Educational Research and Development Assistance (ERDA) Foundation, Inc.
Think Human Fund
Mission & History
The Educational Research and Development Assistance (ERDA) Foundation, founded by Fr. Pierre Tritz, SJ, aims to enhance the quality of life for marginalized Filipino children and youth by providing education and support programs. Fr. Tritz was inspired to establish ERDA after reading a report on the dropout problem in the Philippines and witnessing firsthand the struggles of children unable to attend school despite free public education. In 1974, at the age of 60, he founded ERDA, giving up his French citizenship to do so during a time when foreign nationals were limited in their activities in the Philippines. Over the years, ERDA has grown and evolved, celebrating 50 years of service in 2024, with education remaining the foundation’s flagship program.
Country Information
The Philippines, a developing nation in Southeast Asia, faces significant challenges such as poverty, underemployment, and access to quality education. In 2022, the country ranked 77th out of 81 countries in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), highlighting the pressing issues within its educational system. ERDA operates primarily in disadvantaged communities within Metro Manila, including Barangay Bagong Silang in Caloocan City and Baseco in Manila, addressing these educational challenges through its various programs.
The Need
The dropout rate in the Philippines has been a critical issue, with about 42% of children who start Grade 1 not completing Grade 10. ERDA addresses this through a holistic education program that provides school supplies, catch-up tutorials, and feeding programs. These initiatives are crucial as they help alleviate the financial burden on families, ensuring that children not only attend school but are also adequately nourished to focus on their studies.
The Project We Fund
The project “Educating Children, Developing Educators” by ERDA focuses on reducing the dropout rates by providing school supplies and tutorials, coupled with feeding programs. This project engages Junior Educators and Concentrix staff to aid in tutorials, aiming to reach 500 children. Activities include distributing school materials, organizing tutorials, and providing emotional and mental health support through ERDA’s social workers. The project also involves training new Junior Educators to assist younger children, ensuring continued educational support.
The Result
The “Educate Children, Develop Educators” project is designed to be scalable, with ERDA targeting 500 beneficiaries initially and plans to expand to 8,000 children and youth across urban and rural communities in the Philippines. The project’s impact is measured by tracking the number of children receiving school supplies and tutorials, their improvement in academic skills, and their overall well-being. Through partnerships with organizations like Concentrix, ERDA aims to continue its mission of providing quality education and support to marginalized communities.
