Kaisahang Buhay Foundation - History

Kaisahang Buhay Foundation (KBF) came into being in 1975 as a branch of Holt International Children’s Services, Inc. Holt was founded in 1955 by Harry and Bertha Holt in Eugene, Oregon, USA, as a child welfare organization whose mission is Christian inspired service – reaching out to different countries where children need help. Harry Holt institutionalized Holt’s vision “Every child deserves a permanent loving family of his/her own”.

In 1976, Holt International Children’s Services Philippines was reorganized as a Family and Child Services of the Philippines. The original Board of Trustees were Ms. Juana S. Silverio Chairperson, Judge Leonor-Ines Luciano, Prof. Josefina D. Pineda, Ms. Teresita L. Silva and Mr. Emmet K. Turner. Mr. Turner also served as the first Executive Director.

In a meeting of the Board on April 20, 1977, the name Kaisahang Buhay Foundation was adopted to give it a Filipino identity.

KBF became operational as an associate agency of Holt in the Philippines on December 10, 1977. In 1979, The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) licensed KBF as a social welfare agency and on December 12, 1983, was accredited as a Child Placing Agency. To date, it is the only Non-Government Organization in the Philippines implementing local adoption.

In 1977, when Mr. Turner had to go back to Holt’s General Headquarters, Ms. Ester Gajo took over the Executive Director position. Ms. Gloria Gonzalez Lim took over from Ms. Gajo as Executive Director in 1988.

All through these years, Ms. Minnie Dacanay served as the able Program Director until she was recruited by Holt’s main Headquarters in Eugene, Oregon, USA to serve as Country Director for the Philippines and later for Thailand, Hongkong and Vietnam.

After fourteen (14) fruitful and productive years, Ms. Gloria G. Lim retired on May 3, 1999. Mrs. Rosario B. dela Rosa became the 4th Executive Director of KBF in its almost 28 years of existence.

On February 11, 1984, KBF transferred to its present headquarters, which is fully owned by the Foundation, from the Cardinal Bldg., Pedro Gil St., Malate, Manila, which was rented.

In 1984, second only to DSWD, KBF started its Foster Care Service. This is inspired by KBF’s belief that foster care with its individualized care in a family environment is most beneficial and developmental for the child than institutional care.

1987 saw the birth of the KBF’s “Bahay ni Maria” a home for single mothers, which was housed in a rented residence in Montreal St., Cubao, Quezon City. In 1991, the home transferred to its permanent address in Project 4, Quezon City called Nazareth Home, which is owned by the Foundation.

KBF's Day Care Service also began in 1987 with a day care center housed in its Headquarters. In 1995, KBF transferred its Day Care Center in Barangay Escopa 3, Project 4, Quezon City. The first day care center was built from the donation of Les Amis des Enfants du Monde (AEM) and the Netherlands Intercountry Child Welfare Organization (NICWO).

To date, KBF has opened additional day care centers located in Barangay Escopa 2 – 1998; Barangay Milagrosa – 1999; another one for Barangay Escopa 3 – 2000; and Barangay Escopa 1 – 2002.

In 1988 KBF operated two cottages of the Boys Town Complex where 40 boys were supported with their board and lodging and sent to school. However, this was discontinued in 1996 due to financial constraint.

As a support service, the Family and Community Outreach Service started in 1999. Five (5) barangays in the blighted area in Quezon City were identified namely, Escopa 1,2,3,4 & Milagrosa. The Minimum Basic Needs survey was undertaken to establish the Community Profile as basis for services to be implemented. Also, during that year the first social work Community Organizer was hired.

Parents of our Day Care children and other disadvantaged parents are organized for effective parenting and value inculcation seminars, skills training and income generating projects.

Independent Living and Educational Assistance started in 2000. This was triggered when few foster children were not adopted and are growing up fast. These children have to be prepared for independent living.

To ensure that sustainability and self-reliance would be achieved, KBF formed a Fund Development Unit in April 2001. This unit is responsible in coming up with strategies on how to raise funds for the Foundation to ensure relevant and adequate social services