Project P-E-A-R-L-S

Sundance: A Good Corporate Citizen

2010-08-24T00:26:00.000-07:00

Project PEARLS would like to thank Sundance for their very, very generous donation of new children's clothes and foot wear. All these clothes and foot wear will be distributed to all the children in our different outreach programs. Christmas arrives early for these kids this year!!!

Thank you Sundance for your all out support to Project PEARLS and for being a socially responsible and compassionate corporate citizen!!

Ulingan Outreach Project UPDATE

2010-08-19T06:47:00.000-07:00

Every first and third Saturdays of each month, Project PEARLS and Photo Kalye are scheduled to visit our children.

Together, we will be distributing 100 First Aid Kits to the children. Thank you so much for the following donors who sponsored these kits: Bailey from Quezon City, Ulf Gervelmeyer of Germany, Annie from Georgia, Jordan from Australia, Nylesor from Israel! Angels from all over the world!!! Special thanks to my BFF/Angel, Annie Fajardo for putting these kits together-from purchasing to packaging!

Vitamins and Medicines:

1 bottle of Paracetamol syrup 60 ml for Fever- Php 26.10 @
1 bottle of Carbocisteine syrup 60 ml for Colds- Php 30.15 @
1 bottle of Phenylpropanolamine syrup 60 ml for Cough - Php31.50 @
3 Loperamide capsules - Php 1.12 each for Diarrhea (3 pcs each kit)
1 bottle Ascorbic acid 100 mg 60 ml for vitamins - Php 25.65 @

Wound Care Kit:

800 band aids @ 1.25 (8 pieces per kit)
100 bags of Cotton
100 bottles of Agua Oxenada

Grand Total Cost for 100 Kits is Php 15,287

Aside from these kits, bags for rice, snacks for the kids, and a special gift for the teacher in appreciation of her hard work, love and dedication will be distributed.

Photo Kalye (bless their hearts!) will be bringing linoleum for the day care center; they will be installing them to make the floor more comfortable for our children, they will also be bringing other materials to fix and improve the make-shift day care center; they are also bringing food items for the children.

On top of these all, there will be two volunteer nurses who would attend the children's scrapes cuts, scratches, punctured skins.

Thank you Cathy and brother, John for coordinating this!!

It will be a very busy but very, very rewarding and blessed day!!! THANK YOU ALL!

Our Ulingan Outreach Project

2010-08-17T12:43:00.000-07:00

Get Involved. Advocate. Share. Contribute.

Anyone can help. Anyone can make a difference.

Our Philippine and USA Volunteers working simultaneously :)

2010-08-15T23:05:00.000-07:00

Last night, our USA volunteers were packing snacks for our children in Dagupan and Bulacan.

And while our Philippine volunteers were packing bags of rice and children's books yesterday afternoon for our Ulingan children to be distributed this Saturday...

Thank you for making a real difference! You guys hold the power in creating a positive change :) !

If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one. ~Mother Teresa

2010-08-14T22:16:00.000-07:00

Hundreds of malnourished children living in Ulingan are facing starvation on a daily basis. Maybe someday the new Philippine Government will help them by putting together a nutrition and health care program. But their precious lives are at stake!

And someday is not an option; waiting for the government to help is not an option. Our mission to feed and nourish these children is URGENT!

PLEASE HELP! We are in need of rice, canned goods, noodles, powdered milk, fresh fruit and veggies.

We just started feeding these kids last Saturday and right now we can only commit to every other week and hopefully with people's generosity we can feed them once a week and eventually every single day!

PLEASE HELP!

Un-break their Hearts

2010-08-12T08:18:00.000-07:00

Of all the photos of the children from our volunteers' first visit at Ulingan, these break my heart!

Please help us make in un-breaking their hearts and souls. Let's help us make them validate themselves that they are beautiful inside and out!

Project PEARLS, in partnership with Photo Kalye, has an Outreach Program at Ulingan. Our teams will be visiting these children every first and third Saturday of each month.

On August 21, we are bringing bags of rice, snacks for the children and First Aid Kits that contain:

Vitamins and Medicines:

1 bottle Paracetamol syrup 60 ml - Fever
1 bottle Carbocisteine syrup 60 ml - Cold1 Phenylpropanolamine syrup 60 ml - Cough
3 Loperamide capsules Diarrhea
1 bottle Ascorbic acid 100 mg 60 ml - Vitamins

Wound Care Kit:
800 band aids (8 pieces per kit)
100 bags of Cotton 100
100 bottles of Agua Oxenada

We are also mobilizing two volunteer nurses who will take care of the children's wounds and rashes.

Please help us feed them. Please help us heal them.

Get Involved. Advocate. Share. Contribute.

Anyone can help. Anyone can make a difference.

I am humbled.

2010-08-10T22:35:00.000-07:00

An excerpt from an email from an Angel in Germany:

Dear Melissa,

I was living in the Philippines for 1 year, between 2006 and 2007, so i´ve seen a lot of your great home country.

When I was in the Philippines for 12 month, everybody, doesn´t matter if rich or poor - was good to me and i´ve got the chance to learn a lot about life and the world. No-one ever has tried to cheat the "rich kano".

The Philippines gave me a lot and opened my eyes a little bit wider than before. People on this planet have to come together and share their values to make a better world. When we will return in 10 yrs we will start business over there again and also we will start social work - because: what is money for ? to get the next bigger car or the next better laptop ? I don´t think so. To look in a smiling kid´s face and to see it growing up with better education and a bigger chance for a good life is much more important than playing around with a new gadget.

The Philippines is a gorgeous country, full of great honorable people. And the country needs much more people like you or Efren to move social things and a global social thinking forward.

Keep on doing this work. Keep on helping people and children. People like you and your helpers are much more worthful for your country than any of the politicians. You help to build the great future of a great country.

I wish you and your volunteers all the best deep from my heart. Always keep your chin up, please never give up.

Best regards,

Ulf

And I promised I will never give up ... Melissa

God keeps sending ANGELS my way!

2010-08-10T12:21:00.000-07:00

If you asked: "Natutulog ba ang Diyos" (Does God Sleep?), I can attest that He doesn't as He listens to my prayers for the children of Ulingan 24/7!!!

Our angel Bailey donated 1500 pesos to help us with our feeding program at Ulingan. But he didnt stop there, he continues to refer us to other generous people. And because of Bailey, we are receiving two box full of new children's clothings from Sundance Direct Sales.

Liza, an old college friend, a true angel from the very beginning donated 1000 pesos.

Lorelie, a good friend, an angel with beautiful hair :) donated $30.

My great friend, Chris Roesch and an angel who's been my number one fan patiently made several God's Eyes Crafts for our Ulingan children; donated several children's books and a ziplock full of coins!!

My Prada family in Manhattan, New York donated a box full of classic children's books.

Just yesterday, I got cash donations from people I don't even know or personally met! They are friends of friends of friends of friends!

Ulf Gervelmeyer , an angel all the way from Germany who's been in the Philippines a couple of times and love our country and Filipinos, made a $100 donation.

Annie, a Filipina angel in Georgia who unselfishly chose to donate her birthday gifts to us instead of buying something for herself.

And this one breaks my heart, Nylesor Tadeso - she's a Filipino caregiver and Angel in Israel. She gave her hard-earned salary to Project PEARLS to help the children in Ulingan.

And a great friend of mine, Mr. Anonymous, my mentor angel, donated 18,000 pesos to buy rice each month for Ulingan for one year!

My kindergarten best friend and angel, Annie has been spending countless hours looking for corporate sponsorship and doctors who could help us with our medical mission.

The Fajardo Angels! The entire family who has been very supportive of all our efforts!!!

Joyce, Malex, Cathy, Mon, Nonoy! My super angels who gets things done and always go beyond expectations!!

Our Pasa LOVE angels in Dagupan! Thank you for all the inspirations and for always making me cry because you guys always touched my heart with everything you do; for bringing the church to the people instead. I love you guys!!!

Photo Kalye Angels!!! (A Flickr-based group of aspiring photographers who share the same passion and dedication to document street life as they experience it and in raising social awareness on poverty and the effects it has on our children.) Thank you for allowing us to be your partners in this great outreach!!! And to its President, Peegee - thank you for your patience and humility!!!

Donna Bernardo Rosario, the great angel of Pusong Pinoy! Thank you for all the encouragement and support.

My baby angel, Francesca! My one and only daughter for dedicating 20% of the sales proceeds from her t-shirt line, Empire in the Air. And to my husband, Clif for being supportive and understanding.

I am beyond overwhelmed!!! It took me several sleepless nights to process all these... I am still blown away by the generosity and kindness of these angels.

I thank each one of you from the very bottom of my heart for sharing my mission and vision for the children of Ulingan and for trusting me and Project PEARLS!

And God, thank you for sending me all these angels!!! Keep them coming :) please as we have a long way to go!!!

God help us!!!

2010-08-07T10:13:00.000-07:00

How could it be possible that I am overwhelmed with joy and pain at the very same time???

It finally happened!!! Project PEARLS and Photo Kalye's first teamed-up visit at Ulingan! I am overjoyed that it finally happened and that those kids were given bags and bags of rice, canned goods, treats, used clothes, books, slippers.

The kids feel so loved and they are so happy!!!

This is just a very small dent in the overall needs, urgent needs of these children and the whole community.

I am overwhelmed too with this heartache with what I saw from these pictures that I can't stop crying. I am panicking from this sense of urgency inside me.

We have an urgent plea for help for the children of Ulingan. We are in need of the following: Adhesive Bandages, Antiseptic Wash, Children's Vitamins, Cough and Cold Medicine, First Aid Antibiotic Ointment, Rice, Canned Goods, Clothing, Shoes and Slippers, School & Teacher Supplies.

GOD HELP US!

Thank you to all these wonderful volunteers who despite of the inhuman condition of Ulingan, they still served these children with big smiles!

Not only I believe in MIRACLES, I rely on them!

2010-08-06T07:48:00.000-07:00

My miracles are my Project PEARLS volunteers, friends and supporters and our new partners and friends, Photo Kalye.

I have been hurting and crying over these children for over two months now and felt helpless and hopeless; but not only I believe in miracles, I rely on them because tomorrow Project PEARLS volunteers and our Photo Kalye friends will go to Ulingan to visit these children. They will distribute rice, canned goods, snacks to these kids.

This is just a start of our Outreach Program at Ulingan.

My utmost sincere gratitude to Photo Kalye for allowing and trusting Project PEARLS to partner with them. And with the great leadership and kindness of Photo Kalye's President, Pedro Gerardo, I am confident we are partners for life in helping these children.

And thank you Sidney, my friend, for all the inspiration, encouragement and support!

Project PEARLS + Pasa LOVE = 200 happy children!!!

2010-08-02T19:56:00.000-07:00

“It is in the GIVING or the doing that we help ourselves!” The children were served and our volunteers found a purpose: Doing something good for others.

Thanks Malex for this beautiful video!!!

Champorado and Comradeship!!!

2010-07-31T18:31:00.000-07:00

Champorado cooked and served with love = Priceless Comradeship! We can't thank you enough Pasa LOVE for the love you pass to everyone around you! And thank you so much Project PEARLS volunteers for waking up at 3 am, travelled almost 4 hours to Pangasinan from Manila, be of service to these children, and make new friends for life!!!

Kindred Spirits: Project PEARLS & Pasa LOVE Volunteers

2010-07-31T15:33:00.000-07:00

Just yesterday morning at Barangay Pantal, Dagupan City, over 200 underprivileged children were fed with champorado and cheese pan de sal by our Project PEARLS and Pasa Love teams.

Despite the exhaustion from cooking, traveling, entertaining and serving, our volunteers still went to bed with big smiles on their faces as their hearts (and souls) were fed by gratitude from these children.

The new friendships formed? It's just an icing on the cake :)

Thank you guys!!! And thank you Malex for the beautiful pictures.

NOTE: Project PEARLS and Pasa LOVE teamed up for a feeding program in Pantal, Dagupan City. Started in July, every Saturday morning, over 200 children will be fed with a nutritious meal.

Please help us continue this program.

Bound by Compassion

2010-07-25T23:03:00.000-07:00

Our Project PEARLS team and Pasa LOVE team are joining forces this Saturday, July 31 to feed 200+ underprivileged children in Pantal, Dagupan City. This Feeding Program is held every Saturday morning.

We will be feeding the children champorado and pan de sal with cheese. Our teams will also spend quality time with these children. There will be singing, praying, educational activities.

Bound by compassion and faith, our teams are ready, willing and able to serve! Go Project PEARLS! Go Pasa Love! Let Go, Let God!!!

When was the last time we had a meaningful "TGIF"?

2010-07-19T22:46:00.000-07:00

This Friday, Our PASA LOVE family will have a "Thank God It's Friday" in its true meaning! Together with other churches, they will be at Region 1 Hospital Center in Dagupan City to feed hundreds and hundreds of patients, staffs and almost everybody in the hospital.

Let's all have a meaningful TGIF with them this coming Friday.

How?

Pray. Volunteer. Donate.

To learn more, please click here.

"Bailey" Villanueva: Another Kind Soul

2010-07-19T01:03:00.000-07:00

Project PEARLS have received over 200 bags as donations to be given to our children; our volunteers distributed these bags in Bulacan, Caloocan, Guimaras.

What is so amazing and so touching is the trust that this anonymous donor aka "Bailey" has given us. We are truly blessed, honored and humbled.

Thank you Sir Bailey!!! :)

A 2nd Birthday for a Cause

2010-07-19T00:48:00.000-07:00

Cathy, our dedicated Project PEARLS angel celebrated and honor her daughter's 2nd birthday by sharing their blessings to the less fortunate children in their neighborhood in Bulacan. They prepared spaghetti for a hundred children. How very special and priceless is that?

Happy Birthday Andi!! And Cathy, thank you very, very much! You are an inspiration!!!

Thank you to Cathy's family too for always supporting and helping her and Project PEARLS!!!

If this won't make you think, feel and act, I don't know what else ?

2010-07-15T07:43:00.000-07:00

This is Buboy, a 4 year old scavenger at "Smokey Mountain". He managed to collect some plastic spoons and cups and planned to sell for few cents.

But his older brother, Alvin stole them from him! Buboy not only cried but wailed endlessly for Alvin to return his collection. But Alvin sold it for 3 pesos.

Buboy is just one of the many children living in these dumpsites sifting through garbage and exchange their collection in junk shops for a few pesos. You think they will buy a small toy or a candy for the small change they earned, but no... they rather help their families buy the essential needs to survive like rice and dried fish. And to many of these young children, they were forced by their parents to sift through garbage and come home with some cash rather sending them to school.

We can all make a difference in young their lives. Please help us with this Mission Not So Impossible!

Eat, Pray, Love: The Project PEARLS & PASA LOVE Way!

2010-07-11T17:23:00.000-07:00

Our heartfelt gratitude to our PASA LOVE family for a very successful and rewarding Feed the Children Program. These dedicated, God-sent volunteers always go beyond the call of duty; not only they fed more than 200 children, but they also did the cooking, entertaining, cleaning-up and most of all praying with the kids! THANK YOU!!! To see these children eating, praying and loving is just overwhelming and it feels they are all embracing our hearts!

Thank you so much again PASA LOVE for always bringing the church to these children and families!

And They Shall Be Fed...

2010-07-08T23:14:00.000-07:00

Starting this Saturday, these kids and almost 200 more will be fed with a hearty meal every Saturday. These kids live at Pantal, a highly populated squatter/slum area in Dagupan City.

This is the Feed the Children Program of Project PEARLS and Pasa LOVE!

Please support Project PEARLS and Pasa LOVE with this ministry.

Get Involved. Advocate. Share. Contribute.

Please contact us to learn how you can make a difference.

Feed The Children: Another Joint Ministry with Pasa Love

2010-07-03T01:18:00.000-07:00

After a very rewarding and successful School Supplies Program, Project PEARLS and Pasa Love will be partnering again, this time to feed the children in Pantal, a very populated slum area in Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

Every Saturday, the team of Pasa Love goes to Pantal to do their children's ministry called D'KIDS (Destiny Kids) and spend a very quality time with these less fortunate children. They pray, read bible stories, teach them, sing, play, do arts and crafts and other values formation activities and feed them.

Project PEARLS pledged to help Pasa Love in feeding these children. We are anticipating to feed up to 200 children every Saturday.

Please partner with us too. We can all make a difference.

You can help our Feed The Children program by sending a secure online donation today.

THANK YOU!

Mission Not So Impossible!

2010-07-01T21:50:00.000-07:00

I must spread the word. I must raise the awareness. I must help. Please watch and hopefully you too can spread the word, raise the awareness, and HELP!

Guimaras: Our Last Stop for our School Supplies Program

2010-06-27T21:58:00.000-07:00

We concluded our school supplies program in Guimaras, Iloilo! Thank you to our dedicated volunteers, Nonoy and Mon for going all the way to Guimaras.

Again, thank you to everyone who supported Project Pearls! Without your support and trust, we couldn't make this School Supplies Program possible!

Touched by Angels

2010-06-25T01:11:00.000-07:00

God works in mysterious ways through family, friends, strangers and angels. And Project PEARLS are touched by these angels from PASA LOVE - a group of young volunteers whose ministry is to bring the church to the people.

These angels not only touched my life personally but they also validate our own humble mission of helping these underprivileged children in the Philippines.

(left to right:Orville, Israel, Nikka, Jonathan)

I am featuring excerpts from their recent blogs:

Angel Israel Tarlit: PEARLS are for KIDS not PIGS

We never expected the connection we will make because of PASA LOVE. We just wanted to be a blessing to our community so we decided to bring the church to the people. We didn’t know that there would be people out there who are just as passionate as we are in serving the people in the communities especially the kids. What’s so surprising is that helping people especially kids know no boundaries or denominations. It’s simply an issue of desire to help and partnering with people of the same passion and purpose.

Reaching the people in the community is hard work and can be expensive. But despite this enormous challenge, God only wants to see our hearts and the He open doors for us to accomplish reaching the underprivileged people. And this is where Project PEARLS found us. It’s humbling to note that THEY found US. Project PEARLS is a personal ministry devoted to uplifting the children’s lives by giving them PEARLS: Peace, Education, Aspiration, Respect, Love, & Smiles. It’s a ministry born out of deep conviction that children deserves something better other than poverty.

Angel Jonathan Tamondong: Project Pearls shares Blessings to Pasa Love

The distribution of the school supplies to the children of Pantal, Dagupan City on June 12, 2010 was successful. These school supplies were given by the Project Pearls through the headship of Mrs. Melissa Villa-Willcox and her daughter Francesca. The Project Pearls’ primary goal is to help underprivileged children in the Philippines to have a better life by giving them PEACE, EDUCATION, ASPIRATION, RESPECT, LOVE, SMILE.

Angel Nikka Ilumin: The STORY behind the STORY

As we go on in reaching our community, God gave us a right tool to expand our capabilities in reaching our community that is blogging. Blogging help us to spread the good news and His words. Because of Ptr. Ysae’s article “Efren not Eddie will change this nation“, Pasa love met Project Pearls ; Pasa Love met Servolution. Project Pearls has also the desire and passion to help the community especially the underprivileged children.

Angel Orville Barba: The Girl Who Drew My Face in an Old Magazine’s Cover

The sun was up and I needed to step inside the office to make sure that the name tags, budget, and other necessary things to bring was visible in my sight. I felt an exceptional feeling that day due to the fact that we will be partnering with Project Pearls in distributing school supplies to the poor and needy children of Pantal area. In case you are not aware about Pantal, this is one of Dagupan City’s highly populated squatter areas. After a few minutes of waiting for the volunteers to come for the rocket to launch, I’ve already dressed myself with our uniform and looked at the faces of every member of the team to find someone to be featured on this article. And the quest for the perfect one lasted for an hour until I decided to talk to someone with a very colorful testimony. But before that, here’s the scenario of the successful operation.

And to all other PASA LOVE Angels, THANK YOU!

A MUST READ... Reblogging Jonathan Tamondong of Pasa Love

2010-06-21T21:05:00.000-07:00

Project PEARLS shares Blessings to Pasa Love

He is kuya Rodel, one of the most available persons every time we have our Pasa Love. He fetches us and brings us to the place of our Pasa Love activities. I salute you kuya Rodel.

These are the children we are teaching in barangay Pantal. We go to this place every Saturday to teach the children the Word of God. After teaching the children, we visit their parents and converse with them. As we spend time with them, they are beginning to open up their problems especially about their financial status. This is one of the reasons why they were not able to buy their children the needed school supplies for this school year.

It is indeed a blessing for them that there are people who have seen their needs and have helped them especially with their children’s needs in school.

As we are giving them their blessings from the Project Pearls, I saw in their faces that they indeed have experienced the…

Peace in mind that they do not have to worry about their school materials

Education that they deserve no matter what their situation may be.

Aspiration to do their best in school as they continue to follow God’s Words.

Respect they again deserve regardless of their economic status.

Love they are shown that they might not have experienced before

Smile in their faces as they receive their blessings from God through the Project Pearls.

God bless Project Pearls… God bless Pasa Love

This little one is Dominic, one of the most active and playful students and he is always suffering from colds.

I am glad with him because God is changing his ‘not-so-good’ attitude into a better one. He is now intently listening to his teachers. Every time we go to their place, I can see his excitement to listen to the stories from the Bible. He is even one of the earliest pupils in our Bible Study. There was once an incident where Dominic accidentally fell from their stairs and as a result, a part of his face was wounded. I have observed after few days that his wound is not being healed. I asked his mother if what she is applying to Dominic’s wound. She said nothing in particular, just lukewarm water and that’s all. I went back to church to get an antibiotic given by my sister to lend to Dominic’s mother. They have used the antibiotic and the next few days, Dominic’s wound was healed.

Dominic is one of the underprivileged children in their barangay and it is with God’s grace and goodness that He used the Project Pearls to touch these children’s lives and their families. Thank you Project Pearls and may God Bless you as you Bless those people around you.

The Art of Sharing

2010-06-18T23:31:00.000-07:00

DEBRA JONSSON. I can't thank her enough! She used to be my boss 15 years ago and since then she remains to be my mentor and my friend. Debra has been an inspiration for me as she is smart, tough, funny and a genuinely kind soul.

I told her about Project PEARLS and its "What can $3 do" School Supplies Program, not only she gives her support to our program, she also gives her heart and her "Art of Sharing" !

Thank you, thank you, thank you Deb for your generous donation of your Coyote Greeting cards that we will be using for our fundraising event.

I love you. Always. And forever.

Please check Coyote Greetings to learn more about our friend, Deb and her beautiful and inspiration cards she created "to inspire the human spirit with the power of a simple thought, an image, and a simple quote, which extends the imagination of our human purpose."

Empire in the Air Tote Bags

2010-06-16T21:57:00.000-07:00

Francesca is selling these eco-friendly tote bags for only $5 each and she's donating 100% of the sales proceeds to the kids of Project PEARLS. Thank you Francesca!!! And Patrick aka Pmac :) for showing off the bag and for always supporting Empire in the Air and Project PEARLS.

Their Prayers are Answered

2010-06-15T22:44:00.000-07:00

These are the kids from Dagupan, Pangasinan who received the school supplies from Project PEARLS and were distributed by our PASA LOVE family.

Thank you Israel, Jonathan, Nikka, Orville and to the rest of PASA LOVE family!

And Francesca said...

2010-06-10T01:20:00.000-07:00

" Do you know how rare it is for anyone to say that their mom is contributing in bettering the world?"

And I said:

Do you know how rare it is for anyone to say that their daughter is contributing in bettering the world with one shirt at a time?

Francesca launched "Empire in the Air" clothing line and donated 20% of her sales proceeds from the very first shirt she introduced. And that 20% bought 100 sets of school supplies we distributed!

Like mother, like daughter? Who could argue? :) I am so proud of my one and only!

From San Francisco to Caloocan with Love!!!

2010-06-08T17:58:00.000-07:00

Geraldine Veras, good friend of Francesca, is currently vacationing with her family in the Philippines. She and her family went to all the trouble to go to Caloocan to meet and treat the children. Geraldine brought school supplies she collected from her school, friends and family in San Francisco. And her parents bought ice cream and candies for the kids!!!

Thank you Geraldine and family!!!

Geraldine is the Artistic Director for Pilipino Cultural Night (PCN) at Skyline College, Daly City. PCN is a non-profit organization where students make an original play representing Filipino history and how the past generation affects the generation of today.

Mga Batang Caloocan

2010-06-06T16:01:00.000-07:00

Caloocan City is where I was born, raised and lived for the first 23 years of my life. My remaining family members in the Philippines are still living in Caloocan. Two family generations lived in the same house - so I am talking about of our ancestral house that is almost 100 years old!

In general, when you mention Caloocan, what immediately comes to people's minds is that Caloocan is poor and dangerous. Well, danger can be anywhere but I agree with Caloocan being poor and among the poorest city in Metro Manila. So when you are a native of Caloocan or you are a "Batang Caloocan", the impression is that you belong to a poor family, you're tough, and that survival of the fittest is your game, your existence.

Why am I talking about Caloocan? Because even though I am now living in San Francisco Bay Area, my heart is still "Batang Caloocan". And the very reason why Project PEARLS was born is because of the many "Batang Caloocan" who I want to help.

With the leadership, hard work and dedication of my brother, Nonoy together with our dedicated volunteers, Mon, Joyce and Emy, they distributed school supplies to the several underprivileged "Batang Caloocan" last week.

To see how our School Supplies Program in Caloocan came together is very meaningful, touching and personal to me...

Nonoy was mobbed as he was distributing gift certificates for free school supplies

Our volunteers...

Joyce getting the school supplies ready...

Mon, Joyce & Nonoy... THANK YOU GUYS!!!

School Supplies Distribution in Bulacan

2010-05-31T00:54:00.000-07:00

Thank you Cathy and family for making our Bulacan School Supplies a huge success!

Since we have limited supplies, we gave out gift certificates for free school supplies and they redeemed their supplies by presenting the gift certificate; we also gave them the option of registering their children for future Project PEARLS programs.

Our great volunteers who put so much time, energy and love to this school supplies program.

Some early birds got Empire in the Air bags courtesy of Francesca :)

The Thank Yous :)

My deepest gratitude to Cathy who's been working diligently behind the scenes!

Ask and You Shall Receive

2010-05-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

I should have known better... We started Project PEARLS during Christmas season of 2008. We have been "quietly" trying to make a difference by helping less fortunate children in the Philippines and setting aside funds to finance small projects.

With the overwhelming responses and support we are getting for our $3 School Supplies Project, I should have known sooner to "ask and you shall receive".

But what is really overwhelming and humbling for me is not just the support we have been receiving but knowing that there are people out there who want to make a difference too but just don't know where and how to begin.

So on behalf of these children, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart!!

What $3 Can Do?

2010-05-19T23:34:00.000-07:00

The wish list of each grade school student consists of 10 notebooks, 5 pencils, sharpener, erasers, box of crayons, and a ruler.

Because of our limited funds, Project PEARLS was only able to put together 200 sets of only 5 notebooks, 3 pencils and a sharpener.

I never ask money for any personal reasons... but now I won't be embarrassed to ask all of you to donate $3 for a very personal reason... helping these underprivileged children is very personal to me.

Your $3 donation can buy 5 more notebooks, 2 more pencils, erasers, a box of crayons, and a ruler.

Thank you in advance for your help! $3 and/or a prayer for our children make a huge difference in their poor lives.

To send your kind donation, please click the Donate button located on the top right of our website... To send in a check and for mailing address, please send me an email at melissa@melissavilla.com.

What $3 can do?

What Faith Can Do?

Reblogging Geraldine Vera: Empty Suitcase Project

2010-05-19T21:43:00.000-07:00

Geraldine has been helping in spreading the word about Project PEARLS; she's been working hard to provide school supplies to our underprivileged children in the Philippines... I couldn't thank her enough.

Her blog:

In T-minus seven days, I will be coming back to the Philippines for the first time in four years.

Excitement is an understatement.

I have grown and became more aware with the world around me within the four year gap. My ambition to change the world one step at a time has also grown. In Pure Imagination’s last core meeting today, I have realized through our ‘check outs’ that PCN has planted seeds in our hearts for us to grow and continue helping our community outside of Skyline.

Okay, what I’ve been gradually trying to say is that I’m not done with Project Pearls.

I want to ask you, reader, if you would help me do a last minute project before I leave?

*I will be carrying an empty suitcase with me for the next seven days. All I ask of you is to help me fill the empty suitcase with school supplies. My goal is to collect supplies for the 200 children back in Bulacan, Philippines. PCN has collected a fair amount of school supplies during our two shows but I know we are capable of giving a little bit more before the children’s school year begins.

The last day I will be collecting school supplies is next Tuesday night, May 25, 2010.

What you can give is limitless and no donation is too small. Please help me spread the word with this empty suitcase project and hunt me down.

Thank you for your time! Please help me spread the word!

-Geraldine Veras

Back-to-School Mission

2010-05-18T23:54:00.000-07:00

This Back-To-School Mission is made possible by Francesca and her Empire in the Air clothing line!!! Francesca donated a huge amount from the sales of her first Empire in the Air shirt. I couldn't be more proud of my girl! And also thank you to everyone who not only purchased a shirt but also wear it so proudly!

Our dedicated team in the Philippines are working hard for our Back-to-School Mission. They will be distributing school supplies to underprivileged children in Caloocan, Bulacan, Guimaras and Dagupan, Pangasinan..

I couldn't make anything happen without my Project PEARLS Team in Manila... Thank you to Nonoy, Raymund, Cathy, Zandro, Rose, Daisy, Emy, Grace!!!! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!!

Thank You Gretchie :)

2010-05-18T21:40:00.000-07:00

Our big thanks to Francesca's friend, Gretchen Vallero for thinking about our Project PEARLS children... Her cousin and family were moving and she asked for their old children's books! Thanks Gretchie!

Kindred Spirits

2010-05-16T22:53:00.000-07:00

Pasa Love's Israel Tarlit and friends and volunteers are my kindred spirits! These great people, without any political motives, cleaned-up their local school that was used for the past election in the Philippines. They did because in their hearts, that's the right thing to do... please check their story here.

Excerpt from their story:
PASA LOVE is a ministry of our church, Full Life Baptist Fellowship, that does random acts of kindness in our community because we believe that our church should be involved. We’re not supposed to be a bunch of people who simply gathers on Sundays and hear from God and then go out on our own way. What we desire is to have the presence of God in the community. That won’t happen by preaching all over the streets. We believe that the best way to have the presence of God in our community is to do acts of kindness. There is something about kindness that reflects the very nature of God. I’ve long given up on preaching to reach a lost world (but i still use it because it has a purpose), but i believe that the best way to reach this world is through kindness and service.

A very special birthday...

2010-05-10T14:04:00.000-07:00

I only have two birthday wishes: one, for better health (less migraines!) and two, for blessings that I can share to our Project PEARLS kids... I got my second wish come true. I was able to send some of our kids and volunteers to a swimming field trip last week. Please note that most of these kids have never been to a resort so they're very happy and excited! This made my birthday this year extra ordinary!!! And thank you for my birthday cake :) !!!

we were webcam chatting that morning of their field trip! so cool to see and talk to the kids!

Pasa LOVE Stories

2010-05-06T06:20:00.000-07:00

One of the best things about blogging is that you are not only informing and updating your family and friends about your stories, but you are also reaching to other bloggers, readers, strangers... and I can say I am so blessed and very humbled to be "found" by Israel Tarlit, a pastor in the Philippines. Israel has this ministry called "Pasa Love" and I am very impressed with their act of kindness project and its impact to the people they helped and met along the way...

With the help and dedication of our volunteers, Israel and I will collaborate so that we can help more people in need and together, somehow we can make a difference in the lives of underprivileged children and families in the Philippines. Welcome Israel and friends to Project Pearls and to our lives...

Here is his story:

I believe that Christians are saved to serve God. However the term “serving God” has been misconstrued to be “serving inside the church.” And by that it means doing anything inside the church for the church. Not that it is bad, but serving God is about a lifestyle reaching to people however, whenever, and whatever. It’s not limited by location or position but it so much more on being obedient to God in our everyday lives.

The most common excuse why we don’t do acts of service or kindness is because it can be expensive. We tend to believe that to do service or kindness would mean some money. Quite true, but misleading. Acts of service and kindness will not always involve money, but it sure helps a lot if we have lots of it.

So we decided not to have the church any excuse of not engaging themselves in acts of kindness. We decided to give members who would involve in the kindness project P100.00. They will use this to do acts of kindness to people. They are not allowed to use it for themselves or their family. It should be done towards other people. Members can combine their money and to do greater things. They can reach anyone God is convicting them to help out.

Last February 14, 2010, we release P3,400.00 for 34 members who decided to join this project. The following are our stories.

We have adopted PASA LOVE (SHARE LOVE) as our official term for our kindness project. This is not an event that we will have, but it is integral to every ministry we have. It will be our lifestyle.

We’re going to take part in our BANGUS FESTIVAL this coming May. We’re giving to give away free cold drinks (palamig) to people attending this great festival. If you want to help us out, please do. We’ll let you know how you can help out.

Glory to God!

To learn more about Israel and his ministry, please visit their blog at http://www.psycheasy.com...

this made my day...

2010-04-27T21:55:00.000-07:00

this truly touches my heart deeply... i feel very blessed and humbled to be an instrument in making "two worlds" connect...

geraldine veras of PCN, Skyline College wrote this on her blog:

"I do this for the 200 children in the Philippines: the underprivileged children have been sending videos and pictures to show their gratitude and appreciation for having people in another country to think and care about them."

thank you again geraldine!!!

A personal message from Luz..

2010-04-24T18:04:00.000-07:00

Geraldine Veras is Our Hero...

2010-04-24T16:58:00.000-07:00

Geraldine Veras is the Artistic Director for this year's Pilipino Cultural Night (PCN) at Skyline College. She thought of Project PEARLS (thanks to Francesca) to be the beneficiary of the donated school supplies that they would hope to collect at their shows on April 29th and May 1.

PCN is a non-profit organization where the students make an original play representing Filipino history and how the past affects the generations today.

On behalf of the many underprivileged school children in the Philippines who would greatly benefit from your thoughtfulness and kindness, THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH! We are all deeply touched and grateful!

Just few of the school children from Tiaong Elementary School in Bulacan who will get the school supplies.

Please if you attend these shows, do not forget to bring school supplies :) ! And if you can't, you can still donate to Project PEARLS by contacting Melissa at melissa@projectpearls.org.

Shout Out of Gratitude to Francesca Mateo

2010-04-13T16:15:00.000-07:00

Our Project PEARLS children would like to thank FRANCESCA MATEO for her generous donation towards the children's school supplies for this coming school year in the Philippines. Thank you also to everyone who supports Francesca and her Empire in the Air. The support she gets in every part of the country and even outside U.S . is overwhelming. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Great News!!!

2010-04-04T19:37:00.000-07:00

Pilipino Cultural Night (PCN) at Skyline College in Daly City has chosen Project Pearls to be the recipient of it's 6th PCN night. PCN is a non-profit organization where the students make an original play representing Filipino history and how the past affects the generations today.

Get your tickets to these shows and bring in school supplies and art supplies!

Our deepest gratitude to Geraldine Veras, the Artistic Director of PCN for this great blessing!!!

Tiaong Elementary School is one of the schools that would benefit from these benefit shows of PCN Skyline College.

And here are just few of the Tiaong Elementary School children; they are thanking PCN Skyline College in advance for the school supplies they would be receiving!!!

Thank you again Geraldine and to the entire officers of PCN Skyline College!

Happy Easter!!!

2010-04-03T20:36:00.000-07:00

Our Project Pearls Team in Philippines distributed Easter Eggs in a children's ward in a public hospital and to children living in slums. Special thanks to my brother, Nonoy, who's been working very hard to make this happen! And also thank you to Ciae, Kelly, Siege and Cheeney for helping out!!!

most of these kids, if not all, never have candy-filled easter eggs in their lives!

Show us how you rock your Empire in the Air shirt!

2010-03-22T14:38:00.000-07:00

We wanna see how you rock your Empire in the Air shirt! Submit any picture of yourself and/or friends wearing the shirt.

Click here to submit your pictures!

Our Project PEARLS children would like to see who loves and supports them too!!!

Empire in the Air

2010-02-09T22:28:00.000-08:00

Francesca is starting her "Empire in the Air" clothing line and she just launched her first shirt that she designed. She is donating 20% of the proceeds to Project Pearls!

For only $20, not only you are supporting her dreams of making the world a better place for everyone but you are also supporting Project Pearls!

The number of the first "Empire in the Air" shirts is very limited. So please get yours now! Shirts will be delivered by March 5-7.

Thank you in advance.

Below are Francesca's promotion flyers that she also created!

Holiday Season Message

2010-01-01T12:18:00.000-08:00

Last Christmas, Project PEARLS was able to feed and provide Christmas gifts to more than 200 less fortunate children in the Philippines. Thank you to our family, friends, strangers who helped and supported us this holiday season!

We started and founded PROJECT PEARLS in summer 2008. Our humble mission then was just to help and support two sisters (Luz and Desiree) with their educational needs. Luz and Desiree, together with their mother, Tina who is deaf and mute are currently living in the slums way below poverty level. We believe that education is a key to their brighter and better future.

Because we are blessed with supportive family and friends and a job in this gloomy economy, we are able to provide help to more children this year. We have several projects lined up for 2010 that will help improve the lives of the less fortunate children in the Philippines.

Hopefully, you can join and support our simple mission to help and our future fundraising efforts.

Wishing you and your loved ones a happy new year!

Christmas at Bulacan

2009-12-27T00:31:00.000-08:00

These are the children in Bulacan that Project Pearls also gave Christmas gifts to... thanks Cathy for all your love and support!

Christmas at Caloocan

2009-12-24T23:55:00.000-08:00

another project pearls’ christmas project: giving out candies, chocolates and spaghetti to the less fortunate in our neighborhood… thanks again to our project pearls team in philippines: my brother who worked so hard together with his bff, mon, cathy, emy, lianne (fuji’s daughter) and ninang…

This Makes Our Christmas Very Special

2009-12-24T08:38:00.000-08:00

We are so blessed that we were able to give some treats to these children at a public hospital in the Philippines. These kids' health condition breaks my heart! Thanks to our PROJECT PEARLS TEAM in Manila, Nonoy, Cathy and Mon, who made this happened; and thank you also to the leaders and volunteers of Dynamic Teen Company who we partnered in this hospital visit.

Thank you also to my husband, Clif for his unconditional support for my philanthropy, to my daughter, Francesca for all her help and for donating her collection of beanie babies to these children; to family, friends, strangers who have been supporting our cause.

We would like to give extra help to these two kids below... pictures may be disturbing :(

Project Pearls Team with Dynamic Teen Company

We hope this is just the beginning of our efforts to help the less fortunate children in the Philippines. Thank you all!

Sharing Blessings on Christmas Day

2009-12-04T22:38:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Day, we will be distributing bags of chocolates, candies and small toys to the poor kids in our neighborhood in Caloocan; and we will also have a spaghetti feed for these children and families.

Our goal is to treat and feed as many children and families as possible and to give out 100 bags to the neighborhood, young and old, poor and poorer.

We are still in need of financial help so we can help more kids have a "Merry Christmas". If you're interested to donate or volunteer your time, please send us an email at mailto:melissa@melissavilla.com

Efren Peñaflorida has been named the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year

2009-11-21T23:44:00.000-08:00

My friend, my hero, who started a “pushcart classroom” in the Philippines to bring education to poor children as an alternative to gang membership, has been named the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year.

I am so elated and very, very proud of him and his officers and volunteers at Dynamic Teen Company! He’s truly such an inspiration! I love him and his spirit, dedication, perseverance and FAITH!!!

Read the story here...

my friends, my heroes

2009-11-17T07:58:00.000-08:00

I am more than thrilled, honored and blessed that Efren Peñaflorida and Emanuel Bagual will be joining our family and friends on Christmas Day distributing our care packages for the sick children in Philippine General Hospital. We are still in need of financial help so we could help these sick children and families with their medicines and other medical costs.

I partnered with Efren and Emanuel of Dynamic Teen Company because they are not affiliated with any government agency or politician, or any religion; they just simply want to make a difference in children's lives.

Efren Peñaflorida gives Filipino youth an alternative to gang membership through education. His Dynamic Teen Company's 10,000 members have taught basic reading and writing to 1,500 kids living in the slums. And Emanuel (16 years) f helps to educate children who have limited or no access to schooling. He has converted a large pushcart into a mobile school, which he and his friends of the ‘Dynamic Teen Company’ use to bring educational materials to children in their own neighborhoods.

Please don't forget to watch "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute," airing from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood at 9 ET/PT on Thanksgiving night, November 26. If you haven't voted yet, please do so!

care packages

2009-11-14T08:56:00.000-08:00

We just shipped out these care packages to the Philippines that would go to the "My Right to Life" very ill children who were displaced by the recent deadly typhoons … Our family and friends will be distributing these care packages to the children and families at the pediatrics ward of Philippine General Hospital this coming Christmas Day.

Thanks to chi for her generous and heart-felt donations of her beanie babies collection; each package has a beanie baby toy … and of course to my loving, kind and generous husband, who has been very supportive of my mission and philanthropic projects.

Hopefully, we can raise enough funds to help their families financially so that they can buy the necessary medicines and medical supplies.

My Right to Life

2009-11-12T07:40:00.000-08:00

Our partner in the Philippines, Dynamic Teen Company (DTC) has a new project called "Mind Your Rights". Mind Your RIGHTS is an advocacy to make children aware of their rights: rights for an education, healthcare, and simply a right to live.

My Right to Life, a project under Mind Your Rights, is helping children and families who were displaced by the recent typhoons. They are now living in public/government hospitals. They have very limited or no sources of income and they are critically and badly needing help in order to survive. Not only they need financial support, but they and their families and caregivers also need emotional, educational, spiritual and social support.

Project Pearls is gearing its support and fundraising efforts to help My Right to Life project; we would like to somehow relieve these children and families with their emotional and physical distress. Project Pearls goal is to give out care packages as Christmas gifts to these children and their families that would be distributed on Christmas Day itself.

Please help us in helpinbg these children and their families who are very down with their luck and lives. We welcome any support from you!

Learn more about Dynamic Teen Company and its mission.

Caution: Pictures may be disturbing :(

Shown in dark blue shirt is our friend and partner, Emanuel Bagual, in one of his hospital visits.

Emanuel Bagual is also nominated at the INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S PEACE PRIZE 2009!

The International Children's Peace Prize is presented annually to a child, whose courageous or otherwise remarkable acts have made a difference in countering problems, which affect children around the world. This year, the International Children's Peace Prize will be celebrated on December 3rd.

Halloween Candies

2009-10-31T12:34:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween to all! For all who wants to donate any of their halloween candies, please let us know. We are gearing up for our Christmas project for our Project Pearls kids. We will be providing holiday goodie bags for each kid this coming Christmas.

Thank you in advance!

Vote for Efren Penaflorida! Our Hero!

2009-10-11T22:24:00.001-07:00

Dynamic Teen Company (DTC) Update

2009-08-31T21:53:00.000-07:00

Finally, our two boxes of donations arrived to DTC and it was perfect timing as they're doing a fun-fair the following day. We sent a huge box of children's videos, mostly Disney movies, toys, books, candies, school supplies... They were able to use the toys and candies, chocolates we sent as prizes! The fun fair is called "My Rights Fun-Fair" - it highlights basic rights of the children: education, play, expression, adequate food, life, freedom from abuse, health care... it was held on August 29th in Cavite, Philippines and about 350 kids attended the event.

Below are some pictures from the fair:

The kids have watched some videos too and their most favorite is Homeward Bound :)

Thank you to all our family, friends, even strangers who helped, donated and supported us!

Kids' Movie, Popcorn, Goodie Bags & Cathy!!!

2009-07-20T23:52:00.000-07:00

Cathy, my biggest Project Pearls supporter and dedicated coordinator sponsored a movie day with more than 30 kids; she even provided popcorn, drinks and a goodie bag with school supplies, snacks, toothpaste and toothbrush... the kids were so happy and very grateful!

THANK YOU CATHY!!! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!

Thank You Leanne!

2009-07-20T23:45:00.001-07:00

My niece Leanne brought me a lot of barbie dolls and used clothes that she wants to donate to our humble cause! I am so proud of her as she really took her time to find, sort, prepare and bring them from l.a. to san francisco! I love you Leanne! Our recipients will surely use and love your donations! Keep them coming :) !

Pictures Worth a Thousand Words

2009-07-20T23:04:00.000-07:00

These pictures were taken at Dynamic Teen Company's (DTC) Nutrition Month & A(H1N1) Campaign. The young boy in blue shirt who was attending to other young kids is Chris Kesz. Efren Penaflorida and volunteers found Chris, a street kid, very ill. Chris used to sleep in a cemetery at nights. According to Efren, "That kid had been through a lot. He was violently abused and was burned. Now he stays with KB! and is supported by Club 8586* with everything."

Now he is a dedicated volunteer helping others. It is truly inspiring! Touched my heart deeply... I hope to meet Chris on my next visit to Philippines.

*Club 8586, Inc. (formerly known as Bible Study Boys and Girls Group — BSBGG) is a Christian people development organization continuously existing as a non-profit, non-sectarian, non-denominational organization. Founded in 1985 and established in 1986, CLUB 8586 is now operational across the region — Cavite Province, Metro Manila Cities and Municipalities pursuing the Club’s banner — “Reaching Families, Campuses and Communities”.

Dynamic Teen Company

2009-07-18T14:40:00.000-07:00

Finally, we were able to send off the two boxes to Efren Penaflorida of Dynamic Teen Company today. Thank you to all our donors - family, friends, even strangers who donated children's books, school supplies, children's vhs/dvd movies, boxes of toothpaste, toothbrushes, matchbox toys.

Hopefully, our humble effort and donations could somehow help Efren and Dynamic Teen Company.

Thanks Efren and to all your volunteers for making Filipino proud! You are all an inspiration!

"

Roshel and Angel in their new school uniforms

2009-06-02T18:42:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Cathy, our dedicated coordinator in the Philippines, she helped Roshel and Angel in getting them school supplies and uniform. These girls are very thankful and excited about being in school... Thanks Cathy!

thank you chris roesch!

2009-05-31T17:32:00.000-07:00

thank you my dearest friend, chris for your donation to our humble cause! thank you for a bagful of toy cars, barbie, etc...

thank you to angela and alyana

2009-05-03T19:08:00.000-07:00

Thanks to mother and daughter, Angela and Alayna for donationg kids' movie on dvds, notebooks, pens, pencils, books, erasers... we truly, truly appreciate your donation, kindness and generosity! THANK YOU!

Luz

2009-04-27T22:59:00.000-07:00

Here are a few recent pictures of Luz and her mother, Tina and aunt, Fe. My brother in the Philippines regularly checks them and gives them groceries and few pesos to help them with their daily basic needs... What inspires us is that Luz always makes a point to bring copies of her exams :) ... and she's doing great at school!

"Barbie & Matchbox/Hot Wheels" Drive

2009-04-05T23:36:00.000-07:00

We would like to give our Project Pearls girls the opportunity to own their very first barbie doll and the boys to own their first matchbox cars. These kids never owned a barbie doll or a matchbox car or held one!

We believe that owning a barbie or a matchbox will make them feel very special and will also give them a sense of responsibility of taking care of something special they own.

So please help us with our Barbie and Matchbox Drive. We are accepting used and new! Thank you in advance.

Our first hot wheels donation from Miles Miller of San Francisco... Thank you Miles!

Thanks to our first "Book Drive & More" Donors

2009-04-05T23:09:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, we have received several books and vhs children's movies donations. We are very grateful and excited. One of our projects is to have a movie day for the kids and show at least a couple of children's movies and provide popcorn and drinks.

Thank you Chef Frank for the set of encyclopedias, world atlas, dictionaries

Thank you Liz of Redwood City, Tina of Daly City, Miriam of Santa Clara, Heidi of Santa Rosa for all the videos!

Francesca's personal book collection donation :)

Book Drive & More...

2009-03-30T21:09:00.001-07:00

We have been soliciting for children's books, encyclopedias, children's videos like Disney movies, educational and learning videos. So far, we have few pledges and we are already very excited and grateful. Our goal is to send as much as we can by end of April to Dynamic Teen Company.

If you are interested in donating to our cause, please email me at: melissa@melissavilla.com Please check our wish list too! Thank you!

Please check out this video: Dynamic Teen Company in action...

Extending Our Mission

2009-03-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

Below are kids and youth volunteers in the Dynamic Teen Company Program (DTC):

We would like to extend our mission and help Efren and his (God bless them) volunteers. Together with Project Pearls, we would like to raise enough funds so we could support and buy various school supplies for the kids of Dynamic Teen Company.

Part of our fundraising efforts is to send them first aid supplies and basic toiletries too for their Hygiene & Medical Mission:

First Project & Success

2009-03-27T21:36:00.000-07:00

During the 2008 holiday season, we launched our first project. We called it "Project Pearls Bracelets". We made several bracelets using pearls and other gems and sold them to family and friends for $10 each. We,had a huge success with our first project! We were able to raise almost $700! Because of that, we were able to send 3 boxes of food, school supplies, clothes, shoes and toys - and not only to Tina, her daughters and family but also to our farm caretakers. We also gave them some cash to help them with their daily basic needs. They were all very happy, excited and very grateful. Their smiles, laughter, joy and contentment are just PRICELESS!

Above are Luz' test papers :)

Tina and family enjoying a nice meal.

With some of their groceries. Luz loves the apples!

Our Mission

2009-03-27T21:28:00.000-07:00

Our humble mission is to help these kids and my friend, Tina. My daughter, Francesca and my niece, Pam, met them last summer and they were touched by their story and their passion for school and getting an education. They pledged to help them as much as they can. We called our humble mission, PROJECT PEARLS. PEARLS stands for Peace, Education, Aspiration, Respect, Love, Smile - these are the intangible things that we would love for them to have... these are simple words and yet with profound meaning. Francesca, Pam, myself and their cousins are making bracelets out of cultured freshwater pearls that we will be selling to family and friends. All proceeds will go to fund Desiree and Luz' educational needs. And if we are successful enough, we would also like to support the educational needs of our farm caretaker's 8 young children!