Reliving Hopes and Dreams with Kids for Kids

Kids will always be the future’s foundation. From dreaming and wandering around, children’s imagination offers a noble hope for the grown-ups the perfectly pictured tomorrow — if adults are willing to truly listen and understand.

In the current world, where people are easily drawn to despair and negativities, it is unlikely for someone to dream of raising their own child. Other than that, the country’s economic instability, environment concerns, and every person’s uncertainty only add to these reasons.

And honestly, we cannot (and should not) blame them for feeling this way.

A child born should be gently raised with love and comfort. Every child should be nourished without holding back in displaying its own persona. Basic rights should never be treated as privileges reserved for a few. 

Fortunately, there is Kids for Kids, a youth-led organization that considers that no kid should be left behind.

Kids For Kids Ph

Established in 2015, Kids for Kids is a movement organization led by the youth. It is an organization that helps nourish every child’s talent, and helps them express and truly grow with happiness, hope, and love.

For 10 years, Kids for Kids has established community building projects and campaigns that focus on children’s welfare, climate action, and culture. At the heart of their work is a belief that creativity and imagination are powerful tools for meaningful change.

Behind the infamous organization lies not just an inspiring story, but a legacy of creative movement focus on social responsibility. They are Tasha and Bella Tanjutco, the youth who were once little girls, and started the organization.

The Tanjutco Sisters

While most people believe in the importance of healing their inner child, two purpose-driven women went beyond. Natasha Tanjutco (Tasha) and Isabella Tanjutco (Bella) founded Kids for Kids in 2015 at just 15 and 13 years old. Tasha and Bella Tanjutco grew up in a family of philanthropists and are key branches of Mañosa-Tanjutco legacy. 

Denise Mañosa, matriarch of the family, instilled her virtuous spirit to her daughter, Bambi Mañosa-Tanjutco, who happened to do the same to her daughters Tasha and Bella. This legacy shows their societal impact powered with creative solutions became an heirloom passed down to generations.

At just nine and eleven years old, they assisted their mother in art therapy sessions for girls and women. Through these experiences, they became aware of their privilege and learned the importance of sharing it — especially with children.  Witnessing the country’s social disparities shaped their desire to lead a movement of their own. This realization eventually led to the creation of Kids for Kids. 

This passed down legacy of love for children backed with creative solutions has always been natural for Tasha and Bella. For years, Kids for Kids spearheaded projects and campaigns that are significant to every community — ones that are truly beneficial to society.

Projects and Campaigns

Kids for Kids headed fundraising projects and campaigns anchored to the youth’s self, social and environmental awareness. Their first fundraiser in 2015 was Takbo: Race to Raise. A run for a cause event for the children of Samar attended by over 600 youth.

The organization also has projects awaited per year. These projects include Kamalayan, an art and music festival that caters to issues and matters. And Habilin, a podcast project-turned-annual-conference dedicated to educating the youth as soon-to-be game changers.

Other fundraisers include Retaso and Kapuluan ng Kabataan, clothings out of textile wastes, and a collection of projects. Respectively designed as solutions for sustainability, culture, climate, and children’s rights.

For campaigns, Kids for Kids launched various movements focused on respective matters, mainly in children, to extend help and voice in raising awareness. It includes Kakampi Club, campaign to prevention of online sexual exploitation of children. It also includes #BakesChange, campaign focuses on children and food security.

Other campaigns are focused on environmental awareness such as #Vittera, a campaign and conversations on conservations, and #PeopleAndPlanetPromise,  a movement for concrete actions on climate crisis and plastic problems.

Revitalizing Hopes and Dreams

Kids for Kids’ campaigns and projects are highly focused on things that require immediate action. 

This organization made a lasting impact that is surely beneficial not just for children today but also tomorrow. Until now, they remain to use their platforms in matters that arise, and conduct donation drives for those in need.

Showing the youth the culture and spirituality as a source of hope for creative solutions foster self-expression, and reimagine Filipino tradition.

It doesn’t take much to give and help everyone, not when you carry the privilege of doing so. Know your rights and be one of the strong-willed youths who speak up when it matters. Just like what Kids for Kids believes in: “extraordinary things are possible when we empower our youth to power our nation.”