For a common observer, Juliet, 17, (name has been changed to protect identity) look like any other girls of her age. However, she had quite an extraordinary childhood—Juliet used to roam the streets of Metro Manila from a very young age. Her single mother was unemployed, so she was forced to work so she can buy food.
Passion for learning
Juliet shared, “I used to ride jeepneys and clean the passenger’s shoes hoping they give me money”, the teenager recalls. She pauses. Talking about her past doesn’t come easy. “You know… my mother used to physically abused me.” She mutters. In the street, she faced more abuse, disease, and exploitation. Facing this harsh reality, going to school became optional and finishing her education, a distant dream.
Virlanie helps former street children like Juliet to break this cycle by providing not only a loving and caring home, but also giving them an education. Juliet is one of the young girls living in the Elizabeth Home. Surrounded by Mamas and Titas caring for the girls, Juliet slowly gained back her confidence and desire to learn.
Living in the streets limits most children’s opportunities before they have even begun to realize their full potential. It is Virlanie’s mandate to save more children and create more Juliet’s out of them—responsible individuals who value education and dream big to help others. You can help them achieve this goal. Sponsor a child’s education thru Give2achieve!
Give2Achieve Campaign is a nonformal education initiative of Virlanie Foundation that aims to secure the possibility of providing support services to their beneficiary children that will help them harness their capacities.
With your kind heart to donate any amount for the success of this campaign, you can help them sustain their 4 non-formal education programs, namely: SiBuHi, iLead/Open Day Centre, Magellan Learning Centre, and our Independent Living Program. They are knocking to your kind hearts for this cause to keep going.
For donations, visit GavaGives and let us altogether bring back the smile of these street children.
