Maliyaa Foundation

Kids receiving goods from the Maliyaa Foundation

'maliyaa means mates'

The 'maliyaa foundation' is determined to assist disadvantaged Filipino children attend school, something they cherish, but find increasingly difficult due to monetary constraints and sheer amount of poverty existing within this proud nation, the Philippines. Children are unable to start school without basic school supplies such as a pen/pencil and notebook. Many rural children often work on the family farm from an early age until they can afford these basic supplies to attend school. Hence, ages in some of our Elementary project schools may range from 4-16. These kids are very appreciative of the smallest assistance, whether it be a new pencil, a folder, someone's recycled shirt or shoes, an old toy or doll, the smile on their faces when they open these boxes from their Australian mates is extremely overwhelming and very fulfilling, in many cases the first time some-one other than family has actually cared about them. The maliyaa foundation is seeking people and organisations who care, show them we care by donating those goods that we normally throw away or leave at the bottom of the cupboard, even a few dollars to assist with freight charges, everything helps.

Our Indigenous Mates

With the assistance of well known Redfern Aboriginal mentor, Uncle Jack Dunn, a number of projects will be undertaken to link both cultures through inter-action, teachings and a genuine commitment to mateship.
One of the main projects is to rebuild some of the schoolhouses damaged by natural disaster.
Uncle Jack conducts a variety of tradesmen's entry level courses for aboriginals of all ages, and it is proposed that a number of the bricklaying apprentices embark on a journey to assist in this very worthy cause.
The strong aboriginal culture will be displayed through dance and friendship, a genuine cultural exchange between proud neighbours.

Philippines Cyclone

Demolished House from a Philippines Cyclone

The Phillippines

The Republic of the Philippine Islands is made up of 7,107 islands, with a rapidly growing population of 100 million, of which, 40% live in abject poverty. Despite this massive problem, they are a very proud, hard working nation, with a literacy rate better than many Western countries, brought about by their huge thirst for education.
The Philippines is also Australia's largest English speaking neighbour, with more than 90% of the population being bi-lingual. Their are many local dialects within the Philippines, the most widely spread and official language being Tagalog.
The Philippines also suffer from many natural disasters annually, there are more than 20 typhoons every year, ranging in strength, from Cat1 (60-90kmph) to super-typhoons (above 250kmph). They all cause destruction and displace millions of people, thousands die every year from this devastation, but the world only ever hears about these events when they are major catastrophes. It's as though the world has forgotten the Philippines and a mere 500 thousand displaced and twenty dead is not worth reporting, shame on the world.
Of course typhoons aren't the only diversion these proud people face every year, their are always associated landslides (some huge), tsunami's, massive flooding and total chaos on a much too regular basis. Then, there are at least two earthquakes per year, and the occasional volcanic disturbance to further disrupt any form of normalcy that these poor people endure yearly.
Despite all of these huge natural events, their thirst for education is extremely strong, just as the people are, the Philippines always remains a beautiful and fascinating place to visit, the people are always friendly and well humored, surely some of the most durable and honorable people in the world.