International Bazaar Foundation, Spouses of Heads of Missions Award 2024 Bazaar Donations to Beneficiaries
IBF Chairperson Madame Pamela Manalo, together with SHOM Chair for Charitable Giving Madame Michelle Hejcova and IBF President Consul Betty Ang, pose for a photograph with the beneficiaries.
MANILA 10 April 2025 — The Spouses of the Heads of Missions (SHOM), in collaboration with the International Bazaar Foundation, Inc. (IBF), held the Awarding of Donation Ceremony to various charity organizations on 02 April 2025 at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Double Dragon Tower, Pasay City.
The signing of the deed of donation and awarding of checks to representatives of the beneficiaries were led by IBF Chairperson Madame Pamela Manalo, and SHOM Chair for Charitable Giving Madame Michelle Hejcova. IBF President Consul Betty Ang and SHOM Executive Committee Officer Madame Indri Akyol stood as witnesses during the signing of the deed of donation.
As a tradition, a portion of the funds raised during last year’s International Bazaar on 03 November 2024, at the World Trade Center, was set aside for these beneficiaries, especially chosen by the SHOM. The beneficiaries of the donations were the following:
Green Earth Heritage Foundation - Its mission is to rebuild the forests, and assist in the alleviation of poverty through livelihoods in organic agriculture, education and spiritual transformation. SHOM will be supporting Green Earth's continuing educational initiatives for poor children by providing funds to repair the eaves of their Learning Center Roof and support the stipends of two teachers of their Literacy Program.
Guanella Center - The center reaches out and renders services to indigent and abandoned children, and adult Persons With Disability, as well as sick, neglected, aged, and disoriented youth, and families marked by deep poverty and subhuman standards of living. The Guanella Home, a residential program, will be supported with this grant with a full year of medication and psychological assessment for the residents- a total of twenty children and adult men with physical and mental disabilities.
Voice of the Free - A philanthropic Non-Government Organization which supports the welfare of marginalized migrants, especially those working in the invisible and informal sectors. The Buklod Laya Kitchen Livelihood Program, aims to empower survivors of trafficking, abuse, and exploitation by equipping them with essential culinary skills and entrepreneurship training. The grant will benefit at least 20 survivors currently residing in the Center and those who have reintegrated into their communities by enabling them to create sustainable livelihoods and achieve financial independence, fostering a sense of dignity and self-worth.
Zonta Club of Makati and Environs - The Psychological Center for Abused Girls of the Zonta Club, has been providing vital, psychological care, and educational support to hundreds of survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation. The generous donation from the SHOM Charity Team will help sustain the girls' education through two years of weekly tutoring in Math and English, as they await the final resolution of their cases.
Madame Manalo, in her message during the event, commended the beneficiaries for their commitment and dedication to improving the lives of the marginalized population. She stated, “As we look into the future, let us dream of an inclusive society where the vulnerable, such as abused women, abandoned children, and indigent farmers — are not only protected, but empowered by society by being given opportunities to transform their lives. Let us not just dream but be relentless in our pursuit of this.”
Organized in 1966, the IBF is a non-profit and fundraising institutional foundation. Since its inception, it remains committed to its mission of assisting disadvantaged sectors of the population through charitable activities. END
