One of the series of OTWOMD is about featuring relevant civic projects to help alleviate the poor and the suffering. I was fortunate to have come across this wonderful group of people who use time, talent and treasure in fulfilling their social responsibility with the underprivileged children. It’s amazing how a simple dream to help others becomes a full blown organization in the long run. These individuals who started in small things are now making waves in changing the landscape of Philippine poverty by starting with the basics and grassroots of the family– the children. Let us know more about this project which they call PEARLS and somehow join them in their quest making simple dreams, a reality among the children of the poor.

Who They Are

Project PEARLS is a registered non-profit organization in the State of California. Its mission is to help underprivileged children in the Philippines to have a better life by giving them PEARLS: PEACE. EDUCATION. ASPIRATION. RESPECT. LOVE. SMILE.

We are just a small group of family and friends who share the same mission and passion in trying to make a difference in the lives of the poorest of the poor children in the Philippines.

Their Mission

Our mission is to simply help these underprivileged children in the Philippines. Our priority is to heal and nourish them first – their young and fragile minds, bodies and souls. Through our different outreach programs, we are hoping we can give them PEACE, EDUCATION, ASPIRATION, RESPECT, LOVE, SMILE.

Hundreds of malnourished children living in Ulingan are facing starvation on a daily basis. Maybe someday the new Philippine Government will help them by putting together a nutrition and health care program. But their precious lives are at stake!

And someday is not an option; waiting for the government to help is not an option. Our mission to feed and nourish these children is URGENT!

About The Co-Founders

Project PEARLS is founded by Melissa Villa and daughter, Francesca in 2008. Project PEARLS was established initially to help the daughters of Melissa’s childhood friend, Tina who is deaf and mute. When Francesca met Tina and her daughters, Luz and Desiree, she was touched not only by their sad fate but also by their eagerness about going to school. Francesca promised she will help them with their school needs.

Tina and daughters are living in the slums in Caloocan City; because Tina only washes clothes for others as a source of living, her eldest daughter, Desiree hasn’t been attending school. At 15, Desiree was only able to finish 4th grade. While her youngest, Luz (bless her heart) is very eager and excited about getting a good education. Unfortunately, Desiree is not as motivated as Luz about getting educated and totally quit attending school. Luz is still a Project PEARLS scholar and still loving school!

Born and raised in Caloocan City, Melissa has seen urban poverty in the Metropolitan Manila. She is now currently living in San Francisco Bay area. She realized how a small portion of her income in dollars can go along way in helping other children like Luz.

Since Project PEARLS was established, Melissa and Francesca, with the help of Project PEARLS’ dedicated volunteers and donors, have been putting a smile in hundreds of children’s faces through the different outreach programs of Project PEARLS.

Our PEARLS Angels

Without these dedicated and hard working volunteers, Project PEARLS will just remain a dream. Not only they get their outreach jobs done, but they are exceptionally compassionate and passionate about helping these underprivileged children to have better lives.

How to Volunteer

Reach out a hand to one and inspire and influene the hands of all. Get involved and help us improve the lives of these underprivileged children in the Philippines.

Current Volunteer Opportunities

1. Ulingan Kids Outreach Project

Project PEARLS and Photo Kalye volunteers have been visiting our children at Ulingan two Saturdays a month. The meeting place is at the front of Manila Hotel between 7 am and 7:30 am. Our schedule this September is on the 11th and 25th.

We bring them food items, books, toys, clothes and other donated items we have on hand. Work alongside our Project Leaders at Ulingan and help in the distribution; help in making the children feel loved.

2. Food Drive

Food drive is very critical to our ongoing mission of collecting and redistributing food to the poor and hungry children and families. We accepts food donations year round.

Organize a food drive at your workplace, neighborhood. Please ask your family and friends to donate food items such as rice, canned fruit & vegetables, canned meats and fish, peanut butter, noodles, pasta, beans, canned soup, oatmeal, powdered milk, snacks for kids.

For more information you can go to their official website at www.projectpearls.org

or you can contact one of the following PEARLS Angels

UNITED STATES

Melissa Villa
melissa@projectpearls.org
650.438.1730

Francesca Villa Mateo
650-452-4661

PHILIPPINES

Juan Villa
Text: 09298258341

Cathy Baculi
cathy@projectpearls.org
Text: 09228219875

Joyce Fajardo
joyce@projectpearls.org
Text: 09062755970