Children of the Dump: Transforming Young Lives Through Education in Manila

Amidst the stench and sweltering heat of Manila’s rubbish dumps, hope is rising—one child at a time.

For nearly 50 years, Children of the Dump has been working to break the cycle of poverty for families living around Payatas and San Isidro—the city’s most notorious landfill areas. Here, hundreds of families survive by scavenging through waste to find recyclable materials or scraps of food. It’s dangerous, dirty work, and the meagre income barely stretches to one basic meal a day.

But education changes everything.

Founded in 1975, Children of the Dump supports local Filipino-led projects that provide education, shelter, and a future for vulnerable children living near the dumpsites. The charity works in partnership with ASCF (Asian Student Christian Foundation), a licensed organisation in the Philippines that selects the children, manages the day-to-day running of projects, and builds vital trust within the community.

With a dedicated team of fully trained Filipino teachers and social workers, the charity ensures children are not only educated but also supported emotionally and socially equipping them for long-term success.

Despite being a small UK-based charity, Children of the Dump proudly sends at least 80% of donations directly to the projects in the Philippines, with the remainder covering essential admin and governance costs. The charity is run by an experienced Board of Trustees and is registered with the UK Charity Commission (CIO No. 1198301). Full financial transparency is available via their website.

The results speak for themselves. Many children supported by Children of the Dump have gone on to become nurses, social workers, and teachers—contributing back to their communities and rewriting the story of their childhood.

The Three Key Projects

Cashew Early Years School
Cashew School provides free education for children aged 4 to 6—often their first experience of structured learning. With small class sizes and trained teachers, children develop basic literacy and numeracy skills alongside vital confidence and self-belief.

£20 per month sponsors a child at Cashew for up to two years.

Grapevine Outreach Programme
This programme enables children to attend local schools by covering essentials like uniforms, materials, and transport. For many families, this modest support is the difference between staying in the cycle of poverty or stepping out of it.

£30 per month covers full sponsorship for a Grapevine student.

Mango Tree House
For children who have no safe place to live, Mango Tree House offers a secure, loving home and access to full-time education. It’s more than a shelter—it’s a family, where children grow up surrounded by care, stability, and opportunity.

£50 per month provides residential sponsorship for a Mango Tree House child.

Be Part of the Story
Every donation, every sponsor, and every shared story helps build brighter futures. Whether it’s a regular gift, a one-off donation, or supporting the charity’s work on social media, you can help transform a child’s life.

Donate Today

📧 office@childrenofthedump.org.uk
📞 0300 102 4509
📮 Children of the Dump, High Cross Church, Knoll Road, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 3SY
💳 Also available via Facebook, PayPal, or cheque, visit 🌐 www.childrenofthedump.org.uk