This small, private,non-profit child-help project was started on November 22, 2002, in the towns of Quirangay, Camalig; Pawa and Bogtong in Legazpi City, Albay, Southern Luzon, in the Philippines. Six (6) children aged 6 to 9 years old were attended to on weekends, given free tutorials, financial aid for schooling and proper nutrition. Melk, a Filipina married to a German national and who studied and finished Nursing Studies at the Heidelberg University in Heidelberg, financially supported the project during her stay abroad. A product of Rotary International District 381, Rotary Club of Paranaque during Rotary Years 1983 to 1984, and a former Rotary Youth Leadership Awardee, Melk was inspired to give back, in her own simple ways, the care and support she was given privilege of during her struggle for education.
Melk worked as an Intensive Care Unit Nurse on a heart surgery ward at Klinikum Grosshadern inMunich and won several friends, who until now, are giving support to her small project in the Philippines. From 2002 to 2005, more than thirty (30) children availed of financial aid, of free schooling materials and of free tutorials on weekends. Three (3) volunteers given with food and transportation allowances took care of the children in Quirangay, Pawa and Bogtong.
In March 2004, Melk flew back to the Philippines after 17 years of living and working abroad and took over of the management of her project. In May 2004, a Nipa Hut was built for thirty (30) children, donated by the Family Fester of Crailsheim, Germany. She was able to manage the project until political conflicts and extortion led her to give up Quirangay, Camalig in August 2005. After a series of threats, she transferred the project to Bogtong Elementary School where she was given privileges to use the Social Hall on Saturdays. There she continued giving free tutorials and brain gymnastics to students with learning difficulties. House visits were also scheduled and attended. A total of nine (9) scholars with regular sponsors from Germany in Quirangay, Pawa and Bogtong are being supported. These are Maribel Nacor, Margie Nacor, Marites Nacor, Rosemarie Nacor, Jaymmars Nolasco, Joey Nantes, Liezel Padios, Andy Crisostomo and Michael Blando.
Friends and sponsors from Germany and Austria get an annual report on finances and activities together with the receipts of tuition fees and a copy of the student's report card. The project gives financial support on school tuition fees, school uniforms, clothings and shoes, school materials, books, allowances, food and nutritional supplements and medicines.
This project is now on its Fourth (4.) Year. The goal is to give some poor children a chance to acquire High School education as their basis to a higher education.
