Hello

Really I'm not entirely sure if this counts as an introduction as I actually joined this forum in July 2102. At that time I was planning to take a career break and was looking for some suggestions of charitable organisations in the Philippines where I could go and volunteer. Thankfully some of the members here generously took the time to send a list of possible options for me to contact.
Just recently I returned to the UK after spending the last two and a half years with the PCF foundation in Manila. PCF runs a school catering for around 500 children living in and around the dumpsites in the Tondo district of Manila. The charity provides the children with daily feeding, healthcare and social services as well DepEd accredited education. Additionally PCF also runs community development programmes giving safe, dignified and paid work for the mothers of the children who would otherwise be forced to scavenge for a living. Because of my past commercial experience I agreed to volunteer in order to help this programme, initially for a period of just six months. However I ended up staying on and was subsequently privileged to be offered the position of general manager for the foundation.
The time I spent in Manila was truly life changing, working alongside some incredible and selfless people to try and provide real opportunities through education for some of the poorest and most disadvantaged children in the Philippines. It was the most difficult, yet at the same time the most humbling and rewarding experience I've ever known.
Even now after returning to the UK I know that part of me will always remain in Manila and I am sure that I will return again (many times I hope) to visit my newfound Pinoy brothers and sisters.
I therefore just wanted to take this opportunity albeit somewhat belatedly to give a massive thank you to the British Filipino forum members who helped me embark upon this journey in the first place.
Salamat
Philip

This is a short fundraising video that we made for PCF last year. It tells the story of 3 of our students

Nice information Philip and thanks for sharing.

I salute you for imparting your life to my fellowmen! Thanks for sharing your devotion,life,time,talent,skilss and effort. Thank you so much! you are one in a million...

Hello Phil,
Welcome back.

So glad to learn you took up that volunteering and happy to hear you recall the times you enjoyed and the new friends made.

Sincere thanks and respect to you.

Well done

You should be very proud of yourself Phil, I take my hat off to you.

Thanks guys for all of the kind words - but in all honesty during my time in Manila I feel as if I received so much more than I actually gave. For someone whose entire working life up to that point had been rather dull and corporate it was great to finally do something that felt 'real' and made a positive contribution in other people's lives.
Not only were the kids attending the PCF school a constant source of inspiration to me and the other staff but through them we welcomed Senator Poe to the school along with the British Ambassador, and even met Princess Anne during her trip to Manila earlier this year.
This summer I had to return to the UK for personal reasons and at the moment I am considering what to do next, but really I can see myself returning to Manila again before too long to continue with this work which continues to grow both in its geography and scope. At the moment the NHA is undertaking a large scale relocation program whereby they are reclaiming the land around the port area in Tondo and moving many of the former dumpsite residents to relocation sites in Pandi and Batia, Bulacan. For those moving to these areas there are very few options available by which to generate a sustainable income. The foundation therefore now needs to address this issue in order to help build working communities.

PS. Micawber I checked out my initial enquiry to British Filipino in 2012 and it was your advice that recommended PCF as a possible volunteering option. Therefore if it wasn't for your kind assistance I may never have gone to the Philippines in the first place. Many thanks

That is a very emotive and humbling video @Philip5705. I admire the work you and your colleagues are doing in The Philippines, it brought a tear to my eye seeing how you have transformed the lives of those children living in poverty. Most of us on this forum have had our lives changed in some way by being members, but usually because we have sought the help of fellow members to bring our loved one's into the UK or maybe immigrating to The Philippines. But you and PCF are changing the lives of hundreds of young people, selflessly giving your time to help others. I look forward to more stories like this.

Well done that man you should be very proud of your contribution to help those kids.

Aaahhwww... thanks for your time and help.. respect and appreciation for all that you've done xxx

Well done Philip

Hi Philip, glad you enjoyed your time with PCF in Manila. They do a brilliant job - my wife & I each started sponsoring a child several years ago & to see them develop (academically & physically) is good & rewarding to see.