They say education is free. But in reality, one out of every 6 Filipino children do not go to school.
Project Malasakit is a scholarship project founded by broadcast journalist Kara Patria David in 2002. Despite the growing cynicism in the country, Project Malasakit believes that Filipinos are naturally compassionate. We just need a credible, concrete vehicle to channel our “malasakit”. It is our mission to bridge the gap between Filipinos who want to help and Filipino children who need to be helped.
Project Malasakit’s first scholar was a child laborer named Myra Demillo. Myra lived in a remote mountain community in Mindoro Oriental. Kara was doing a documentary on communities that have not been reached by electricity in this modern age. In spite of the darkness that surrounds them, the children of Little Baguio, Mindoro Oriental remain optimistic about their future. They see education as a light that will guide them out of darkness. With the help of some donors, we were able to support Myra through high school and even send her to college. Our budget: only 1,000 pesos per month!
After seven years of support, Myra now has her own computer and cell phone repair shop and is supporting the education of her siblings.
Shown here is Myra Demillo’s college graduation in 2006. Today, Project Malasakit has 25 scholars from all over the country — supporting the education of the children from elementary till college.
We also have outreach projects for the communities of our scholars and also do feeding projects. With “malasakit”, we can change the world, one child at a time! This is a story of hope.
Our strategy is simple.
There is a misconception that money alone can solve poverty. It is very easy to give out money to the poor. But change can never be truly achieved with dole-outs. “Magkaiba ang “pagpapa-asa” at “pagbibigay ng pag-asa.” (To give charity is not the same as to give hope.)
We do not want to create parasites out of children. We want to help them help themselves.
Instead of giving funds to the scholar’s family, we course the donation through the school principal or an advisor/counselor. The children must perform in order for them to continue receiving our support.
Instead of giving funds to the scholar’s family, we course the donation through the school principal or an advisor/counselor. The children must perform in order for them to continue receiving our support.
How can you help?
With just 2,000 pesos ($40) per month, you can help send a poor Filipino child to school, change their lives and give them a decent future.
| Elementary and Highschool | P2,000 per month to cover transportation, food, and school projects P1,500 per year for tuition, uniform, student “ID”, PTA, etc. |
| College | Tuition varies widely while a minimum of P 2,000 monthly allowance is for food, transportation, etc. |