✨ Story time… and a heartfelt request for your support. ✨

This is Little Me. The tiny pigtailed pixie in rainbow suspenders, proudly clutching my beloved pet chicken. I was three years old, living in the Philippines with my Lola (Grandma) while my parents and sister were back in Canada, working and going to school. What was meant to be a short visit turned into me spending my 3rd and 4th birthdays there, and an experience that would ultimately shape my heart.

I was immersed in a culture and a way of life that looked nothing like the one I had known in Canada. I remember families living in cardboard or plywood shelters. Children running barefoot, playing with sticks and rocks. Some were lucky if they had “dolls” made of stuffed plastic bags tied together with rubber bands. And one memory that never left me…a family of four crouched in a tiny three-walled structure, huddled around a small fire with a pot placed in the middle. They tore pieces of bread, dipping them into coffee made from a single Sanka instant coffee packet because the liquid would make their small portions of bread feel like more in their bellies.

These moments marked me. They gave me a lifelong awareness that many carry burdens far heavier than our own.

And now, after all these years, I’m returning. In January, I’ll be back in the Philippines. This time, with my 11 year old son and my 85 year old Mama. Together, we’ll be visiting an orphanage, a day school for children with special needs, an elder care facility and also connecting with families in some of the poorest areas that have been hit by recent super typhoons and earthquakes. Our hope is to bring not just love and presence, but also practical help:

• Food, medicine, and emergency supplies

• Clothing, shoes, and toys for children

• Care packages for families who are struggling to meet even their most basic needs

Here’s where you come in. This is our time to shine…the time when community becomes family, even from across the world.

I’ve set up this GoFundMe to raise money that will go directly toward purchasing food and necessities while we are there, so we can buy in bulk and support local businesses at the same time.

Every donation—no matter how big or small—will have a real and immediate impact. A full belly. A child with shoes on their feet. A family that knows they’re not forgotten. Dignity and care.

I’d love for you to be part of this journey with us!

We want you to see the impact of your generosity, so I’ll be sharing photos and videos of our volunteer time and the joy your gifts bring. Here and on Instagram (@pilitamchugh)

Thank you for helping us bring hope and relief to children and families in the Philippines. We’ll carry your gifts across the ocean and put them into the hands of those who need it most!

Pilita

M’s Mama | Simple Living Coach

Minimalism + Motherhood