Family to Family, Inc.

Family to Family is an organization I had never heard of (and probably never would have) until my dear friend, Rosemary, wrote me about it and I’m so grateful she did.   The mission statement of Family to Family reads, “We are a non-profit organization operating on Camiguin Island in the southern Philipines.  We are dedicated to provide medical and educational assistance to children in need.” (www.family2family.org)

In Rosemary’s words: 

This organization started as simply the good deeds of a young couple in the Philippines after the Vietnam War, and has expanded into a small, but highly effective charity that provides healthcare, foster-homes, and education for marginalized kids on one of the islands.   

The wife, Diane, was a college classmate of mine. I've always been delighted to support them not only because of the good they do, but because they do it in a familial, non-institutional way, in a way consistent with the culture of the locals, and they maximize every penny.

A few tidbits about the programs (from the brochure located on the homepage of the website):

·         Elementary Boarding School for drop-outs

·         Language classes for the deaf (20 deaf students are enrolled)

·         Financial assistance to graduates to enroll in high school

·         Assistance for children with physical handicaps

·         School supplies for public school students

·         Foster care for infants and toddlers

If you are having the kind of day when you need to know there are indeed, good people in this world, check out the “About Us” page on their website.  I can only imagine the impact this couple has had over the past forty years, considering all the children with whom they’ve come in contact and have helped.

For more information about Family to Family:  www.family2family.org

How can we get involved?:

-The funding for this organization is mainly from private contributions.  They receive no assistance from the government, etc.  To make a donation, use the address listed on the homepage, NOT the one on the brochure.

-There’s a volunteer nursing opportunity (one year, free room and board)

-The newest newsletter will be available in June

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you’re doing the impossible.” ~St. Francis of Assisi