01/02/2025
During our daughter's volunteer work at Mini Manna, a food bank, she brought to our attention several years ago the large number of wheelchairs, diapers, walkers, and other aids that were left unused there. She suggested professionalizing this by setting up a foundation.
Further research revealed that the need was much greater than what we could provide as individuals. To ensure continuity, we established the Special Children Philippines Foundation.
Who are we? We are Hans and Arcenia (Archie) van Raaij, both 72 years young and married for 40 years. We usually live in the Netherlands but also spend time in the Philippines. Archie is originally from the Philippines and has lived and worked in the Netherlands since she was 17.
During our travels through the Philippines, we witnessed much hardship and suffering, which led us to start sending and donating goods and medical supplies a few years ago using our own funds.
From our home in Doetinchem, the Netherlands, we organize collection drives for children's clothing, toys, wheelchairs, walkers, glasses, hearing aids, and other surplus medical supplies.
Last month, we were able to send 50 thermometers, boxes full of mosquito repellent (DEET), hundreds of diapers, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers.
These supplies are shipped via container transport, known as Balikbayan boxes, to our home in Camiling, Tarlac, in the Philippines, from where they are distributed to disabled individuals and others in need. Local volunteers assist us with distribution.
The people and children who depend on our help often live in extreme poverty, sometimes literally on the streets, with almost no one looking out for them.
It is heartbreaking that this is still the reality in 2024. In the Philippines, many children with disabilities are abandoned or neglected. Disabilities include conditions such as autism, deletion syndrome (22Q11), Asperger’s, intellectual disabilities, hydrocephalus (water on the brain), spina bifida, cleft palate, and Down syndrome.
Visit our website: https://www.specialchildrenphilippines.com or our page where donors and those in need can connect: https://www.facebook.com/groups/specialchildrencamiling.
Through the Special Children Philippines Foundation, we can do much more. As mentioned, we have obtained ANBI status, making it even more attractive for individuals and organizations to support us!
What do we do? We provide medical aid supplies:
We reach out to regional hospitals to request donated medical supplies.
RSR and Welzorg have pledged to provide us with used (children’s) wheelchairs.
We ensure these supplies are sent monthly to the Philippines via Balikbayan boxes (https://balikbayan-nederland.eu/) using container transport.
Until now, these costs have been covered privately and through Facebook donations, but to continue this work, we need your support! We hope to hear from you."
Wij hebben Special Children Philippines opgericht om hulp te verlenen aan gehandicapte kinderen in de Filipijnen. Via deze website zoeken wij donateurs om die kinderen in de Filipijnen te helpen met kleding, rolstoelen en rollators. Door uw financiële bijdrage kunnen wij deze gehandicapte kinderen ...