About Us
We Are
SFK Philippines
The SFK, also known as the Study Fund for Philippine Children Foundation, Inc., is a non-stock and non-profit organization that operates with the goal of providing educational grants and scholarships to underprivileged children and young individuals in the Philippines.
Over the past 35 years, SFK has consistently supported and aided its beneficiaries in achieving their academic aspirations and obtaining degrees. With the Foundation's assistance, more than 230 students have successfully graduated from elementary to post-graduate levels.
View our Annual Report for 2022 by clicking the button below:
This is a documentary featuring some of the scholars/alumni of the Study Fund for Philippine Children (SFK). This production is sponsored by BlueDrop and was released in 2012.
Vision
SFK envisions a nation where all children and youth have access to education and become self-reliant individuals, contributing to the nation's welfare.
Mission
To bring real and lasting change in the lives of SFK scholars by investing in their potentials and guiding them to become successful, self-reliant individuals.
Goal
The Study Fund for Philippine Children Foundation, Inc. supports children and youth from marginalized families to ensure access to basic education and completion of technical-vocational training or college education.
Our Objectives
1
To sponsor, support, undertake, promote and finance projects and undertaking for the educational needs and/or vocational training of its scholars.
2
To provide educational grants, scholarships, health and/or medical insurance, clothing and transportation allowance to its scholars.
SFK's History
Philippus John Rutger Zalsman Wielenga, who led the group of Dutch nationals residing in the Philippines including Lenny Kling and Monique F.M. Vochteloo, along with Proserfina Abuel-Jacela, a public high school guidance counselor, and Filipino education advocate Joaquin H. Gonzalez, founded SFK-Philippines with the aim of providing educational assistance to the poorest-of-the-poor Filipino children and youth. This non-stock, non-profit, and non-government organization is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippines.
The SFK Board of Trustees consists of capable professionals who volunteer their services without compensation, ensuring that donors' monetary support is solely dedicated to the welfare of SFK scholars.
The SFK is funded by donors who support its mission of improving the lives of disadvantaged Filipino children. The organization primarily receives donations from generous foreign donors, which are processed through SFK-Netherlands. To ensure that the funds are properly managed and effectively utilized, the SFK's financial records are subject to an annual independent audit by a reputable auditing firm in the country.
Educational Scholarship Program
The scholarship program we offer includes financial support for school expenses, namely:
- Allowance
- Transportation
- School Supplies
- Books & Reading Materials
- Uniform / Clothing
- Projects & Thesis
- Computer / Internet Access
- Board Review & Examination Fees
- Board & Lodging*
- Graduation Fees
* case-to-case, usually during intensive preparation for board exam
The SFK takes an active role in ensuring that the scholars prioritize their education and have the necessary resources and funding to support their studies.
Academic Guidance and Monitoring
SFK communicates with school staff and visits scholars' homes to monitor their academic and personal progress.
Medical Services
SFK places a high priority on the health and well-being of its scholars and provides medical assistance to those in need of care and treatment due to illness or other medical causes.
- Dental service for all scholars
- Hospitalization
- Psychological services
Socio-Developmental Activities
SFK offers various opportunities for social
interaction and personal development to its scholars by organizing
seminars, workshops, and other capacity-building activities.
Spiritual Growth and Enrichment
SFK values spiritual growth and conducts programs to educate scholars on moral and spiritual values, respecting their beliefs for overall well-being.
Calamity Assistance
The SFK also offers support to its student scholars and their families who have been affected by natural disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, fires, pandemics, and other related crises.
Support We Provide
SFK provides educational scholarships to support the schooling and college education of children and youth from the poorest-of-the-poor families. The foundation accepts school-age children and youth, aged 7-13, who are currently enrolled in public elementary or high school and whose families have an economic income that falls below the poverty threshold.
Got a question about SFK? Are you interested in partnering with us? Have some suggestions or just want to say hi?
Herbert B. Domingo
President
Associate Professor of Physics, University of the Philippines Manila
"When household situations could only hamper a child's education, I found the Study Fund for Philippine Children Foundation an effective heave towards ideal educational goals. Working with different generations of fellow former beneficiaries, I realized that the Foundation has left in our hearts some hallmarks of hope and constant disposition to help without reserve."
Renato Zosimo B. Evangelista
Vice-President
(Lawyer, SFK Beneficiary 1992-2001, Founding & Managing Partner Evangelista & Mariano Law Firm)
"Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mine worker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm workers can become the President of a great nation."
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world".
- Nelson Mandela
Iluminada F. Quiñones
Board Treasurer
(Retired Principal, Good Samaritan Christian School)
“ Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
– Proverbs 3:5-6
Elizabeth V. Meneses
Secretary
(Retired Division Chief, Curriculum Implementation Division, Division of City Schools, Quezon City)
To teach is to love. "One can teach basic skills without love, but to truly make a difference in a student's life there needs to be love."
- John Miller
Through education filled with love and compassion, we at SFK would like to make a difference in the lives of our scholars.
Proserfina A. Jacela
Current Board Member, Past President, and Co-Founder of SFK
(Retired Guidance Counselor, San Francisco High School)
"God helps those who help themselves."
Jasel Rubie I. Reyes
Board Member
(Vice President of Operations, Dane Group of Companies )
“We are blessed so we can be a blessing to others.”
Leonicia M. Llarena
Board Member
(President, Dane Group of Companies)
"The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary."
- Vince Lombardi
Evelyn S. Rodriguez
Board Member
(Bookkeeper/Accounting Staff, Bonifacio Javier National High School)
“Positive attitude is the key to success in life.”
Danilo A. Longasa
Current Board Member and Past President of SFK
(Investigation Officer / Head, Investigation and Intelligence Unit, Security Department, Land Bank of the Philippines)
“Without SFK, Who and Where would I be?”
Marvin D. Ramos
Board Member
(Principal Engineer - Piping and Layout, TECHOUSE AS)
“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”
– Proverbs 11:25
Charita E. Dimaculangan
Board Member
(Training Officer, Makati Anti-Drug Abuse Council)
“The intelligent way to be selfish is to work for the welfare of others....”
- Dalai Lama
Raquel J. Abaloyan
Administrative Officer/Social Worker
Study Fund for Philippine Children Foundation, Inc.
“When you focus on being a blessing, God makes sure that you are always blessed in abundance.”
- Joel Osteen
Christopher C. Buan
Administrative Assistant
Study Fund for Philippine Children Foundation, Inc.
“Always give without remembering and always receive without forgetting.”
- Brian Tracy
The Children and Youth of Needy Families
SFK offers educational scholarships to children and youth who come from indigent families and are considered to be among the poorest of the poor. Eligible applicants must be
- currently enrolled in public elementary or high school,
- aged 7-13 years old,
- with a general average of 80% or higher
- no grades lower than 80% in all subjects in every quarter.
- have regular school attendance.
The foundation offers funding for education up to college, but scholars must live with their families/relatives/guardians during the program.
Areas We Serve
SFK operates mainly in NCR but also extends services to relocated scholars, ensuring equal assistance regardless of location.
Success. "Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." A maxim that continuously depicts my journey in life. An SFK Alumna 2022, Batch 2014. Currently working as an Admin Support at Saskatchewan Public Institute/ Saskatchewan Polytechnic, and here's my fair share of journey with the SFK Family.
Family. In 2014, one of my teachers in high school asked for my presence in the Guidance office, and I was already nervous by that time since I was questioning myself about the reason why I was summoned. When I got there and got interviewed, that's when I calmed down and realized it was just an interview for a possible scholarship. As time passed by, I became an official scholar of SFK in June 2014 and got to know my co-scholars more, especially during our team building and Christmas party. Later on, some of them became my close friends, and the whole SFK became my second family that provided advice and support that every person needed during their ups and downs, such as the webinar on mental health awareness in the midst of the pandemic that had a great impact on us.
Kindness. Without SFK, I would have been halfway to giving up, but they became a reminder, like my family, that I must continue to fight. It's not just me facing challenges, but "we" are facing different challenges in life that make us stronger and help us find our way back on track after getting lost.
Consistent, Genuine, and Intimate. These are three words I can use to describe how SFK has been for the past 11 years of my experience as their scholar. Ever since I stepped into SFK's office in the year 2012 as a grade six student who got flustered when asked what seven times eight is during the interview with Sir Dan (Danilo Longasa), which made me cry, SFK has consistently supported me in my education. They have not only helped me until I finally graduated from college but also during the review period for my licensure exam. As a fatherless student, the monthly allowances I received from SFK have been a huge help in sustaining my studies. What touches me the most about the SFK family is that it isn't called 'family' for no reason. Our board members and staff call us by our names and show genuine interest not just in our academics but also in the situation of our families.
During the annual Christmas party, I always look forward to hearing the testimonies of SFK alumni. I am inspired by their experiences and have promised myself that someday, I will share my own success story. SFK has supported me every step of the way, and now I am living my dream.
I am Grace Lozada Sinfuego, a registered medical technologist, and a proud SFK alumna.
My name is Allen Joshua G. Rosario, an SFK scholar from 2009-2022. I was introduced to SFK Foundation by the help of my grade 5 adviser who saw my academic potentials. I remember the time when I received my first allowance; that was the first time I saw my mother publicly shed tears of joy. Receiving monthly school allowances was truly a blessing. Our poor family barely survived each day but through the help we received, I have come a long way and become a licensed Civil Engineer now. My journey with SFK was pretty fun. Ma'am Raquel would always task me to buy bread and biscuits in the morning of our monthly meetings. I still vividly remember the smile on Mr. Danilo's face when I told him that I want to be Civil Engineer. Without SFK, our family would have been still struggling for my education, and my dream of becoming an engineer may have easily vanished into oblivion. Thank you, SFK!!!
Although SFK is not an educational institution, calling previous beneficiaries "alumni" acknowledges their successful completion of a program level.
To support the Foundation, they have established a tight communication network with the primary objective of offering help in any possible manner.
SFK Christmas Party
The alumni have taken on the role of regular sponsors for various programs, with a significant contribution to the annual Gift-Giving and Christmas party since 2012.
The Foundation expresses its gratitude towards their voluntary contributions to benefit the new generations of scholars under the program.
As a child, when people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I couldn’t find answers. I didn’t really know what my plans are. However, one unexpected thing happened when I was in 5th grade, our Parish Priest delivered news that would eventually change everything – I was selected as a scholar for Studiefonds Filippijnse Kinderen, SFK.
I am very fortunate to have been blessed with an opportunity such as the SFK scholarship. It has helped me buy my school needs, help feed my siblings, but most importantly it has helped me ease my ride into what I am able to achieve now.
Now, I am currently working as an OSH Technician for the United States Navy, NSF-DG and soon will be applying for a Certified OSHT. I wanted to thank you all, the SFK family, board members, staff, and my co-scholars that have helped me reach where I am now.
I’m truly grateful and thankful for the chance that SFK has given me; for financing my entire academic years, for giving me a break in life, for opening doors, and for just giving me a better shot at life. The foundation’s contribution has helped me and my family significantly.
I am Mark Joseph V. Camo, an OSH Technician, a License Chemist, a Student, a proud SFK Scholar
