Kids in The Philippines

     In the Philippines, the indigenous Mangyan hill tribe is forced into the most isolated areas of Mindoro Island. The Mangyans suffer from severe malnutrition, poverty, disease, discrimination, and lack of education and employment opportunities.
     The Kids’ Co-op and its board members donate directly to “San Lorenzo Ruiz Learning and Formation Center.” This is a live-in community that provides food, shelter, education, and employment to the Mangyans. The school is directed by Rosalina Melendres who was nominated for the “Mother Therese of the Philippines Award” in 2006.
     In an effort to help these children, we have donated high protein food for the Mangyans like eggs and milk, also school supplies, and five acres of land for the use of growing bananas, bell peppers, ginger and other produce. We have also provided the Mangyans with a microfinance loan to purchase seeds, fertilizers, and farm tools. Our organization has also given scholarship assistance and money to students in this area in order to help them succeed.