Exponential growth!
Your support has opened the door for Badjao children to attend college, to graduate, and to become career professionals.
Jackie is a hard-working student with straight A’s and a big heart for her community. She is inspired to pursue her dreams because her brother, John Ernest, worked hard and is reaching his goals. John Ernest is becoming an Engineer, made possible by donor support.
With her brother’s success as inspiration, Jackie is training as a medical technician and is working towards becoming a Medical Technologist. Someday, she hopes to become a doctor.
We are so proud of you, Jackie!
To make a transformational impact for Jackie and her Badjao tribe, you can support Jackie’s education. For $15,000 we can send her through Medical Technologist school and launch her dream career. Thank you!
Incredible things are happening. We thank you.
Sunshine
Sunshine is one of the best scholars at BBPI Middle School. She has carried high honors since elementary school and into the 8th grade.
Sunshine is the second oldest in a family with four children. Her father is a fisherman and sometimes works as a habal-habal (motorcycle) driver. Sunshine’s father is also one of the pastors in the Badjao community. Her mother is a housemaid and returns home every Saturday and Sunday.
Sunshine helps her big sister in school with assignments and projects. Her big sister has difficulty reading so Sunshine teaches her how to read and also encourages her to attend the BBPI tutorial sessions. Sunshine stands as a big sister in her family. She works hard in school and looks out for her family, doing the laundry, cooking, and housekeeping.
We are so proud of you, Sunshine! Keep shining brightly for yourself, your family, and your community!
See what we’re Celebrating!
Celebrating Sheilla Mea!
Badjao Families Welcome California Families
Badjao Bridge recently learned of two children that were facing daily abuse. They had no means of help or escape. With the support of Louella’s Fund, Badjao Bridge was able to quickly build them their own home; a safe place to live.
Miraculously, Louella’s Fund had just received a donation of $1,500. Louella’s Fund was established to stop preventable victimization or death for Badjao children. With these funds, Badjao Bridge and the Badjao Tribe built a new hut for the children to live. Smiles are difficult, but the children love their new home and are grateful for a fresh start.
BADJAO BRIDGE IMPACT
Charity Navigator generally gives the highest rankings to organizations whose ratio of program expenses is 85% or more of their total expenses. This is a hard target to reach since administration, fundraising, and operations are expensive.
Astonishingly, Badjao Bridge operates with just 5% overhead. Lead staff are funded separately, which means that 95% of every dollar directly supports people in the Badjao Tribe.
Your donation provides education, nutrition, new land trusts, classrooms, travel to Badjao sites, and health care for children and families.
Rarely can a nonprofit dedicate 95% of their funds to such tangible impact for children and families. Thank you for making this possible!
YOU ARE PART OF THIS LIFE-CHANGING WORK
Just this year, students in poverty are graduating college, new classrooms are being built, land is being purchased, water and sanitation infrastructure are under construction, and lives are being saved. Badjao Bridge is proud of the work we do. And you make this life-changing work possible!
Thank you for making children's dreams of a healthy life for themselves and their tribe a reality.
Consider a gift to the Staff Support Fund so that 95% of funding continues to support Badjao children and families.
Giving to Louella's Fund helps Badjao children to escape a crisis, giving them a secure chance at life.
Thank you!
What is the most transformative gift we can physically build for a community on the brink of survival? Yes! Educational access is the most powerful way to grow a bright future. Education equips current and future generations with the ability to grow and to thrive. Just notice for a moment how pivotal education has been for you and for those you love.
As a result of your prayers and support, Badjao Bridge now operates 2 Lighthouse Education Centers and has built a brand new classroom to provide a safe learning space for Kindergarteners who had been attending school outside. And that's not all!
Thanks to a special anonymous donation, Badjao Bridge is now building 2 more classrooms! These classrooms will provide impactful schooling for approximately 60 First and Second Grade Badjao children who have been denied indoor learning space in their local schools.
Currently these dedicated students are in outdoor classrooms that are lined up back to back with no separation. The children have to tune out a class a few feet behind them. During thunderstorms, which happen almost every day, 1/3 of their space gets wet and the rain on the tin roof drowns out the lesson. On a hot sunny day, the space is unbearably hot. These challenges, along with tummies that never seem satisfied, make it really difficult to learn.
We are so thankful for the opportunity to increase our indoor classrooms to 3! Kindergarten, First and Second Grade Badjao children will now have a safe, calm place to explore, grow, and to learn. These new classrooms will help build up individual lives and the future of the community.
Our new Kindergarten classroom has its own bathroom and outdoor hand washing station. The kids are loving school!
These new indoor classrooms are a game changer. Best of all, the teachers and children love their new space. Education builds opportunity, wisdom, voice, and a bright future for the whole community. Thank you for being part of this lasting change.
Learn more about how your support is helping Badjao communities thrive in the face of adversity. Thank you!
A new classroom, a second Lighthouse Community Center and two game changing graduations. Your support is growing futures!
Carla is the first Badjao to graduate from Nursing School. She is already making a lasting difference in her community. We are so proud of her!
"This achievement is dedicated to all those who have been part of my journey to this point in time."
- Carla
Juvy was only around 9 years old when his father died from compressor diving. His mother had to make him stop his studies. He has three younger sisters and he is the only one interested in school. We included him in our scholarship program so he could continue his studies. He once dropped out. Discouraged, he just felt lazy or just thought he would just fail. But he decided to study again and is grateful that we accepted him back and he is finally graduating this year (senior high school) and will be heading towards college.
Now at 22, he also became one of our volunteers at the Lighthouse Learning Center helping in our tutorials, food packing and distribution, etc. He gets some monetary allowance which he would usually give all to his mother. He said, “Because of that, we are able to slowly repair our small house. I'm thankful. I’m also praying that I could proceed to college. I am very grateful to my sponsors who have been helping me since I became a Badjao Bridge scholar many years ago.”
We have officially turned-over our one-classroom building for our Badjao learners in a public school in Bohol. A number of local government officials, school heads, and stakeholders attended the event.
“This was just a dream before. Now it has become a reality,” said Alith Luzon, the school principal and our very own volunteer Badjao Bridge program director.
The completion of this building is in perfect timing since face-to-face classes will soon resume in the country as Covid cases continue to decline. It's also amazing that despite the strong typhoon in December that hit many parts of the country including this place, this building remained unscathed.
Indeed, I thank God for this and the people he sent along to help us complete this project. My highest respect to our teachers and parents who do their daily duties to guide and teach our children. Their sacrifices and love for them will bear fruit in time. May this classroom be where hundreds, or hopefully thousands of children begin or continue their journey of achieving their dreams.
Teacher Agustina C. Doloritos has been teaching Grade 1 Badjao pupils for 10 years now. She's been grateful to the Badjao Bridge for its support. "Indeed, together we can make a difference in their lives."
Badjao children have been through a lot in the past 18 months, but we have some good news to share. We have two honor students - Sunshine, Grade 6, and Jackie, junior high school. Jackie has been our scholar since preschool; Sunshine, since Grade 1. Both of them are inspired by their families. They want to be able to help them out of poverty one day.
Like many others, they both struggled last year. Due to health protocols, they were not allowed to go to school but have only been receiving home assignments. It was hard to get the assistance they needed from their teachers and accessing their lessons online were costly. Despite the difficulties, these two excelled in their classes. Jackie said her determination and positivity kept her focused. Sunshine studied hard regardless of the difficulties and kept going.
We have 156 Badjao scholars enrolled in elementary, high school, and college for the new school year.
We have also extended help to other Badjao learners even if they are not our scholars. They are struggling academically. The current distance learning make it even more difficult for them. We have welcomed them in our tutorials so they can keep up with their lessons. Like our Badjao scholars, we also give them rice everytime they show up for tutorial. We are thankful for the opportunity to help those in need.
ONE-CLASSROOM BUILDING
During pre-Covid days, some of our Badjao scholars in one public school used to attend their classes in an old stock room; others did theirs outdoor or at some vacant space inside the principal’s office. The school doesn’t have enough classrooms.
We are happy to build and donate a one-classroom building for our Badjao learners. Construction began last August and we aim to complete it sometime next month. Soon, when face-to-face classes resume, a standard classroom with its own restroom with flowing water would provide a more comfortable, conducive learning environment for the Badjao students. Thank you all for your support! Together, in the midst of pandemic, we will continue to make a difference.
Few weeks ago, the Badjao community that we are helping in Palawan was put under a two-week lockdown after two of them tested positive of Covid-19. The town itself has been implementing strict health protocols and was also in lockdown order due to its increasing number of Covid cases. Cross border travels were restricted to avoid more community transmission of the virus. Thank God the two Covid-positive Badjaos were asymptomatic and have already fully recovered and the lockdown order in the community was lifted. We continue to pray for their safety.
LIGHTHOUSE
In the midst of the pandemic and the uncertainties it brings, we are happy to see some progress in the Lighthouse, a multipurpose building that we have constructed there. Its second floor is a work in progress. This building serves the Badjao community in many ways especially at this time. On some days, the local government health officials use it as a Covid vaccination center for the Badjaos.
On other days, they use it for feeding, tutorials, and other educational activities for the Badjao children. On Sundays, the community gather there to worship.
WATER
Water supply has been a problem for the community. Thank you for helping us provide two water wells for them - one inside the Lighthouse and one outside for the community.
Currently there are close to 100 families living in this area in more or less 60 houses. Because of more fishing opportunities (less government restrictions) in this island, we are expecting more Badjao families from other provinces or islands to move here. Our Lighthouse and water facilities will be serving a bigger community.
More Help Appreciated
As the pandemic lingers on, the challenges we face have just doubled but we want to be able to continue helping the Badjaos through your support. To do this we need $1,500 a month. At 50 cents a meal, a $100 donation feeds 200 children a nutritious meal. If you're in a position to help, please donate and partner with us.
In behalf of the Badjaos, we thank you for standing by us all these years.
It has been more than a year since the pandemic began. We thank God that we have not heard of any child or parent from the Badjao communities that we are helping who got infected by the Covid-19 virus. Our staff and volunteers are all well, too. Your prayers and financial support mean a lot to them even more so at this difficult time.
Beg No More
One of our scholars, Maria, 11, struggles with her studies because her reading skill is low. Worse, learning from home is a challenge for many like her who can't study on her own. Our daily tutorials at the Lighthouse Learning Center help her learn and improve day by day. Now on 6th grade, she is thankful to our tutors "who are always willing and patient in teaching and encouraging slow readers like me."
We also provide a healthy meal for those who attend our tutorials and a pack of rice weekly for them to bring to their families.
Maria's father is a fisherman. When his catch is not sufficient for their daily needs, Maria and her older sister have to go to the streets and beg for money or food for the whole family.
Despite difficulties, Maria is very enthusiastic in her studies. She deserves an opportunity to study and ultimately one day get a good job and not beg for money anymore.
Covid-19 Relief Program Update
Since Covid-19 began last year up to today, we have distributed the following to the communities - more than 350 sacks of rice, more than 1,150 packs of dressed chicken, more than 700 packs of instant noodles, more than 700 cans of sardines, 170 bars of bath soap, more than 650 pieces of fruits, more than 150 kilos of vegetables, and 172 pairs of slippers. Your help in making this possible is much appreciated!
We have some really good news and a big need to help keep kids alive through Covid. Please take a minute to catch up on our work!
Child Sponsorship Program
After nearly eight long months that seemed like years, classes in public schools began last week. We have distributed radios, tablets and laptops for our scholars to use. Distance learning consists of modular, online, and radio-based instructions in collaboration with the local government and local Christian radio station. We pray that our scholars will be able to cope and thrive in this new way of learning.
College Sponsorship Program
Meet Selma, a terrific young gal who wants to become a businesswoman one day. She's from a remote Badjao community that we are helping and recently graduated from high school as an honor student. We are so proud of her!
Selma and her proud mother pictured here with a new laptop. A big thanks to a special group from Castro Valley that made this happen!
Selma is now enrolled in college (business administration major in human resources) - and yes, she’s our first college scholar in this area. She and her younger brother were single-handedly raised by their mother who used to solely depend on her income from selling pearls in a tourist destination 5 hours from their house. However, the pandemic has wiped out her meager income and she struggles to provide enough food and water for her children.
Covid-19 Relief Program
While we celebrate Selma's success, hundreds of children are currently in a state of malnutrition. If you're in a position to help, we have a big need right now in providing a continuous supply of healthy food to children. So far we have provided more than 6,000 meals. Until parents can go back to work, we aim to provide 40,000 meals between now and March 2021. To do this we need $3,000 a month in additional support. At .50 cents a meal, a $100 donation feeds 200 children a nutritious meal.
Donate here if you are able. Thank you!
The current pandemic makes it even more challenging for us to help our Badjao scholars in their studies, but we continue to adapt and find ways to help them get through some hurdles.
In less than a month from today, classes will begin. We have 119 scholars enrolled in kindergarten and elementary, 46 in high school, and 4 in college. Since traditional, face-to-face learning is still not allowed to protect the children from possible Covid-19 infection, they have to get used to the “new normal”, which is distance learning - modular, online classes, or through some designated radio and TV stations - a new concept and a hard option for many especially the poor communities.
We have coordinated with the local government for partnership with a local Christian radio station for a radio based instruction, which will be very helpful especially for the Badjao students who are just beginning to learn how to read and write. Most of their parents are not able to help and teach them.
We have bought 60 radio units for the kindergarten and first grade students - some of them are kids in the community who are not even in our scholarship program right now but we just feel the need to also help them at this very critical time. We also now have five Wifi gadgets where our scholars with smart phones can connect and learn online.
Meanwhile, we have stopped our feeding program at our center. We give the parents of our scholars 2kg of rice per week instead for them to cook at home.
Though it’s a difficult time for many of us right now, we continue to trust God to provide support. We have many other students in our program who need help. Jelly, 9, and Apple Jay, 16, are siblings. They are two of our most consistent honor students. Would you pray and consider sponsoring them? For $20 a month each, you can help these sisters continue their pursuit for education and a chance for a better future. Thank you. We value your partnership with us.
By this time of the year, our Badjao scholars would have been excited and busy as they go to their classes for the new school year. But because of the pandemic, classes nationwide have been put on hold to protect the children from possible Covid-19 infection. No vaccine, no face-to-face classes. However, the Philippines will go for alternative, distance learning - classes online, or through designated radio and TV stations, and other learning delivery mode this coming August.
While it is possible for some, it is obviously hard for others especially the poor communities that don’t have access to the Internet or don’t have the necessary gadgets like laptops or smart phones. This would definitely be even harder for the Badjaos. We are trying to figure out how to help our scholars the best we could in this situation. Meanwhile, online enrollment is on going and by the end of this month we will know how many Badjaos have enrolled.
On the other hand, we had 13 Badjao scholars who graduated the past school year. Though there was no traditional graduation ceremony that happened in April, we still congratulate our elementary graduates. We are also proud of our honor students. Sunshine, Grade 5, was awarded “With High Honors” plus a couple of other special awards. Celia, Grade 8, ranked 8th out of 32 in her class. She has leadership skills in school and even in church. There were a few others who got awards as well.
Your help and support have made it possible for them to have this opportunity to go to school, to excel, and to dream for a good future. In fact, we have many other Badjaos who are as interested to study and need our support. One is Angel, 11 years old, the eldest in the family. She can read and is very active in school. Like most Badjaos, fishing is their only source of income. Paying for her school needs is an additional burden for her parents who could not afford. Angel can only continue her studies with our help.
Carl, 7, is a very playful and enthusiastic kid. He can do some basic writing and reading, too. He has three other siblings. His father is currently recovering after being shot while fishing. His mother is our volunteer staff. He also needs our help.
Would you pray and consider sponsoring them? For just $20 a month you can send a child to school and change the course of their future. Thank you for doing this work together with us all these years.
This current pandemic indeed has pushed many of us on the edge and gave us a lot of uncertainties. We grieve for those who lost their loved ones on this fight and those who are currently suffering for it. We look forward to the day when this crisis is over.
As we think of our own safety, food, health, and other personal concerns, we also think of the Badjao kids and families in the communities we are helping in the Philippines where most, if not all, parts of the country are on lockdown. Social distancing is implemented. Any violator will be apprehended and fined.
This situation is making life even harder for those who are already economically suffering even before this time. The Badjaos are among those who are obviously badly affected.The local government is extending financial help to the poor but it’s taking a while for some to receive them and whatever relief goods they get will not be enough to get them through. With your support, we were happy to also help a bit. We have recently distributed two kilos of rice per household - maybe not much but highly appreciated by them as it helps them get through a couple of days or so. There are 160 houses in this community. Each house has one or two families.
We have also given our scholars alcohol and soap while local doctors and medical workers from the provincial hospital visited our center and taught our Badjao children proper hand washing and cleaning of ears. Together, we will get through this dark times. Praying for each one’s safety as we all face this battle.
