BalayniCharie, 20 for 20

20 Years of Service

Twenty years have flown by since BalayniCharie gave its first school supplies to children in Roxas City, Capiz. I'm deeply grateful to all the people who have generously supported our program through the years. As I've said many times before, BalayniCharie would not have made it this far without your unwavering support.

For our 20th year, BalayniCharie connected with 20 schools, barangays, the indigenous people of Capiz in Dumarao, a senior home, a blind and deaf community home, feeding programs at two schools, day care centers and a catechism class in Roxas City. We were also able to get more books for our Little Free Library and various school libraries in Capiz from UNIFFIED of New York through the help of Nieva Burdick so we can continue to provide reading materials to the community. Many thanks to Odette Aquitania Ricasa, Connie Collo, Selma Templanza, Smiley and Kai Foundation, Diane and Mon Acas, Anonymous and all the coordinators and operations staff who helped us make our 20th year a huge success. 

Here is a list of the schools and various organizations we were privileged to reach:

1. Tinigban Elementary School, Panitan - November 28, 2025

2. Minoro ES, Mambusao - December 4, 2025

3. Quinat-uyan ES, Maayon - December 10, 2025

4. Ati and Panay Bukidnon communities, Dumarao - January 10, 2026

Many thanks to Christian George Acevedo, Governor F. Castro and Atty. Luvim Amores for the food supplies.

5. Binantuan ES, Pan-ay - Dec. 15, 2026

6. Bato ES, Pan-ay - Dec. 15, 2026

7. Conrado Barrios Memorial School Feeding Program, Roxas City - Jan. 15, 2026

Many thanks Christian George Acevedo, Mataji and Atty. Luvim Amores with whom we worked at this feeding event. 

8. Anatolia ES Feeding Program, Roxas City - Jan. 22, 2026

9. Barangay Culasi, Roxas City - January 31, 2026

10. Almon Primary School, Ivisan - Dec. 11, 2025

11. Pontevedra ES -Kindergarten - December 2026

12. Cabugao Summer Catechism class, Roxas City - May 26, 2026

13. Pondol ES, President Roxas - August 19, 2026

14. Aranguel ES, President Roxas - August 19, 2026

15.  Bagacay ES, Pan-ay - Sept. 8, 2026

16.  Bun-od ES, Cuartero - Sept. 16, 2026

17.  Book Distributions in Capiz - 5 schools, one community home and the Little Free Library including St. Lawrence Parish School in Panitan, Our Lady of Snows Institute in Dumarao, Balay Dalayunan in Roxas City, St. Isidore High School in Pontevedra, Little Free Library in Roxas City, Nuestra Señora del Pilar Parochial School and St. Catherine Academy in Mambusao. Many thanks to Fr. Ryan Barrios and Mercedes Ignacio for coordinating with the schools to make these distributions happen.

Books from UNIFFIED

18.  Home for the Aged, Banica, Roxas City - Jan. 20, 2026

19.  Balay Dayonan, Roxas City - Sept. 30, 2026

20.  Three Day Care Centers in Timpas, Panitan - October 2, 2026

21.  Little Free Library, Roxas City - ongoing project

at Jacques, Baybay Beach, Roxas City

As we look forward to the next 20 years, we are excited to join hands with Smiley and Kai Foundation which is an organization that provides medical devices to senior citizens and people with mobility issues.

Recipient of scooter

“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.” Maya Angelou

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Images by BalayniCharie

20th year at Almon Primary School

Almon Primary School

Some of the children from Almon Primary School have to walk an hour to school everyday from their homes up in the mountains of Ivisan. I admire their determination to learn and get a good education. Thanks to our generous donors Odette Aquitania Ricasa and Connie Collo for sponsoring this event today. BalayniCharie Foundation is now on its 20th year of giving school supplies to the children in Capiz.

Every child should have the opportunity to go to school and learn.

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Images by TravelswithCharie

Balay ni Charie is now on its 19th year

It seems only yesterday when we started giving school supplies to the children in Capiz. In the beginning, we gave school supplies to 20 children at Conrado Barrios Elementary School in Roxas City. The following year we gave the entire first grade class and then both the first and second grades the succeeding year until we finally had the funds to give the entire school. Big thanks to our donors who have made this journey possible. Now we’re on the eve of our 20th anniversary. How exciting is that! 

In early 2025, we visited six schools and here they are: 

Catmon Elementary School, Panitan, Capiz, February 12, 2025

Donor: Leda Albar

Cabungahan Elementary School, Maayon, Capiz, February 18, 2025

Donor: Connie Collo, Odette Aquitania Ricasa

Culasi Elementary School, Sapian, Capiz, February 26, 2025

Donor: Florence Barredo Panes

Balaring Elementary School, Ivisan, Capiz, March 11, 2025

Donor: Smiley and Kai Shies Program

Nipa Day Care, Roxas City, March 12, 2025

Donor: Nieva Q. Burdick

Tugas Elementary School, Mambusao, Capiz, March 18, 2025

Donor: Selma Templanza, Rose Driscoll (Rose Driscoll made a special quilt and donated it as a prize to raise funds for BalayniCharie).

Big thanks to Diane Acas for the special backpacks she donated which we gave to a few of the children whose names were drawn from a hat by their teachers. The winners were so pleased with the backpacks. We are grateful to all our donors who made the children very happy and well prepared to tackle their schoolwork.

If you would like to donate to our school supplies program or would like your school to receive school supplies, please contact balaynicharie@gmail.com. The elementary school must be located in Capiz, Philippines.

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Images by TravelswithCharie

Forging ahead in 2023

Schools visited in January 2023:

Doña Fructuosa Alba de Romero Elem. School

Sigma, Capiz

Principal: Sherill Buni

January 7, 2023

Sponsored by Odette A. Ricasa and 

Nieva Q. Burdick

With Odette A. Ricasa

Agustin Navarra Elem School

Ivisan, Capiz

Principal: Judith P. Tu

January 19, 2023

Sponsored by Odette A. Ricasa and

Smiley and Kai Rice and Shoes Project

Duluan Elem School

Maayon, Capiz

Principal: Abner Damsani

January 2023

Books donated by Jasmin Gaite and 

Diane Acas

Dayhagan Elem School

Pilar, Capiz

Principal: Phincy Obligar

January 30, 2023

Sponsored by Gary and Nancy Steele Charitable Trust 

Odette A. Ricasa

Smiley and Kai Shoes Project

Butacal Elementary School

Pontevedra, Capiz

January 28, 2023

Kinder, Grade 1 and Grade 6

Photos by Elvina Benliro, Kinder Instructor

Many thanks to all our sponsors who are our backbone. BalayniCharie couldn't do it without your generous support. God bless you all. 

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Images by TravelswithCharie unless otherwise indicated.

BalayniCharie Report for June 2019 - Sept. 2019

Canuto Fuentes Elementary School

The start of the 2019-2020 school year in the Philippines was a frenzy of preparations for BalayniCharie. We reached out to 15 schools and communities in Capiz beginning in June. BalayniCharie is celebrating its 14th year of giving school supplies to elementary school students in Capiz, thanks to our generous sponsors. We are excited to celebrate our 15th year of service to the Capiz community in 2020. 

Panfilo Mendoza Elementary School

These were the schools we visited:

1. Balaring Elementary School - Ivisan - June 4, 2019
2. Sinandigan Elem School - Sigma - June 7, 2019
3. Cabugao Elem School - Panitan - June 10, 2019
4. Agbatuan Elem School - Dumarao - June 13, 2019
5. Alipaciawan Elem School - Dumarao - June 13, 2019
6. Madulano Elem School - President Roxas - June 20, 2019
7. Valentin Punsalan Elem School - Pilar - July 1, 2019
8. Canuto Fuentes Elem School - Sibaguan - July 12, 2019
9. Panfilo Mendoza Elem School - Ivisan - August 6, 2019
10. Culasi Day Care Center - August 7, 2019
11. Carida Elem School - Tapaz - August 15, 2019

Culasi Day Care Center

List of communities we visited:

Story telling at Gawad Kalinga with Christian George Francisco Acevedo

1. Gawad Kalinga (GK) - Dinginan - June 23, 2019
2. Ati and Panay Bukidnon Communities - Dumarao - July 6,  2019
3. Juvenile Crisis Center - Roxas City - Sept. 5, 2019

Books from Amy and Nathan of California 
(photo courtesy of Abner Abs)

Book Donation:

1. Duluan Elementary School - Maayon - June 22, 2019

Shoes from Smiley and Kai Rice and Shoes Program

Many thanks to all our sponsors who made these school supplies distribution possible: Gary and Nancy Steele, Dr. Lilia Chung, Diane and Mon Acas, Smiley and Kai Rice and Shoes Program, Amy and Nathan for the book donation, and all our event coordinators especially Clara Salame, TinTin Alvarez, Dolly Buday, Quitty Gadian, Christian George Francisco Acevedo, Ryan de la Luna and all the principals and teachers for the smooth operation of these distributions. 

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Images by  BalayniCharie Foundation 

2016-2017 School Year Report

BalayniCharie visited these elementary schools in Capiz and gave school supplies to the students enrolled there:

The school year in most schools in the Philippines begins in June and usually ends in March or early April. 

July 2016 - Balaring Elementary School in Ivisan

July 2016 - Day Care Center in Pontevedra

August 2016 - Ameligan Elementary School in Pontevedra

August 2016 - Sibaguan Elementary School in Roxas City

September 2016 - Malonoy Elementary School in Dao

October 2016 - Lawis Day Care and Culasi Day Care (at the nipa hut)

January 2017 - Juan Aldea Elementary School in Sigma

January 2017 - Balaring Elementary School in Ivisan

BalayniCharie also gave books to the library of Juan Aldea Elementary School in cooperation with the Monique AlbarJen Rice and Shoes Program.

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Images by TravelswithCharie

Launching our 12th year

We recently launched BalayniCharie Foundation's 12th year anniversary in Ivisan, Capiz. Together with Monike Alberjieun's Rice and Shoes Program which is celebrating its first year anniversary, we reached out to 135 students.

Thank you to all our generous supporters over the years. We made it to our 12th anniversary with your help. Nieva Quezon Burdick, Leda Albar, Diane Acas, Bock Loo, Ray Wong, Gilda Saluta, Landec Corporation, Lifecore Corporation, Celita Conlu, Selma Templanza, Esther and Bing Arceño, Gary Steele, Rosemary Driscoll, Leah Soper, Anthony Albar and an Anonymous donor.

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Images by BalayniCharie