The Kaibigan Ermita Outreach Foundation, Inc. (KEOFI) commenced operations in 1986 with 35 street children as direct beneficiaries in the area of Ermita, a notorious red light district of Metro Manila. For many years, Kaibigan strove to make a difference in the lives of the street kids in Manila. In the year 1990s, an essentially child-centered approach has evolved and was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a non-stock non-profit organization on September 6, 1990 by a group of incorporators who bonded together to facilitate development and protection of disadvantaged children. After two decades in development work, Kaibigan undertook a major and comprehensive strategic planning exercise, involving the Board, management, staff, and mothers from the community to look closely and review its past experiences. Today, KEOFI programs are now evolved and has impacted massively on the lives of thousands of urban poor who have directly benefitted from its programs. It is a social development and welfare organization. KEOFI is located at 2551 Rubi St., San Andres Bukid, Manila.
Its purposes, among others, are “to support and provide opportunities for urban poor children at-risk and their parents in Manila through delivery of development services that promote full participation towards empowerment and productivity; and to equip children and parents with proper knowledge and appropriate skills to address individual, family and community needs and to act on social issues that affect their lives through their full participation and partnership with GOs, NGOs and private sectors. The Foundation’s programs now focused on the following areas: 1) Children’s Development Program (CDP) includes Health, Education and Capacitation; 2) Community Organizing Program (COP) includes Child Protection, Poverty Alleviation and DRRM; and 3) Kaibigan Child Care Center. Geographical scope of programs: Manila (District 5-Baseco, San Andres Bukid, Malate, Sta. Ana, Ermita).