The Lingap Children's Foundation Creates a Better Future for Abandoned Kids in the Philippines

One of the highest rated non-profit organizations on GreatNonprofits.org, the Lingap Children's Foundation provides funding for projects to help disadvantaged children in the Philippines. The foundation was established by John Drake, who began traveling to the Philippines while serving as senior vice president of human resources and administrative services for CMS Energy and affiliate Consumers Energy in Jackson, Michigan. He started the Lingap Children's Foundation after seeing orphans and abandoned children living on the streets, not far from the luxurious hotels and white sand beaches.

The first goal of the Lingap Children's Foundation was to raise money to construct the new Lingap Center in Toledo City, Cebu so neglected, abused, or exploited children can rebuild their lives. The original Lingap Center was a former pig slaughterhouse that could accommodate only a few children. Furthermore, it had no stove, refrigerator, or other facilities, and children used the same trough to wash their clothes and dishes, brush their teeth, and bathe themselves.

Completed in early 2006, the new Lingap Center includes a kitchen, dining room, study area, dormitory, office facilities, and quarantine rooms. The building has been designed to accommodate future expansion as well. Currently, there are 100 kids between the ages of 6 and 18 living at the center. The staff ensures that the kids are well-fed and go to school. The Lingap Center provides a safe environment for children who would otherwise be in life-threatening situations.



Other programs of the Lingap Children's Foundation include basic education and microeconomic entrepreneur training for street children, a children's mass and soup kitchen on the third Saturday of each month, and a community library built in partnership with seven US Rotary Clubs, three Philippine Rotary Clubs, and Rotary International.

Drake retired from his position at CMS Energy in June of 2006 after 32 years of service. He now devotes his efforts to the Lingap Center, serving as president of the Lingap Children's Foundation.