Who We Are

GIVE TO VIRLANIE Please help Virlanie give street children a home, a family, food, education and a future.

Who We Are

It is a non-government organization (NGO) reaching out to street children. It cares for children in need of special protection: abandoned, abused, exploited, neglected, orphaned, poor… Close to 200 staff and volunteers, supported by a network of donors and sponsors, touched the lives of 1,200 street children in 2009. Virlanie will do more in 2010.
Founded by French social worker, Dominique Lemay, the non-profit foundation celebrates its 18th anniversary this year. During these 18 years, Virlanie has helped 11,000 children become responsible and self-sufficient adults.

Dominique founded the Virlanie Foundation in 1992. It began with two residential homes and the Family Program, a community outreach initiative in two of the poorest communities in Metro Manila. Over the following years, the Foundation opened several new residential homes. Some were designed for special populations such as abused girls – Elizabeth Home, children with special needs – Aime Home, and young mothers – Mother and Child Home. Virlanie also launched a range of support programs, including in 1997, a creative arts center and the Children's Legal Rights Center. A program to prepare older children for independent living and employment was initiated. The Family Reunification Program began in 2001, the Magellan Learning Center in 2004. They were followed soon afterwards by Patricia Half-Way Home and the Open Day Center.

Virlanie reaches children found living in the streets, those in Manila’s Reception and Action Center and those referred by other institutions including children in conflict with the law. The Foundation strives to prevent the future physical and psychological abuse of children. It envisions empowered children with a brighter future. In 2009 we cared for more than four hundred (400+) children in our twelve (12) homes and eight hundred (800) children through our outreach programs.

Vision: Empowered children for a brighter future.

Mission: To take care and look after the children in need of special protection.

Goal: Extend developmental services to children allowing them to become self-reliant, productive, independent individuals using a family atmosphere and reintegration into normal community life.

Virlanie provides street children a home, a family, a future. 12 Homes and 13 programs allow street children in the most desperate need 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.

With the help of hundreds of individuals, organizations and companies, the Foundation provides food, shelter and clothing. In addition, it gives children opportunities to study; finds ways to re-unite children with their families (if they are capable of caring for the children); gives children medical and psychological support, and also assistance with their legal cases. Virlanie encourages artistic, cultural and sporting activities, both within the Foundation and outside.

Virlanie is unique in that the Foundation is not a center – it’s a home. It’s a home where the prevailing atmosphere is that of a family. Each Home has a father, mother, aunts and uncles 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.

While improving the lives of Filipino street children is Virlanie’s priority, the families and communities that support the children also need assistance. Hence, the Foundation also serves young, unwed mothers, many of who do not have family support and do not know how to raise their infants on their own. Other Virlanie programs seek to educate and empower parents and communities to better care for their children.