A Lasting Legacy

Founder Amelia S. Hernandez dedicated her life to helping children in her native Philippines. A high school teacher at her retirement in 1995, Amelia understood that education is the key to lifting children and their families out of poverty.

Starting in 2000, Tita Mely, as she was known to the children she helped, worked tirelessly to provide educational opportunities to the children of Payatas. In that first year, she helped find sponsors for 12 students and worked with the KapatidKita MahalKita Foundation, an NGO that administers an educational program in the community of Payatas. Along with her husband of nearly 60 years, Diosdado, she continued her grassroots efforts for the next 12 years. In 2012, her daughter, Imelda (Erni) convinced her that incorporating as a non-profit charitable organization and getting approval for a 501(c)(3) status would allow Amelia to reach more donors and grow the program.

Soon, thereafter, Philippines Humanitarian (PH) was formed; and today, we are helping around 250 students reach their goal of escaping the cycle of poverty.

Amelia was also a renowned writer who won many awards and recognition for her short stories, legends, and poetry. She and her husband raised 7 children and enjoyed their 14 grandchildren. She passed away on November 2014 at the age of 83. Beloved husband and father, Diosdado, passed in July 2019, 1 week before his 89th birthday. Their brood of great grandchildren continues to grow after their passing — 13 and counting.

We proudly continue the humanitarian work that Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez started, providing opportunities for the indigent children of the Philippines to get an education and thrive.