“It inspired me to help out as a volunteer for my religion service project by collecting books and school supplies. I believe that every child should have the same opportunity to learn and become successful whatever their dreams are in the future. By collecting these books, the Filipino children can read and become more educated. We are all very fortunate to have education and care from our parents and we should not take it for granted.

My mother and I called everyone we knew who potentially had books to spare. She drove to their homes and I picked up the books and supplies; then I organized them by grades and age and delivered them to the Wild Orchid Foundation.

It made me happy to help out and we can all get involved by getting others to help volunteer by donating, corporate sponsorships at workplace, and drives to collect necessary materials. I am very content that I chose this project and I know it makes a difference to the children in the Philippines.”

In May, The Wild Orchid Los Angeles Team had the opportunity to participate in a fruitful project in Tijuana, Mexico. Invited by Lipstick Sister members: Iliana Soraya-Parra, Erica Lippy, Sandra Stone & Vanessa Overmeer who conceived of the project. With a dedicated team, including LS: Athene Farmas & Michelle Mekosch partnering with Corazon de Vida; we crossed to border to decorate and furnish the girls’ playroom in a Tijuana orphanage. We were all filled with joy to see how much the girls loved their new playroom which was a major improvement from its original drab color and dilapidated TV and torn couch. The endeavor offered these orphaned children a happy and bright space to spend many loving childhood moments of magic and wonder. The power of a dedicated and proactive community is breaking the cycle of poverty. We can always make a difference whether it is on the other side of the world or in our own “backyard” or “barangay.” Doing what we could was just as satisfying for us as it was for them to behold their new playroom to share many childhood memories.

In April, The Wild Orchid Team made their quarterly visit back to The Philippines. It was most productive. We visited schools to give them support via resources and enrichment in the classrooms. We strive to alleviate financial burden for our students, in order to attend school. Many of our students are having difficulty to pay for their bus transportation on a regular basis. Since there is no internet access in the areas we serve, students may have to print many of their works and are unable to pay for the printing or access a printer in order to meet their academic deadlines and assignment requirements. Our elementary students participated in a letter exchange with students from US classrooms to promote cultural awareness and connect between youths internationally.

We also visited the prisons to remind our incarcerated members of community of their significance and the value of their lives. We accompany them and motivate them with enrichment activities such as chess, an exercise for the mind and counsel them with affirmation to practice the power of positive thinking.

During our time, we also pursued our environment initiative to “clean up and keep clean” in the ocean as well as on land. Our team delivered food and medicine to the elderly who are confined to homes in remote regions. We serviced unemployed parents of children sleeping on the streets. Our main concern is to provide assistance so that the underserved can eventually sustain themselves. The first priority is for our youth to receive a competitive education and graduate. For our prisoners, we help them to use their time to reflect and reassess the power each individual has to choose their destiny on a daily basis, even against great odds and circumstantial challenges. Much of what we do, is reshape thinking and dissolve cultural stigmatism and shame. We are devoted to help as many poverty stricken community members to our fullest capacity, but that is an ongoing feat to fully accomplish. We cannot save the entire world but if we can change the world for someone, it is all worthwhile. If you wish to join us to create new opportunities and foster well being for those living in dire poverty; 100% of your donation goes directly to our educational programs and support services. This is because the costs to run our organization are covered by The Wild Orchid Directors.

On March 9th, 2018, The Wild Orchid Foundation hosted our very first Reception Launch to introduce our vision to break the cycle of poverty and present our services and programs offered to impoverished communities in The Philippines. We held our event on Nyora Taling’s Birthday. The late Nyora Taling, Catalina Lucero is the founder’s grandmother, who in her lifetime, took students under her wing and gave them an education by sending them to school. Her legacy was an inspiration to us, to continue in her action of giving to those, who are not able to access or afford a competitive education on their own. Our first event as an accredited 501(c)(3) non- profit and tax deductible, charitable entity; was a major success. Other philanthropic groups present to support us were The Blue Heron Foundation, The Good Shepherd Homeless Center for Women and Children and Lipstick Sister LLC. We thank our generous donors, raising over $5,000 that day. We also thank our many volunteers who selflessly worked to make this event a major success. Of our volunteers who provided, catering and technological support we also had our Junior Ambassadors, students who served food, cleaned up and one student, Trevor Thompson who played the piano for our guests. Over 60 attendants were present on a rainy day in Los Angeles, California. We are not capable of carrying out this enduring mission on our own, and are in deep gratitude to all the generous people who have stepped forward to uplift humanity. These actions make a direct impact in the lives of others, who otherwise could not reap these opportunities if not for our generous benefactors.

Wild Orchid thanks Esther Diaz, mother of Jacob & Bella and founder of The Piggy Box for donating The Piggy Boxes to our children’s raffle fundraiser.

Our story with The Piggy Box began with our seven-year-old son, Jacob, who started a trash bin collection business almost two years ago. Each week, he brought in our neighbors’ trash cans after trash collection day. As his business grew, so did his income. It was quickly becoming apparent that his traditional piggy bank was inadequate. He couldn’t get his money, specifically the dollar bills, in and out of the piggy bank, and he certainly had no idea how much money he
had. So began the idea of The Piggy Box.

We wanted Jacob to know exactly how much money he had so it had to be an easy-to-use money saving and organizing system. The Piggy Box
is organized into three drawers: “SAVE,” “SPEND,” and “GIVE.” Unlike piggy banks or money jars, the drawers have removable dividers so kids can sort and organize their bills. There are separate compartments for coins and bills. There is also a companion app that helps kids track their
money.

The Piggy Box is a fun and easy way for kids to manage money while teaching them sound budgeting principles and instilling the idea of “giving” at an early age. The Piggy Box is a new way to save money for today’s kids. It rethinks and reimagines how and what
we teach our kids about important life principles.

Wild Orchid Junior Ambassador Mia Hernandez-Mendoza delivers books to Chiara, fellow WOJA to deliver books to the Philippines.
Also, save the date for March 3rd, Sat. Wild Orchid Program Launch Party celebrating birthday of honorary humanitarian Monsignor Teofilo Camomot.
Stay tuned for further details.

As Wild Orchid aims to assist all underserved members of the Filipino community, we, are also composed of a full demographic range of dedicated volunteers. For our Literacy Program’s book drive, we have our Junior Ambassador US Team (here pictured Mia & Chiara.) Mia is donating books and Chiara is collecting them to bring to our Philippine barrio (neighborhood) during the quarterly US Team Outreach in March. Our Junior Ambassadors are pro-active youths, who are passionate about sharing their resources to help others reach their potential. TWOF collects books and also accepts donations to insure that underserved classrooms are equipped with necessary resources for learning. 100% of your donation goes to the cause and the students.

Wild Orchid is the featured charity for Lipstick Sister Annual Holiday Party and Book Drive.

Lipstick Sister is a network of women for women.  Founded by Hensi Morris, with local chapters in California, New York and Washington D.C. This network of extraordinary women, in the spirit of sisterhood and meaningful connection active in community and philanthropy.  TWOF founder, Coco is a proud member of Lipstick Sister. www.lipsticksister.com

The Wild Orchid Foundation was invited by Blue Heron Foundation to speak at their Anniversary Salon. The Wild Orchid Foundation was inspired by Blue Heron Foundation, who helps Romanian youths build a future through scholarships.

This was Blue Heron’s 15th Anniversary event. TWOF founders are board members of Blue Heron Foundation and each year we have witnessed the impact BH has made for countless of Romanian youths through their scholarship program. BH has also expanded their reach to The Republic of Moldova to protect youths from human trafficking and help give them a bright future. www.blueheronfoundation.org Blue Heron has encouraged Wild Orchid to take root in our present work, when it was just an idea. We are happy that inspired by Blue Heron’s example and success, we are now materializing to make our dream for the Philippines a reality. Thank you Blue Heron.

United with the Visayan Wild Orchid Officers & Junior Ambassadors we visited the barrios to distribute necessities to people and animals. We visited local prisons to motivate and support inmates in their individual journey towards liberty of the mind, heart and soul.

Our WIld Orchid Staff are group of passionate volunteers who are committed to embracing our community members, in need of a helping hand and compassion. Our staff dedicates many hours to travel and preparation for all of our outreach efforts and cheerfully take the on many challenges we encounter. We have worked with our group for years and share a long history prior to the official establishment of the Wild Orchid Foundation as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. We are grateful and blessed to have a team of noble hearts with integrity and ethic.