FATHER Tritz (left), with one of his foundation’s young beneficiaries.
The Erda Foundation is an NGO founded by Father Pierre Tritz, SJ, a French Jesuit who recently celebrated his 100th birthday in the Chinese calendar. The French-born, Chinese-educated, naturalized Filipino lives his life in the service of poor Pinoy children—truly a man for others!
Forty years ago, Father Tritz set out to prove that honest and goal-oriented NGOs could alleviate poverty: In 2000, he was accorded the St. Ignatius Award by the Ateneo. His aim was to break the cycle of poverty in our country’s poorest areas by way of education.
Well-loved
So, the well-loved priest put up the Educational Research and Development Assistance (Erda), which provides uniforms and school supplies for preschoolers and elementary students, as well as social services for their families.
According to Erda executive director, Dolora Cardeno, the foundation has assisted over half a million students.
In 1992, Father Tritz put up the Erda Technical and Vocational Secondary School in Pandacan, Manila, where cash-strapped students can obtain a free high school education and special training to help them find gainful employment.
Erda Tech has been adopted by Xavier School.
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E-mail mandynavasero@yahoo.com, or call 896-3208. Holy Week 2014 is reserved for the Marinduque Photo Safari during the Moriones Festival.