It all started with one simple vision - the vision of reaching out to children in need through the universal language of music. Music that takes children's dreams to heights.Music that ushers hope and empowers them to a brighter future. Music that heals and transforms their sorrows and hurts into joys and forgiveness. Because We Care Foundation is the realization of such dreams and hopes.
　Created on the conviction
that we must take the initiative to make a difference in the lives of
those in need, especially the children, the foundation aims to use music
as the key channel to take meaningful actions and programs and increase
public awareness on the poor children's plight.
To serve this end, the
foundation has held four charity concerts since its inception in 2001.
Proceeds have gone to various centers and organizations working for
children in the Japan and the Philippines.
The foundation was created
by Charito, a Filipino jazz singer based in Tokyo, and her friends.
Drawing many of her students into taking part in these charity concerts,
Charito has tried to live up to the spirit of an originally composed
song, "A Moment of Change" which conveys the message to people
not to let their hearts "cease to beat for love."
The
first concert "Fruits of the Spirit Charity Concert" was a
perfect manifestation of such hearts that did not "cease to beat
for love." Held at the Franciscan Chapel Center in Tokyo's Roppongi
district on May 18, 2001, the show was a reverberating success. Its beneficiary was the children of the Elsie Gaches Village which takes
care of orphaned and disabled children. Proceeds were used to purchasing
food, medicine, clothing and other items.
The
same year, in December, "A Christmas Gift 2001" was held.
Beneficiaries were Kaingin Kindergarten School for street children,
Ephpheta Foundation for Blind. Inc, a rehabilitation facility for visually
impaired in Philippines, Wakakusa Ryou and Fukudenkai Tokyo Honin children's
institute in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward.
A
second charity concert during the Christmas season was held in December
the next year with "A Christmas Gift 2002", the venue shifting
to a bigger place at Tennozu Sphere Annex. Proceeds went to Ephpheta
Foundation for the Blind/Kaingin Kindergarten School in Philippines
and the Church Center which was under construction in Puerto Galera,
Mindoro.
By
then, the charity concert for December had become an annual fixture
in the foundation's program. On Dec. 2, 2003, the show returned to its
original performance site -- the small, homey Franciscan Chapel Center.
The beneficiaries here were the Cancer Warriors Foundation and the Little
Angels Orphanage.
To
give a feel of the holy, solemn Church atmosphere, Charito has focused
on performing acoustic inspirational and spiritual songs. Performers
had since been a mix of professional and amateur singers, all bonded
in a shared concern and commitment to doing something for the children.
Of course, given that the concert is for the children, the show has
had its sweet moments with performances by a children's choir.
So
much work, hardly remuneration.
But
in the faces of Charito, her friends and the children who have sung
and gave themselves to this cause are the faces of hope, love and inspiration.
And
the reason is but simple...because they have chosen to care.
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