Childhope Philippines Foundation, Inc. (CPFI) is an international, non-political, non-profit, and non-sectarian organization whose purpose is to advocate and help street children worldwide. They work to promote, protect, and uphold children’s rights and welfares, particularly street children, where it is a common and immense problem faced by many Filipinos suffering from poverty. CPFI traces its history back to Childhope International, founded in 1989. The establishment of the Childhope Regional Office for Asia in July 1989 began after the First Regional Conference of Street Children in Asia was held in Manila in May 1989. The said forum facilitated collaboration and networking among agencies working for street children in Asia.
As a part of a more holistic approach in reducing the number of street children, CPFI has two other sister organizations: Families and Children for Empowerment and Development (FCED) and Tahanan Sta. Luisa (Tahanan). All three organizations, including CPFI, were founded by its Founding President, Ms. Teresita L. Silva. The problems of street children are tackled in three approaches: outreach and protection (CPFI), prevention (FCED), and recovery and rehabilitation (Tahanan).
Last 2019, donors from the country and overseas showed their support, including Deutsche Bank Singapore, Australia-based Transurban Co., and International School Manila, to celebrate their 30th-anniversary service. The theme of "Helping Street Children's Dreams Come True" took the opportunity to recognize its partners and stakeholders in sharing its mission to positively impact the lives of street children. Through their flagship Student Education Program, they have helped thousands of children through the years. The passion and love for street children are very infectious and have led to the numerous partners that have supported Childhope through the years.
“We, the CHILDHOPE, believe that children have the right to develop fully as human beings and that society should help make this a reality, especially among the underprivileged. Specifically, we believe in assisting street children by promoting their ability and that of their families and communities to identify and respond to problems, by mobilizing internal and external resources to focus on these, and by involving all sectors in providing solutions.”
“We see itself as a facilitator among the different organizations, bringing sectors and resources together to safeguard the rights of street children. We believe that when challenged, the world community at the local, national and international levels will respond, out of a sense of justice and compassion, to the plight of these children.”