Caritas Manila marks its 55th anniversary this year with a fund-raising campaign dubbed “Giving Circles:  55 at 55” which aims to raise P55 million to help the urban poor.
           
            “Giving Circles:  55 at 55” is a project that hopes to create a network of people—from the academe, business, government, and private sectors—who are willing to donate for a worthy cause.  The idea is to encourage everybody to take an active part in aiding social change through a special anniversary tithing. 
This is how it works: 55 people comprise a circle, with each person giving P1,000.  One thousand circles, when multiplied by P55,000 will amount to P55 million. 

            The fund will be used to sustain Caritas Manila’s programs that will benefit the poor.

        Espousing social development through empowerment and self-reliance, Caritas Manila’s projects are all parish-based. 
Caritas gives scholarships to poor but deserving students, whose family monthly income is P1,000 or less.  Currently, there are 6,000 scholars enrolled in the elementary, high school, college and vocational levels.  For 2008, Caritas plans to increase the number to 8,000. Aside from receiving a Php 10,000 per year for the transportation and miscellaneous fees, scholars receive values formation and livelihood/skills training that provide a holistic approach, which goes beyond education. 
  

For inquiries and donations, call 5639311 or text 0906 CARITAS.