The Virlanie Foundation, Inc. is the largest private non-sectarian child caring institution in Metro Manila, Philippines. The foundation serves children found living in the streets as well as those referred by other institutions. Virlanie works to prevent the future physical and psychological abuse of children. It envisions empowered children see a brighter future for themselves. It cares for more than four hundred (400+) children in its twelve (12) homes and eight hundred (800) children through its outreach programs.
Virlanie was founded in 1992 by Dominique Lemay, in partnership with Filipinos. Since that time, Virlanie has looked after more than 11,000 children in Metro Manila. Virlanie bases its dozens of projects and support services on three main programs: residential, support, and outreach.
The Foundation is also registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is duly licensed and recognized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development of the Philippines (DSWD).
It is a member of the Association of Child Caring Agencies of the Philippines (ACCAP) and of the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC).
WHAT WE DO
Reaction and Reception Center (RAC)
Our children are referred to us through our outreach programs and 60% of them come from the RAC. The RAC is a temporary municipal shelter which welcomes people “rescued” from the streets in Manila. To complement the social services given by the city government of Manila, Virlanie established an outreach program in the RAC. Continuously present in the RAC through its volunteers, Virlanie provides medical attention to and organizes recreational activities with the children there.
Our Homes
Through 12 Homes and 12 programs, Virlanie accords street children, in the direst situations, the opportunity to become self-reliant, independent, productive citizens. Depending on their individual needs, children can be in a Virlanie Home for as little as a few months to many years.
It’s a home where the prevailing atmosphere is that of a family. Each Home has a father, mother and aunts who love and care for the children: nurturing and guiding them, fostering their development into responsible and self-reliant adults. They act just parents would: Virlanie truly is a big, happy family.
Depending on the ages, our Homes can be described as follows:
Our Programs
Apart from food, shelter and clothing, Virlanie provides children with opportunities to study, finds ways to re-unite them with their families (if the children have any and if the families are capable of caring for the children), and gives children psychological counseling and assistance with their legal cases.
Our programs are as follows:
Our Outreach Programs
While improving the lives of Filipino street children is Virlanie’s priority, the families and communities where the children come from, also need assistance. Hence, other Virlanie programs seek to educate and empower parents and communities to better care for their children.
Virlanie has 6 outreach programs:
