Thank you for checking out our campaign. My name is Erica, I grew up in the Philippines, in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, migrating to Australia when I was 18.
I need your help to do some good in the community in Perth and the Philippines! Changing lives takes a whole lot of work and your help is much needed to making positive changes and change hundreds of lives.
What we want to do
Nearly a quarter of the total population of the Philippines live in poverty. Although education is easily accessible over 70% of students in certain regions live in poverty. It is a known fact that when we are hungry we struggle to concentrate and absorb information. Although these children have access to education, learning is not always guaranteed due to hunger.
We are working to establish a Food for Thought program as part of our community projects. To date, Baked by Erica has sponsored smaller projects with particular focus on the annual Children's Christmas party - which we will tell you more about a few paragraphs down.
The Food for Thought Program is a big chunk of what we are seeking your support on. The program encompasses:
- Providing monthly breakfast/lunch for the students of Don Jose Aguirre (Sipulan) Elementary/Primary School. We will determine the meals through working closely with the school staff and the students, to see where we can add the most value. At October 2018, there are currently 430 primary school students attending this school. 78 of whom have been identified by the staff as malnourished.
- Deliver lessons designed to educate and inspire the next generation.
- Lessons will encompass: looking after their environment (rubbish is a big issue in the community), recycling, agriculture, cooking, mindset (encourage the growth mindset, putting value on self worth and capabilities vs the fixed mindset, the belief that we cannot do anything to change our status or capabilities), entrepreneurship, etc.
- After each lesson, there will be an activity wherein the students will be asked to draw or write down (not all of us can draw so no pressure there) what they took away from the lesson.
- Their insights and artwork will then be transformed into marketable products which will provide ongoing funding for the project.
Meals will be provided by locals and ingredients sourced from local fishermen and farmers to activate as much of the community as possible through this initiative.
The 2018 Christmas party will be the third funded by Baked by Erica. It is a day where the children and their families are treated to a meal and gifted with presents (a mixture of useful - raincoats, gumboots, and fun - colouring books, crayons, presents). The parents also received presents. The aim is to spread Christmas joy and happiness to those who may otherwise miss out.
Why we are doing it
Everything that we do is aimed at creating moments of joy and happiness and instilling a positive growth mindset in the children at an early age. To enable the next generation to see a future within their community without having to leave behind their families in order to earn a living. The program will help them realise the value of their own skills and abilities and to use what is around them in their surroundings to earn a living.
Having gone through significant mindset change over the last couple of years while establishing Baked by Erica, I feel that great things happen once you posses the right mindset. Education and training opportunities open you up to things you never knew you were capable of. By exposing the children to different topics each month, we are broadening their options. After all, you don’t know what you don’t know. So we are providing them lessons to enable them to broaden their skillset and understanding, to inspire them to tap into their own capabilities.
Overall we aim to change the trend of families getting ripped apart due to long absences from parents working overseas or in different regions of the Philippines. By engaging the whole community we aim to increase community cohesiveness and goodwill, promoting an overall positive outlook for all involved.
Baked by Erica backstory and our dedication to the cause
Baked by Erica was launched in November 2016 with a mission to cultivate joy and happiness one delicious treat at a time. Through the creation of delicious baked treats, we take you to your happy place and provide opportunities to those currently living in poverty.
The first Christmas party we had for the children of this community was in December 2015 funded by savings from our salaries. Unfortunately, in 2016 I had to resign from my full time job due to an injury. Determined to continue delivering the party, I started Baked by Erica to generate funds for our next installment.
Since then, we use 50% of profits from cookie sales to support projects within the community.
The Team
When I say that is me, Erica Urquiaga - the baker and the Erica in "Baked by Erica". I grew up in the capital city of Dipology within the province of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. Growing up, I regularly visited Sipulan or Don Jose Aguirre as this was where the family farm was. Don Jose Aguirre being my great grandfather.
My ties to this community is very deep and strong. When i mention the crew on the ground who deliver our Christmas party project, I have known them since I was a wee one. The "first mate" on this project (Alchie, also known as the one who records every receipt and fronts up the school principal and haggles at the shops back home to get more bang for each buck) is also technically the very first mate I ever had. She was born a full 8 days before me and her mother looked after my two older brothers. We grew up together and with age, are growing wider together as well.
We all know there is no I in team, my partner - Martin Herring - has played a significant role since the first party in 2015. From helping with funding to working out what best to include in the gift packs to keeping me sane when it all seems to be going crazy; Martin, along with my two step daughters also help out in keeping the cookie empire and our community projects on track. Often assisting at markets, packing and labeling, deliveries, and the all important quality control aspect of the cookie business.
Trust me, there is nothing more nerve wracking than waiting for feedback from two kids. They can be more brutal than Gordon Ramsay at times.
The Cookies/Money Makers
Baked by Erica specialises in soft, delicious cookies available in a range of flavours and allergen friendly options. Believing that no one should miss out on a delicious treat, we have gluten, dairy and egg free options.
I first had the cookie when I was about 8 years old, on a very slow ferry ride from Dumaguete to Dipolog. My brother, who had the money, was fast asleep. And I got VERY hunger. So I sneakily and carefully went through our baggage and found a packet of cookies my cousin had sent for her mum. I had a few, just enough so that it didn't look like someone had been through the pack, and I was hooked.
When I migrated to Australia in 2000, I couldn't find these cookies anywhere. My first attempt was an absolute fail. It took another 9 years before I tried again. This time, it was actually edible. My family loved it and the guys and girls on site (back when I was working FIFO) really loved them too. After about a year of testing them out on my "high vis guinea pigs" and after the unplanned unemployment scenario, with Martin's encouragement, the decision was made to test the market and see if we could generate our Christmas party funds from cookie sales.
Thankfully, there are a lot of cookie monsters in Perth and two years on, we are still going.
Flavours include but not limited to: lemon , lemon meringue sandwich, vegan chocolate avocado, red velvet, chocolate mint, chocolate orange, matcha, purple yam, chocolate sprinkles, sprinkle burgers.
Delivery/Postage
Live outside of Perth but still want the cookies? No problemo, cookie monster! Our cookies have made it to Germany, Florida, California, Sydney, Canberra and rural Western Australia. We just need to talk about the postage aspect of things if you want to take on the cookie related rewards and live outside the Perth metropolitan area. Please do keep in mind that postage can get a bit pricey but we will find a way to get the cookies to you in the most cost effective and timely manner.
What we have done so far
Annual Children’s Christmas Party
Baked by Erica has been sponsoring Christmas parties for the kids of Sipulan (Don Jose Aguirre, Zamboanga del Norte) since 2016. The idea is to provide a joyous experience for the children and their families. The number of guests greatly depend on the budget that year, past parties have ranged between 100 to 250 children and their parents.
These are the families who would otherwise miss out on a Christmas feast. We have a crew of close to 15 who live within the community and do all the preparation, catering and serving. The crew do not get paid but enjoy being part of the project so much that by June they are already planning that years party. They especially get a great sense of community and joy when they see the kids throughout the year using the presents they got for Christmas.
We work closely with the crew to brainstorm appropriate gifts. Due to the intense rain they experience in this area, the presents include gum boots, rain coats and umbrellas. The kids also get a lolly bag to enjoy and budget permitting some colouring/activity books and crayons.
The rules for the party are simple: the children do not line up, they are served the food and it is their day to enjoy a party and presents.
School Supplies
At the commencement of the school year for 2018, Baked by Erica donated 50 sets of notebooks, pens and crayons to children in Sipulan.
We also donated snacks for participants of the traditional Flores de Mayo celebration in order to support community engagement for children in town.
Drawing Competition
We sponsored a drawing competition across the Don Jose Aguirre primary and secondary school in 2017. The entrants got to pick between two themes: “What we love most about our town” or "What I am looking forward to the most in 2017". Top three winners for each category (year 1 to 3 4 to 6 and high school) received cash prizes and medals. The idea was to utilise the drawings to produce products. The proceeds of which would then fund future projects.
Sadly, the drawings were washed away during a flood. All before we could get them scanned to get good resolution copies.
Typhoon Tembin Fundraiser for Salug
The day of the 2017 Christmas party was when typhoon Tembin hit this region of the Philippines. Luckily for the residents of Sipulan, the damage was not so bad. There were no lives lost. Unfortunately, the residents of a town two hours south were not as lucky. Salug, Zamboanga del Norte was one of the worst hit by the typhoon. Over 100 lives and houses were lost, some were swept away by flood waters as they slept.
To help out and with the assistance of Fusion Biz Babes, Kenwood, Perth small businesses such as Crisp Copy, Creative Possibility, Claire Tincey Designs, Tirage Wines, Negative Space Studies, The Tea Crowd, Secrets in the Garden, and Roooar Magazine, we were able to raise $600 through a raffle during the Fusion Biz Babes Lisa Messenger event in early 2018.
City of Perth Engagement
We will continue our work supporting various initiatives within the City of Perth.
Baked by Erica is dedicated to fostering relationships and giving back to the community – in Perth and in the Philippines. We have been involved in various fundraising initiatives within the City of Perth, donating cookies and our time to various initiatives such as – GreenBatch launch event, Cancer No Bueno fundraiser, WIMWA fundraiser, Hawaiian Ride for Youth team auction, and other smaller fundraisers (individuals raising funds to help their friends, etc).
Our focus is all about the community – we will continue to work with as many willing partners as possible. Ones who support our cause and are focused on giving back to the community – be it locally or internationally.
Through engaging individuals and corporate entities in our cause we are increasing social responsibility across the board. Sharing the stories of the children going through the program will increase awareness of poverty and its impact to society. Supporting us is a long term commitment to our cause and we will take everyone who believes in us through this journey with us.
The lessons delivered will also provide insights and impact to those who continue to support our cause as we continue to update them on the progress of the program.
The Food for Thought program can be used anywhere in the world wherein poverty or at risk children reside – the data collected through the pilot program, will hopefully encourage more Perth based initiatives in the future.
HELP!
We need your help and support to make things happen now. To start making more positive impact in the lives of hundreds of children.
Please support our cause by choosing one of the rewards on offer. We need all the help we can get and we want to take you on this journey with us. Trust us, our cookies and our purpose are very much worth it!
More information on WHY we are doing this
Essentially our big picture goal is this:
To improve the lives of those who live in poverty. To provide options to those who may not have very many to start with. To cultivate a positive growth mindset and healthy self worth. To strengthen the bonds of community and family. To share knowledge, skills and opportunities. To create joy and happiness through education and livelihood opportunities.
This is the impact we aim to have in the future. To significantly improve the lives and provide opportunities to those who live in poverty in the Philippines. Our dream is huge with our big hairy audacious goal being to build a cafe and shop headquarters in the province of Zamboanga del Norte in the next few years. From this cafe we will provide education, training and employment opportunities. The shop component will showcase the work of various enterprises we will assist to set up via the education and training programs.
Overall we want to empower the community to look within themselves and around their surroundings to identify opportunities to improve their day to day livelihood and generate an income.
Majority of families in the Philippines are torn apart in the search for a better paying job to earn an income enough to meet the needs of their families. Young children are often left behind while parents go away to different regions or different countries in search for better wages. I have seen children meet their father for the first time when they were eight years old. I have met mothers who go in debt to organise their passports and documentation to work as domestic helpers in the Middle East. Some unable to go home for at least 2 years while they pay back their debt and send most of what is left of their monthly pay to their family back home. Others are not so lucky, some never make it back, others are beaten and have to find their way out of such drastic situations.
We will provide opportunities to earn money to sustain their families while still being in the vicinity and be self sufficient. It is a big task,a huge undertaking.
We aim to change the mindset of the next generation, for them to put value on their community and personal relationships, on their self worth and ability to make a positive change within the area. We believe that education and opportunities to explore their own skill set is an important step in empowering the next generation.
Our ultimate goal is the cafe and shop, which we will tackle in the next few years. For now, we aim to deliver programs to encourage the young ones to think differently.With your help, we will get the ball rolling and start making things happen one small step at a time.
Follow us on social media and learn more about Baked by Erica:
https://www.bakedbyerica.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/bakedbyericaperth/
https://www.facebook.com/bakedbyericaperth/
