Providing meals to 500 street children in Manila

A Legacy of Love: Ms. Laura and Mr. Steve’s Impact on Childhope PH

"It's always good to give back... Being able to give back to a wonderful community of people, the children were very grateful. It was truly the best thing that I could do in honour of my sister, and I know that she's smiling and proud." - Laura

Ms. Laura and Mr. Steve’s efforts are not just about providing food—they bring hope. Every meal they serve is a reminder to the children that they are valued and that there are people willing to invest in their lives. This sense of hope is as important as the physical sustenance they provide, giving the children the courage to envision a future beyond the streets. Childhope Philippines is deeply moved by the heartfelt generosity of Ms. Laura, who recently volunteered alongside Mr. Steve and made a significant donation in honor of her beloved sister, Ms. Melissa. Their dedication extends far beyond traditional philanthropy, transforming the lives of hundreds of children who have found themselves in vulnerable street situations. Through their unwavering commitment, they have not only provided essential resources but also infused hope and a sense of belonging among these children.

Ms. Laura and Mr. Steve's commitment to our cause extends beyond mere financial support. Their hands-on involvement and compassionate approach have made a significant impact on the lives of the children we serve. Their efforts have enabled us to provide 400 hot meals and snacks to the children and also brings them hope and a sense of belonging. Hands-on involvement has been a hallmark of Ms. Laura and Mr. Steve’s approach. Whether serving meals, engaging with the children in meaningful conversations, or participating in outreach activities, they have demonstrated that impactful support involves more than just writing checks. By personally interacting with the children, they have helped foster a sense of community and belonging, breaking the isolation that many of these young lives experience on the streets.

By giving their time and resources, they have provided much-needed support to children who face daily challenges on the streets of Manila. Her donation, made in memory of her sister, Ms. Melissa has not only brought joy and relief to these young lives but also honored her sister’s legacy in a meaningful way.

Ms. Laura and Mr. Steve’s work with Childhope PH is a testament to the power of compassionate involvement. Their dedication serves as an example of how individuals can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. They have not only helped feed the bodies of vulnerable children but also nourished their hearts and minds, giving them a sense of hope and belonging.

In a world where many turn a blind eye to those in need, Ms. Laura and Mr. Steve stand out as beacons of generosity and compassion. Their contributions, both financial and personal, have created a lasting impact on the children served by Childhope PH, reinforcing the idea that when we work together with love and commitment, we can bring about real change.

Childhope’s KalyenDeria:
Mula sa Kusina Patungo sa Nutrisyon ng Mga Bata
(From The Kitchen to The Nutrition of The Children)

Childhope’s programs and projects are holistic to promote the welfare, uphold, and protect children’s rights. With this, children are supported through Childhope’s education, psychosocial interventions, and health and medical services. 

Nutrition is no exception to children’s rights. Thus, Childhope established KalyenDeria in 2021 in response to the pandemic to distribute filling meals to children in street situations aside from the relief assistance they provided during the COVID-19 lockdown.  

KalyenDeria is a mobile kitchen that travels around Manila to distribute meals to Childhope’s beneficiaries. Meal distributions happen 3-4 times weekly from Tuesday to Thursday and sometimes on Saturdays. 400 meals are distributed on the according days, amounting to 1,200-1,600 given meals each week to areas from the northern and southern parts of Manila.

For meal preparation, the personnel of Childhope start preparing and cooking the meals for KalyenDeria before lunch so that the kids will receive their warm meals by lunchtime. However, the time slot has been adjusted recently due to the sweltering heat index and to distribute meals after the children’s school dismissal.

For that reason, the mini trucks are stocked and ready to travel to the designated areas between 3 and 4 in the afternoon instead of the initial lunchtime schedule.

During the KalyenDeria distribution, there are parent and youth leaders who assist in distributing meals. They also act as contact person/s for every area to gather the kids and ensure the distribution will go smoothly.

Thanks to donations, sponsors, and most especially GT Foundation, KalyenDeria has been helping children in street situations since 2021.

Links:

• Less 30-second video of KalyeDeria project for a week.