Mission 61: Shelter In the Philippines

At Change the One, we believe in the power of kindness and the ripple effect of generosity. Our mission with the Gabay sa Landas (GALA) Foundation was born from a chance encounter on a

flight between Melbourne and Manila, where a conversation sparked a connection that changed lives. Peter Nicholls, our founder, was introduced to a shelter in the Philippines that cares for children aged 9 to 25—orphans, children from abusive families, or those whose parents are in prison. 

Led by Filipino manager Abigail Quilloy, this shelter is a haven of hope. Thanks to the continued support of the Reagan Milstein Foundation and its founder Kevin Milstein, children received football gear, boots, and equipment—all brought with love and generosity. The smiles on their faces say it all: Your kindness truly transforms lives. To Kevin and the Reagan Milstein Foundation, thank you for your compassion and for being a beacon of hope for those with little or nothing. Your generosity is beyond words and deeply appreciated.

Empowering Lives with New Tools and Opportunities – Laptops & Sewing Machines

Your support of Change the One has been nothing short of inspiring. Whether through donations of sewing machines or laptops, you’ve helped make a real difference in the lives of children at the Gabay Sa Landas Foundation in the Philippines. Despite facing tragedy and hardship, these resilient children, aged 6 to 25, remain hopeful, respectful, and eager to build a brighter future.

The sewing machines are more than tools—they’re the foundation of a cottage industry, teaching vital skills like manufacturing, marketing, and sales. This initiative fosters confidence, independence, and purpose, sparking hope and brightening their futures. Likewise, the laptops support their education, especially after their previous computer broke down last week. These devices help them learn, grow, and realize their potential, nurturing resilience and self-worth.

Your support honours their dignity and opens doors to opportunities they could never have imagined. From all of us at Change the One and the Gabay Sa Landas Foundation—especially the children—you have truly made a meaningful impact. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

LETTER FROM TIFFANY – MANAGER

Re; Gabay sa Landas (GALA) Foundation Inc

241 E. Dela Paz St Barangay San Pedro Angono Rizal, Philippines

Dear Peter,

Thank you so much for your interest on the shelter and for giving time and effort to consider extending support to us. 

Gabay sa Landas (GALA) Foundation Inc is a temporary shelter located in Angono, Rizal.  It caters to impoverished, neglected, orphaned and abandoned children.  Our admission age is 6 to 10 years old.  Under normal circumstances, a child should be with us up to a maximum of 2 years only.  However, if the one or both parents are still not capable of taking custody and providing them with their basic rights as a child, we extend our child care services.  This can last until any of their immediate family members or a close relative has been assessed for parental capacity or guardianship.  

The foundation aims to provide our 4-part program to a child under our care which includes Educational Development, Social Enhancement, Health Improvement and Spiritual Enrichment.  Under the Educational Development program, we help the beneficiaries cope with their corresponding academic level based on their age and mental capacity.  If they have to stay with us for a long period, this program may last until they finish their college education.  The Social Enhancement Program helps the beneficiaries gain confidence in building relationships with people in the community.  We expose them to community based activities where they can learn to communicate with other people, behave in public places, and present themselves well.  The Health Improvement focuses more on their physical well being and maintenance where we make sure that the beneficiaries are in good physical condition.  Finally, the Spiritual Enrichment is probably the most important program we offer.  We help the beneficiaries develop a strong relationship with Jesus.  We believe that a strong faith in the Lord will help them overcome their hurts, resentments, dark pasts and bitterness which may have resulted in the reason why they are with us in the shelter.  They will face their future with a grateful heart if they are able to accept that despite their sad and unfortunate life stories, they are given hope through the foundation.

At the moment, we only have 10 children in the shelter.  We intend to add more children starting this year since we already have completed our DSWD requirements. Currently, our youngest is 9 years old while the eldest is 22 who is graduating from Hotel Management this school year.  Most of the children under our care are children of inmates who were detained due to drug use or trade.  These inmates became a part of the Jail Ministry which the founder of GALA Foundation also started.  Through the membership of the inmates in the Jail Ministry, they refer their children to us for temporary care.  Some children were brought to the shelter by their family members or relatives.  The children are accepted as long as they are within our prescriptive age and family status.  We aim to care for a maximum of 24 children in the shelter.  Should there be additional children who need our services, we will put up another shelter for them.  We believe that caring for children in a controlled number will allow us to give them the proper care and attention they need without being institutionalized.  If we go beyond 24 children per shelter, there will be a high probability of building “survival instincts” among the children instead of just having a loving family environment.

Funding of GALA comes from donations of church members, family, friends and a few companies.  Upon completion of our DSWD licensing, we aim to reach out to more donors here and outside the country.

We currently have 8 staff.  We have a social worker, 2 admin workers, a pair of house parents, an in-house tutor, a housekeeper and an Executive Director who oversees the operation.  We need to add another set of house parents if and when our financial capacity allows us.

If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to send me an email.  I will be most glad to reply more promptly next time.  Once again, thank you for giving time for us.  May God continue to bless you and your family.

Sincerely,

Tiffany