A season and reason for giving...

It is only a few days before Christmas and Armin and I would like to share with you a yearly tradition that we, ourselves, participate in.

A little background...

Seven years ago, Armin and I went to Bohol for a vacation. While waiting at the Cebu ferry terminal for our ride to the island, a lady approached us to chat. The funny thing is that her boyfriend, now husband, who was with her is also a German! But it gets better... we learned that they live just about 30 kilometers from our place in Germany.

So we end up spending our Bohol vacation, the four of us doing motorbike trips together and got to know each other more. Since that day, Isabel and Martin have been one of our closest friends.

Martin also mentioned to us that he visits the Philippines several times a year. This is because he founded an Aid-project, MariPhil Children's Village.

About MARIPHIL...

MARIPHIL is a non-profit organization with a goal to help street children, the majority of which have experienced neglect, maltreatment and some, possibly, sexual abuse from their own kin forcing them to flee to the streets.

By offering them a shelter with a loving environment, sufficient and healthy food, health care, people to give them the support and love, and so much more, their hope is that by doing this, these children will have the chance to have a brighter and better future.

The MARIPHIL Children's Village is located in Panabo, Davao on the island of Mindanao. Currently, there are more than 60 children in their care.

The Tradition...

Every year, Armin and I try to give back, as a way of counting our blessings, by participating in one of MARIPHIL's many projects.

We donate a sack (or two) of rice. We do not send the sack of rice all the way to Panabo, of course. We just send the equivalent in cash.

This project benefits not only the street children but also the poor people and community near and around the children's village.

Last year, they were able to collect and give out 88 tons of rice and was able to distribute them to 18,000 people from needy families.

So if you are interested to support their cause, just click the donate button below.

This is just one of the many ways to support MARIPHIL in helping street children. Martin and Isabel continuously think of innovative ways to make the children's village self-sufficient. Like having their own solar collectors, planting their own vegetables, breeding their own farm animals and fish.

But of course, there are a lot of other expenses. You can also donate for food, clothing, medical expenses, school materials, repairs and other stuff that are needed to run the organization.

They also actively look for people who would like to sponsor a kid the chance to attend school.

For more details and information, visit their website at https://kinderdorf.mariphil.com/en/