IT TENDER
We are here to provide educational programmes to children, youth and families, helping them to become Christ-centered, responsible and self-sustaining.
OUR PASSION
We are committed to seeing children become educated and responsible leaders in their community.
OUR MISSION
To provide opportunities for quality education, mentoring and leadership development that transform at-risk children into agents of change.
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IT Tender was established in 2000 when Filipino couple John & Gela Basiwa saw the plight of children living on the streets addicted to sniffing solvents. They reached out by bringing food to the kids and building relationships. Over the years, more people came to help and they set up programmes aimed at bringing about total transformation, with a predominant emphasis on education.
In 2013, the Basiwas turned over leadership to John Coffey from Canada. He has been traveling to the Philippines to work with IT Tender since 2006.
John has a Bachelor of Honours Arts in Psychology and English from the University of Waterloo and a Bachelor in Elementary Education from the University of Toronto. Between short-term missions to the Philippines from 2006-2010, John volunteered in inner-city schools in Toronto teaching Kindergarten to Grade 6, he worked in group homes for adults with special needs, and he was an academic tutor and head counselor at a camp for children with special needs. In 2009 he committed to a one-year internship with International Teams and helped establish a daycare in a small community church. He returned to the Philippines in 2011 and studied the Tagalog language full-time to become fluent before serving in the various educational programs of IT Tender.
As the executive director, John leads the IT Tender team in tandem with the Filipino programme manager Jizza Malquisto. Jizza is the hands-on manager of each programme and is also a registered social worker. Each of the Filipino staff are passionate about empowering the poor through access to education, relevant skills training and mentoring.
Support IT Tender Today!
IT Tender works with us to help people discover their brighter future. Please consider giving a gift to support their ministry today!
Current Fundraising Projects
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October 2024 Update
It's official, we're taking a big leap forwards. We're taking possession of the building for our new center this month! This is because of the generosity of our wonderful donors. Thanks to your support, we have thus far raised $360,000 CAD of the total $470,000 CAD needed to both purchase and fully renovate the building. For our American supporters, that's $273,280 USD already donated or pledged towards the $350,000 USD target.
By God's grace, we've come this far. Now it's the home stretch towards our new home. In order to accomplish the renovations we are praying for, we need to step up one last time and give towards the new educational center of IT Tender. If we can hit our target, we can complete renovations by June 2025 and operate out of a new center complete with a fully furnished preschool room, ballet studio, computer lab, library, and even a modern hydroponic garden on the rooftop. -
Our sponsorship programme provides daily transportation to school, lunches and school supplies. Beyond this, the programme is holistic in offering families medical support, livelihood training and developmental programmes like annual family camps, field trips, counselling and more.
For just £1/day (£30/month) you can send a child to school and provide developmental programmes for the entire family. -
We believe that education, a community of support and leadership opportunities are the foundations of breaking the cycle of poverty.
We take a proactive and preventative approach by providing regular opportunities for families to be together in safe environments without the challenges of daily life.
Gifts to our general fund help us to cover expenses outside of our holistic child sponsorship programme and are always very welcome.