Philippines
School Scholarships and 'Back to School' Programmes for Street Children
In the Smokey Mountain area of Manila, thousands of families are directly or indirectly dependent on the waste industry. The Young Focus foundation gives these underprivileged children and young people the opportunity to develop themselves intellectually, emotionally, psychologically and mentally through education and personal coaching, in order to escape the vicious circle of poverty. Young Focus ensures that the children from the slums go to school, helps them with homework and provides special education for dropouts and street children. In addition, the families of the Young Focus children are closely involved by providing information. Because Young Focus has been right in the middle of its target group in Tondo Manila since its foundation, it really knows all its children and families.
Contribution from Globewise
Globewise provides scholarships to pay for school fees and all related costs such as books. In addition to regular education programs, Globewise supports the catch-up program that focuses on street children and school drop-outs. With extra guidance and support, more than 1,000 children can go back to school.
Yo ung Focus recently started a Career Development Program. The goal of this program is to reduce the gap between education and the labor market. By giving career workshops, job fairs, teaching job application skills and building a network of potential employers. Globewise helps these young people from the slums to find a job, which significantly improves their future prospects.
Kalinga
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Through Education in the Philippines
In the Philippines, Globewise supports the Kalinga Foundation, which focuses on the education and development of children living in and around the Payatas dumpsite on the outskirts of Manila. More than 140,000 people live near this landfill, many of whom survive by collecting and sorting waste.
Like Globewise, Kalinga believes in providing structural support and views education as the most sustainable form of development. Education is the only true long-term solution to breaking the cycle of poverty.
The foundation carefully selects its students based on motivation and the family's financial situation (below the poverty line). These children attend the Papaya School, founded by Kalinga in 2003. After primary school, they can continue their education through the ‘Apple Project’, which provides scholarships for secondary and vocational education. In 2025, Globewise will contribute to these scholarships.
