WE Foundation

We’d like you to meet Mariel, a 24-year-old scholar from Culion, Palawan, whose story is rooted in sacrifice, resilience, and hope. As the second of eight siblings, Mariel grew up in a family where both love and hardship were always present. Her mother is Tagbanua, her father is a farmer and fisherman, and like many families in rural communities, they worked hard but still struggled to support all of their children, especially when it came to education.

From a young age, Mariel dreamed of finishing school alongside her older brother so they could one day help support their younger siblings. But during senior high school, when the family faced financial crisis, her brother made the painful decision to stop his own studies so Mariel could continue hers. That sacrifice left a deep mark on her and strengthened her determination to keep moving forward.

She dreams of a day when the youth of Culion, especially Indigenous youth, can rise above poverty through education, lead with confidence, and give back to their communities.

Mariel is now on her first year in nursing school and with your help, she can continue her educational journey and move closer to the future she hopes to help build.

Sponsor Mariel today—and help invest in a future where education empowers Indigenous youth to rise, lead, and give back to their communities.

 

Hannah is an 18-year-old from Culion, Palawan, who has long dreamed of becoming a doctor, and that dream was shaped by what she witnessed as a child growing up in an island community where access to healthcare was often painfully out of reach.

Despite financial struggles, Hannah worked hard in school and held on to her dream. Now, with scholarship support, she has the opportunity to begin her journey toward a future in healthcare and one day return to serve her community.

She is in her first year of nursing at Gordon College in Olongapo as her pre-med course. Even in state institutions, the annual cost of college is about $5,000, including mandatory school fees, nursing supplies, school supplies, uniforms, and living expenses. Your support can help Hannah stay focused on her studies and move closer to her goal.

Sponsor Hannah today—and help a future healthcare professional bring compassion, skill, and hope back to the island communities that need it most.

It’s my birthday, and this year, I’m asking for something a little different. Instead of gifts, I would love your support for the WE Foundation, an organization that is incredibly close to my heart. Their mission to empower underserved communities in the Philippines through education and community development resonates deeply with me.

Your support helps WE Foundation make a difference by contributing towards efforts like:

Each donation—no matter the size—will contribute to meaningful change and help foster a brighter future for those who need it most. By celebrating my birthday in this way, I hope to inspire others to join me in supporting an incredible cause. Thank you for considering a donation in lieu of gifts; together, we can make a lasting impact!

Meet Niña Guimba: Future Nurse, Aspiring Dentist, Community Hero

Niña’s life has been shaped by both hardship and love. She was raised by her grandparents from the time she was only a few months old, while both of her parents went on to have separate families. Despite limited means, her grandparents gave her a stable and caring home, while her aunt and uncle helped support her education and family needs so she could complete high school. Their sacrifices gave her the foundation to keep dreaming and moving forward.

Her dream of becoming a dentist comes from a very personal place. As a child, Niña was exposed to Indigenous communities through her mother and aunt, who both served in areas where Indigenous families lived and studied. These early experiences helped her develop a deep connection to these communities. Later, when she transferred to Loyola College of Culion, she built even closer friendships with Indigenous classmates and saw firsthand the dental problems many of them faced. She understood their struggles deeply because she had also experienced dental issues herself, and she knew how much oral health can affect a person’s confidence and quality of life.

She’s starting her journey with a nursing degree, a required step before entering dental school in the Philippines. But she can’t do it alone. Even in state institutions, the annual cost of college is about $5,000, including mandatory school fees, nursing supplies, school supplies, uniforms, and living expenses. Your support can help Niña continue her studies and move closer to her dream of bringing care and confidence to others.

✨ Sponsor Niña today—and help her bring healthy smiles to the underserved children of Culion. By supporting Niña, you're investing in a future where every child in Culion can smile confidently.

Support a scholar. Invest in a future leader. Help a community grow stronger.