• The Philippines have a population of about 106 million people, which include approximately 4.5 million homeless people or living in informal settlements in the Philippines (based on the current study conducted by WHO).
• 250,000 children are estimated to be in the street situation in the Philippines and 30,000 children are estimated to be in the streets of Metro Manila and the national capital region (NCR).
• Despite rapid economic growth in recent years, the Philippines is still facing poverty and persisting inequalities which deeply impact the children. In the poorest urban communities, multiple problems need to be addressed: child labor, poor education, high incident of malnutrition, child neglect, child abuse, exploitation and child trafficking.
• These children, being vulnerable to various forms of abuse, are considered at risk and therefore in need of special protection.
• 31.4% of Pilipino children were living below the poverty line in 2015, 8 in 10 children in street situation experience some form of violence, 3 in 10 Filipino children do or complete primary education and 2.85 million Filipino children aged 5 to 15 years old are out of school.
• As the needs of most of the children, youth, and families in street situations go unaddressed, it is up to non-government organizations (NGOs) to contribute in providing them with appropriate and quality services.

Goals

• To alleviate poverty among Filipino children who have been abandoned, abused, exploited or neglected, among orphans, and among the poorest of the poor. For instance by distributing bags of rice, drinking water and milk.
• To provide housing, food, clothing and affection for the orphans, in a family setting with a homely atmosphere. For instance by buying building materials to renovate the houses where the children live.
• To provide medical and dental treatment and improve health situation.

Myriad Canada is working with Fondation Virlanie  to implement this project. Fondation Virlanie was created in 1992 by Dominique Lemay and friends who were social workers in the Philippines. The Foundation implements programs, which are specifically designed to address the needs of street, poor and marginalized children, youth and young adults.  Since its creation, it helped more than 17,000 children and youth in need.The Foundation implement a holistic approach through 7 pillars (community, Street, Residential homes, Health, Education, Integration, and advocacy) that work towards the achievement of 12 out of the 17 (SDGs) Sustainable Development Goals.