8 to Educate

Children's Month draws to a close in the Philippines and we're reminded of the importance of education in the lives of the country's children. Virlanie Foundation, Inc and eight high-end restaurants in Serendra and along Bonifacio High Street in Global City, Taguig have partnered on a new campaign to highlight education for those who perhaps need it the most: street children.

From now until December 31st, 2009, eating at any one of the eight participating restaurants will help educate a street child. Arama, Cav, Chelsea, Cupcakes by Sonja, Fu, Healthy Kitchen, Sentro 1771 and Xocolat will make a donation to Virlanie for every designated menu item ordered. Eager to participate in the campaign, the staff of each restaurant has been learning about Virlanie and its eight educational initiatives.

Virlanie and its campaign partners are keen that concern for education extends beyond mealtimes and they've made it easy for patrons to support the education of a street child from only PHP800 per month.

Virlanie Foundation is a private non-sectarian child-caring institution in Manila. Its cares for street children who are abandoned, abused, made to work and are found living in the streets. They're welcomed into its homes. Annually it cares for more than 300 children in its 12 homes and last year cared for 700 more through its outreach programs.

Support fo Virlanie's cause comes from many quarters. For a year already, world famous singer Billy Crawford, has been the foundation's Goodwill Ambassador. Recruited by founder Dominique Lemay, Billy has seen Virlanie's work up close: "I visited the homes and it was really impressive how these kids are being taken care of. It's all year round, not just for the Christmas season." Billy freely admits that " I wouldn't be who I am today if I hadn't been 'in need' at some point in my life... and it's on those crucial times when any helping hand is always a blessing." Billy understands the importance of education and backs Virlanie on its newest campaign to come to the aid of the city's most vulnerable children.