The Kythe Foundation
by Mariel G. Alfonso
Kythe, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides psychosocial help to pediatric patients with any chronic illness such as cancer or hemophilia. Its name, which is Scottish in origin, actually means to “manifest and to profess oneself.” But in the foundation’s work, it is “healing through simple sharing and togetherness.” Kythe is also the pioneering force behind the Child Life Program in the Philippines.
Kythe becomes a support system for patients as well as their families. Its advocacy is to help the children relieve the physical, emotional and psychological anxiety brought about by their disease. The children are encouraged to grow, learn and enjoy life as normal people would, despite having to go through traumatizing experiences in the hospital.
Its history
It was in 1992 when Fatima Garcia and Icar Castro, both Psychology graduates from Ateneo de Manila University, founded Kythe. It was their course work in the university that led both of them to this endeavor. Fatima had been providing therapeutic play to children who had cancer, while Icar had been doing her research on pediatric patients and their families.
Their experiences in the hospital compelled them to continue what they had started and couldn’t leave behind. Fatima clearly remembers Icar posting announcements at the Psychology Department in Ateneo’s Bellarmine Hall. Soon enough, donations started to come in and people started to volunteer. Fatima, also the Executive Director of the foundation, shares, “What was just course work became a full-blown foundation.”
In 1994, Kythe, Inc. became duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Ten years later, it was accredited by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC).
The Child Life Program
The psychosocial activities implemented by Kythe are formally called the Child Life Program (CLP). They are in accordance with the policies of the Child Life Council, the leading association for child life specialists, the Association of the Care for Children’s Care Manual, and Thompson and Stanford’s “Child Life in Hospitals Theory and Practice.” Those who implement the CLP, officially called child life specialists, must have educational background on child development. It is necessary for them to have completed a degree (undergraduate or masteral) in the field.
The organization currently offers its services to the patients of its eight affiliate hospitals and institutions, namely: the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center, Davao Medical Center, National Children’s Hospital, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine Orthopedic Center, Quirino Medical Center, Tarlac Provincial Hospital, and the University of Sto. Tomas Hospital.
Their work
Just like nurses or doctors, Kythe coordinators also form part of the children’s medical team. These coordinators regularly attend to patients and their families, and assess what kind of treatment they need for each day. They can either be educated about their illness, given counseling, engage in therapeutic play, be prepared for a medical procedure or even death. Kythe always makes it a point to involve the children’s families in these situations.
Kythe also implements integrated reading programs in their affiliate hospitals each week. This informal education makes up for the lack of formal schooling, which the children cannot receive since they spend long periods of time in the hospital. It is also an opportunity for Kythe to promote Filipino writers and their work.
Aside from the activities regularly done inside the hospital, Kythe also hosts several annual programs that further materialize their vision of strengthening the children’s holistic development. Among them are the Kite Flying event, which is usually done during February; a Summer Camp in April or May, participated in by children eight years old and above; and the Youth Children’s Outing.
The families of the patients are equally involved, taking part in activities such as the Family Day, held in October or November, as well as Christmas parties. The parents are also treated to “pampering days” to serve as distractions from the stress they experience from their children’s condition.
In order to advocate Kythe’s purpose, the months of March, April and May are spent holding conferences to educate Filipinos on Child Life. June and July, on other hand, are devoted to various fundraising activities.
Recognition
For its unrelenting passion and excellence in its field of work, Kythe has gained recognition from several credible institutions. In 2003, Kythe was granted by the “People Power People” award by former President Cory Aquino. In 2006, The Kythe – Ateneo Organization was named one of the recipients of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) award.
Motivations
For Fatima Garcia, founding partner and Executive Director, her job at Kythe is truly gratifying. She says, “When you see them [the families] everyday, they’re fighting for the lives of their kids. It’s a good feeling that you are part of that struggle. You are giving them a fighting chance.”
Kythe’s children, despite the unfortunate circumstances they are in, are granted the opportunity of a “happy childhood” they deserve but are deprived from. And to be part of that happy childhood, Fatima concludes, is an ultimately rewarding experience.