirona is able to join us at the house as well and I gladly offered my house to him to stay.
A couple of days past and the LEVITES asked me if they can perform mass in our house. Keep in mind... this was the time that I lost faith in GOD and they were asking me to do mass in our home. I said yes to their request and sure enough.. mass was being performed in our home.
DURING MASS:
Mass started in our living room... I remember very vividly when Father Mar and Bishop Tirona
asked me to move from the back of the room to the front of the room so that I can experience the mass in the front since I was the host of the home.
I remember when Bishop Tirona gave his sermon... his topic was about GOD and how GOD replies to us. He said that GOD might reply to us in ways we don't seem to understand at times. We have to be prepared and be aware to use our senses.
"Listen with our ears... the response might be from a radio ad or tv commercial. See with our eyes... we might see a sign that will give us an answer when looking out the window or seeing a sign from the outside. The answers are all around us, we just have to be prepared and be open to receive it. " That was the message that I received.
As he was explaining more about the existence of GOD and how he communicates with us, I started to feel a tingling sensation... it was like some form of energy came upon me and gave me a big hug and whispered in my ears the message: 'My son... it took 6 priests and 1 Bishop that travelled around the world to tell you that I exist, do you now believe in me?" As soon as I experienced this feeling, I started to cry listening to Bishop Tirona and felt the spirit of GOD.
So my friends... I share this story to you to tell you not to doubt the lord, our GOD. He is not to be feared but rather to be LOVED. I know him to be a loving GOD. He has granted us all our wishes and we don't even know it yet.
You are meant to read this story. I hope that you pass on the message as I have to you.
By the way, I did plan the concert, directed it and produced it at the same time.
With less than 45 days to prepare, hundreds of people from different states came to the concert and enjoyed the performance of the LEVITES.
The concert was a success and proceeds were sent to build the first pavilion for the subdivision created for the retirement community for the retired priests in the Philippines.
I am not only proud to be part of this beautiful experience but very humbled by the outcome that has given me and my family.
Please help me help others and give back to the people in need. I know that you know people that would be glad to donate to this cause. When you close those big project funding transactions, please keep this project in mind and support it.
Blessings, Aristotle.
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Establishment of Potable Water Systems in Underserved Communities
These include: rainfall; surface water resources (i.e., rivers, lakes, and reservoirs); and groundwater resources. The country has 18 major river basins and 421 principal river basins as defined by the National Water Regulatory Board (NWRB). In terms of groundwater, the country has an extensive groundwater reservoir. Groundwater resources are continuously recharged by rain and seepage from rivers and lakes. Rainfall in the Philippines ranges from 1,000 to 4,000 millimeters per year, of which 1,000-2,000 millimeters are collected as runoff by a natural topography of more than 421 principal rivers basins, some 59 natural lakes and numerous small streams. The freshwater storage capacity and the high rate of precipitation assure the country an adequate supply for its agricultural, industrial and domestic use. However, seasonal variations are considerable and geographic distribution is biased, often resulting in water shortages in highly populated areas, especially during dry season. In addition, water pollution, wasteful and inefficient use of water, saltwater intrusion, high non-revenue water levels due to leaks and illegal connections, and denudation of forest cover, are placing major strains on water resources. A study stated that combined with growing population pressures, it is becoming more difficult to provide basic water services. (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism or PCIJ).
Meeting MDG number 7: ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER. The Philippines has committed to fulfilling the millennium development goals (MDGs) by the year 2015. Regarding MDG number 7, in particular, access to safe drinking water, a National Statistics Office (NSO) survey suggests that this area of focus has slightly improved over the years. The 2004 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey (APIS) shows that access to safe drinking water slightly increased from 80.0 percent in 2002 to 80.2 percent in 2004.
The Philippines’ MDG target for 2015 is to ensure that 86.8 percent of the population will have access to safe water. The national government projects that given the current trend, there is a high probability that the target will be achieved. (Philippines Midterm Progress Report on the Millennium Development Goals 2007) On the contrary, Social Watch-Philippines1 emphasizes that most of the goals will not be fully met, judging from MDG performance for the past seven years. The 2006 report of UN-ESCAP, UNDP, and ADB reflects that the Philippines is falling behind in relation to other countries in Asia and the Pacific.
(Attaining the MDGs: Are we really on track? by Leonor Magtolis Briones, Social Watch)________________________ Please support Groups like: (PRRM), a non-government organization founded in 1952, has continued to implement development projects in partnership with local communities and their organizations. Its core program is good governance for sustainable development, with specific projects implemented in relation to the following components: * Organizing and leadership development * Sustainable local economic development 
Water situation in the Philippines. The Philippines obtains its water supply from different sources.
Although groundwater resources are generally abundant, the report says that over-extraction and poor environmental management of extractive resource industries such as mining and forestry have polluted downstream water sources and aquifers, caused siltation, and lowered water tables.
1A network of civil society organizations (CSOs) involved in monitoring progress towards the attainment of the MDGs. 
PRRM experience in potable water supply projects. The Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement
* Environment and natural resource management
* Basic social services systems development
* Advocacy and development cooperation
Cognizant of the lack of access to safe potable water, even from the decade of the 1990s, the PRRM, with funding partners overseas and with local communities, implemented several projects on the provision of potable water supply systems. The sites where such projects were implemented include rural communities in Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Negros Occidental, and Cotabato provinces. Funding partners included the German Agro-Action (Deutsche Welthungerhilfe), the UK-based Towns and Development, Inc., and the locally based Eagles Foundation.
II. Project Objectives and Targets
The project objectives are: · To provide financial and technical support to the building of community potable water systems in target rural communities; and · To ensure the sustained maintenance of the potable water projects by the local communities in partnership with their respective local government units.
Following are the outputs expected to be accomplished within the project’s duration: * Construction of 75 community potable water systems in 15 provinces; * Resolutions or ordinances by local (barangay and/or municipal) government units and/or community organizations committing to the maintenance of the projects; and
* Markers bearing the names of the donors.
III. Project Sites
The proposal is for the installation of 75 new water systems in the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Ilocos Sur, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Quezon, Cavite, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Negros Occidental, Iloilo, and the island-province of Camiguin.
Benguet, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Ilocos Sur, Bataan and Nueva Ecija are provinces in the northern part of Luzon while Quezon, Cavite, and Marinduque are located in the southern part of Luzon. Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Albay are provinces in the Bicol region, also in southern Luzon. Iloilo and Negros Occidental are located in the Visayas while Camiguin is a part of Mindanao.
Each province will be allotted five safe water systems. The selection of the village/barangay will be done by PRRM's partner people’s organization in the area.
Figure 1. Map of the Philippines
showing the 15 target provinces
IV. Project Participants and Partners
In general, the participants and partners in this project will involve the local people, the local government units and PRRM. The organizational linkages are basically tripartite – a partnership between and among the local community and its organizations, the local government unit and PRRM. Following are the roles and tasks of the various parties involved in the project implementation:
a. The local community and people’s organizations (POs). Led by the main households and local
groups that will benefit from the potable water system, the target community will optimize the local practices of cooperation. They will mobilize and organize the work teams that will participate in the construction activities. They will also be expected to collect locally available construction materials such as lumber, bamboo, gravel, and sand. With the assistance of PRRM, they will lead in the solicitation of additional financial, technical, and policy support from their LGUs and local government agencies (LGAs) for the construction as well as maintenance of the potable water systems. All throughout the construction and post-construction activities, they will perform project monitoring and evaluation.
The communities will also be expected to select and assign a Community Water Technician who will be trained in the operation, maintenance and repair of the potable water systems. b. The LGUs and LGAs. The local government units and agencies – at the barangay, municipal and provincial levels – have the mandate and responsibility of providing sufficient and quality basic social services to their constituents. In this project, the concerned LGUs and LGAs in the project sites will be enjoined to provide the necessary financial, technical, logistical and policy support (e.g. services of the barangay tanod and the municipal engineer; dump truck for transport of materials to site). The POs and PRRM will coordinate in linking with these LGUs to ensure completeness and transparency of project implementation.
An equally important role of the LGUs is to enact resolutions or ordinances that will help the beneficiary communities ensure the proper operation and maintenance of the potable water systems, even after construction. c. PRRM. PRRM will serve to connect and link up the local communities, the LGUs and LGAs in implementing this project. It will also solicit the participation of local organizations and LGUs in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the water units. Concretely, this will include the provision of organizing assistance to the local communities in forming their work teams and scheduling their tasks in project implementation. In cooperation with the local POs, PRRM will directly relate with the LGUs to ensure the completeness of material, logistical and manpower requirements, as well as official policy support.
While no direct cash assistance will be allocated by PRRM, it will assign a Project Coordinator from among its current staff to oversee the project. The Project Coordinator will relate with the local PRRM chapter2 in the covered provinces who, in turn, will assign their executive officer/president to perform local coordination and supervision of project activities. Each chapter will hire the services of a local technician/engineering supervisor who has experience in related water supply projects. This supervisor will ensure that the technical specifications of the water units will be sufficiently met3. S/he will also act as resource person and mentor to enhance the communities’ capabilities in the construction and maintenance of the wells. For project financial concerns, PRRM will assign a bookkeeper from among its current finance services staff to monitor and prepare financial reports. PRRM will also facilitate the conduct of the basic skills training for community water technicians, with the technical/engineering supervisors as resource persons and mentors.
In terms of project monitoring and evaluation, each of the local PRRM chapters will prepare a report on project updates and submit this to the Project Coordinator. The Project Coordinator will then prepare a consolidated report for submission to the donor. _________________________ Each chapter has its own set of officers who regularly report to PRRM’s Board of Trustees. Aside from hiring the services of a technical/engineering supervisor, PRRM will also request participation and assistance of the municipal engineering office for the provision of technical assistance to well construction and maintenance.
VI. Budget Plan
Budget Items Budget Assumptions Requested Amount Local Counterpart A. Community Mobilization 75,000.00 Total Community Mobilization 75,000.00
B. Construction of PWS 1,875,000.00
Lumber / Labor / Transport/hauling of materials / Supervision, transportation, per diem 225,000.00
6,000.00 Total Construction 2,106,000.00
C. Project Management Honorarium of 1 Project Coordinator PhP15,000/month x 4 months 60,000.00
Field monitoring and evaluation: Transportation PhP500/trip x 12 covered provinces in Luzon 6,000.00 Field monitoring and evaluation: Per diem 1 PC x 3 days x 12 trips x PhP225 8,100.00 2 copies x 200 = 400.00
Total Project Management 74,500.00
TOTAL 2,255,500.00
Courtesy calls and meetings with barangay and municipal LGUs to introduce the project and partners and to agree on financial, technical, logistical, policy, and labor counterparts 2 mtgs/brgy/mun. X 5 brgys/muns. X 15 provs. X 500
Materials for 5 units/brgy./mun. x 5,000.00/unit X 15 provinces 1 technical supervisor x 1 mo. X 15,000.00 x 15 provinces Basic skills training for community water technicians: Reproduction of reference materials 2 community leaders/brgy./mun. X 15 provinces = 30 pax x 200 Production of 2 printed copies of the project terminal report
V. IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING & EVALUATION PLAN PROJECT COMPONENTS AND ACTIVITIES Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Component 1: Community Mobilization
PRRM; partner people's organization
PRRM; partner people's organization
Component 2: Construction of PWS
Construction
Component 3: Project Management
Project technical/engineering supervision
Project monitoring and evaluation
PROJECT COMPONENTS AND ACTIVITIES Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 Courtesy calls; Coordination with LGU and local people's organization (POs); Formation of work teams; Work planning with work teams Consultation meetings with POs and LGUs Representation in official sessions of Barangay and Municipal Councils Pre-construction of PWS PRRM; partner people's organization and LGUs PRRM; partner people's organization and LGUs Basic skills training for local water supply technicians PRRM; partner people's organization and LGUs
PRRM; partner people's organization and LGUs PRRM; partner people's organization and LGUs Reports to LGUs and donor PRRM; partner people's organization and LGUs
