BWA is not a charity, but we support several worthy organisations in Manila and its surrounds.  Your assistance in one or more of the organisations below would be welcome with open arms.

• Little Sisters in Isla:

  A Livelihood Centre situated right in the middle of a squatter area.  These seriously poor people now have access to health care, education for their toddlers and a support group for mothers.  The workshop manufactures jeepneys, pedicabs from aluminium cans (not squashed), bags of all descriptions and wine holders.  On a regular basis unwanted clothing, electrical goods, books, toys, craft materials, aluminium cans, etc. are delivered, all of which are used within the centre or distributed within the community.  The BWA provides monthly financial support for the general running of the centre.

• Kanlungan:

  A safe  refuge for children of all ages who have been abandoned, physically or sexually abused or have been involved in drugs and prostitution. In 2009 we supplied the paint for their new premises in Malate.  Prior to every Christmas, the children enjoy a special Christmas party which is held at the Renaissance Hotel.  Unwanted clothes, shoes, craft items or books are delivered on a regular basis.  These are distributed not only to the children but also into the community.  Monthly the BWA provides financial support for the general running of the home.

• Concordia:

  An orphanage in Santa Mesa for children who have been surrendered for adoption.  Programmes for foster care and care of abandoned and abused street children are also provided. Monthly, the BWA provides milk powder and medicines as need be.  Unwanted baby clothes, etc. are delivered on a regular basis.

• Correctional Institute for Women :

  Every second Thursday, a small group of BWA members visit the ladies at the CIW.  Within the walls of the CIW is a workshop, infirmary, library and a school which now offers inmates an opportunity to learn computer skills along with a regular school with classes from prep to completion of high school. It is not uncommon to see mature ladies in the prep class – taking advantage of the education available to them for the first time in their lives. The workshop makes a huge variety of woven products – baskets, bags, animals, boxes of different shapes and sizes - all are woven from rolled up telephone books and magazines.  Clutch purses, key rings, coin purses, etc. are made from beads and the sewing ladies make throws, cushion covers, etc.  A delivery is made regularly to the CIW – telephone books, magazines, craft items, scraps of fabric of any size, plastic bags, etc.  – anything really!!! Twice per year we package up toiletries (you know the ones from the hotels, planes, etc., so when on holidays, don't forget to grab everything that is left in your hotel room) and deliver these to the ladies in the workshop, library and the teachers. It really is a special treat for them.

  
  
  
• Mother Theresa's in Delpan:

  A temporary shelter for sick, malnourished, neglected or abandoned children.  We visit the children every Wednesday morning – take merienda, which the children really enjoy.  There is a group singing segment (to see the interaction of the children is fantastic).  Children then play with blocks, puzzles, etc. and the older children love to colour in and learn numbers and the alphabet. BWA supplies some medicines, baby needs and special high protein milk for the malnourished children.  All old newspapers are delivered to Mother Teresa's. The photos below are from the Christmas party we provided in December 2009.

• Quezon Ladies:

  A  home for 7 ladies who are physically and to some degree, mentally handicapped.  Monthly, groceries, fresh food, basic medicines and toiletries are taken to the ladies.  Twice every year the ladies are taken for an outing to McDonalds which they thoroughly enjoy.

  
  

• Shalom Birthing Centre:

  A birthing centre for the poor, which was started approximately 15 years ago.  At that time there were around 20-30 deliveries monthly.  The numbers have now risen to over 160 per month!!!!!!!  A new Birthing Centre is now being built.  Mavis Orton MBE, the founder of Shalom, is hoping to have stage one completed by the end of 2009. In 2009, Shalom was the main beneficiary of the BWA ball.  Quarterly, the BWA gives funds for basic medicines. Click here for Shalom's own website.

• Shiprah:
  
  A birthing centre providing care for poor people.  There is also an orphanage attached to the centre.  Often when babies are found in a dumpster, the authorities bring the infant to Shiprah.  Expectant mothers take advantage of the pre natal and ante natal classes which are available at the centre.  The BWA provides milk powder for the babies on a monthly basis.
  
  
• Papaya Academy:

  Mango Tree House, Cashew Tree and Papaya Academy are run by Craig Burrows. Papaya Academy is a school for academically gifted children also near the Payatas dump site.

• Cashew Tree:

  A  pre – school for young children between 4 & 5 yrs old in an area of extreme poverty near the Payatas dump site. 250kg of rice is given every month for a feeding programme.

• Mango Tree House:

  A permanent home for approximately 30 teenage children who have been abandoned or abused. BWA provides assistance for emergencies as required. BWA visited Mango last year to lend a hand with painting. Click here for the whole story. And this year we just opened the BWA library, a library which will offer services not just to the schoolchildren but also the whole surrounding community.

  BWA members helping to paint Mango Tree school in 2009

  Opening the BWA library, March 6th 2010 - books generously donated by BWA members.

If you would like more information regarding any of these organisations, please contact Linda Boyd (0920-910-6751) or Jill Pyke (0915-875-5481).