Edwin Santiago wanted to continue his parents’ humanitarian efforts and has established Alpha Sierra Foundation in 2005. The foundation, since its inception, have been involved in many anonymous acts of kindness in Asia and the North America.

Alpha Sierra Foundation has delivered school supplies, scholarship, clothes and toys to orphanages. It has also provided food, clothing and shelter to the needy. It has given medical and financial assistance to people stricken with life threatening diseases and have helped needy families with funeral costs. Its work with the homeless and poor villages, home for the aged, and individual grants have been a success and continue to make an impact. There’s still more work to be done. To date, this library project is the foundation’s biggest and most ambitious project. We hope you can be a part of this endeavor.

This project is in partnership with CIRE Foundation in seeing the completion of this worthy project. The CIRE Foundation seeks to enhance the lives of all people through the creation of media and programs designed to inform, educate and enlighten the public about issues of social concern.

The CIRE Foundation strives to make a difference in people's lives. This is accomplished through the production of documentaries and the building of programs that will have a direct impact in local communities.

CIRE's initial project was the production of the award winning documentary, OUT in the Cold, which tackles the issue of homeless gay youth on the streets of America. OUT in the Cold examines the lives of youth who have been emotionally and/or physically abandoned by their families, friends and society because of their orientation. The goal of the documentary is to dispel the preconceived notions of youth homelessness as it presents the stories of these youth as told by their friends, counselors, families and with their own voice. The presentation was accompanied by a photo exhibit that CIRE commissioned to capture the reality of life on the streets, and was featured in the Capital Building Rotunda in Sacramento.

Currently the Foundation is working on an updated follow up focused on the current state of youth homelessness. Project Believe is a new documentary and educational program designed to raise awareness and create proactive solutions to preventing the problems of youth on the streets.

The CIRE Foundation is dedicated to quality and excellence in the successful execution of its educational and enlightenment programs.

About Us

101 Heroes is a partnership of caring individuals from all walks of life for whom literacy is in an inherent right for all. It is a sad reality that in many charitable organizations, only a portion of your donation actually reaches the charitable cause. However, 101 Heroes is an all-volunteer organization, and 100% of your donation will go towards the library. We are a 501 (c) 3 organization and all marketing, travel, design and advertising are underwritten by Alpha Sierra Foundation.

Mission

By providing each and every student their own books, 101 Heroes will unlock the door to the advantages that literacy provides; information, education, opportunity, jobs, health and prosperity.

Vision

Because there is a strong correlation between illiteracy and poverty, providing books and other learning resources will help to bridge the gap between the advantaged and disadvantaged in the poorer, rural villages of the Philippines. With education and access to information, we can empower at-risk children.

Learning about the needs of the students

It's often difficult for most of us to understand the true scale of extreme poverty. Imagine yourself being the homeless child who does not have the resources to obtain books, yet has such a desire to learn that they walk nearly 4 miles to school with the dream of a better life. Most of the children live in houses made of plywood and cardboard, with no running water, or toilets. Water is rationed in select areas of the village and they have to get up very early in the morning to avoid the long lines. The parents are hard working, yet on a salary of $50-$100 per month, this is barely enough to sustain a family. Some children as young as 10 years old work to help support the family.

How literacy changes lives

Children with literacy problems typically come from poor families, have no books at home, and their parents either lack the skill themselves or fail to realize the importance of reading to their children. Children who lack early exposure to reading tend to suffer from low self-esteem, struggle academically, and are at much higher risk of substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and delinquency. Adults who can't read earn lower wages, are more likely to be unemployed, and often depend on social services throughout their lives. Parents living in poverty are more likely to have children with reading and language deficits.

Why should you get Involved?

By providing the children with the tools and technology that lead to literacy, we can break this cycle of poverty. While many of us are experiencing tough times as a result of the global economic crisis, we still have a responsibility to invest in addressing the inequities in the world. We have a responsibility to help others with opportunities which can improve their lives. Now, more than ever, is the time to increase your investment in philanthropy. Your donation is not the end of your involvement. You will become a part of the process. 101 Heroes will update you on the progress of the project; not only construction and donations … we’ll also share the successes of the children who have overcome obstacles thanks to your generosity.

There is a need for this project in so many places. We have picked a school in Bulacan Philippines based on the size of the student population, economic status of the families, available land the school's ability to sustain the program we have in place.

This photo shows the exact location where the library will be built. The size of the library is 21 feet x 54 feet (1,200 square feet including the foyer).

There are 3700+ kids that will benefit from the library aged 6-12 ... some of them work during the day to help out with the family. Their eagerness to learn is amazing.

The library will bring learning to a new level-- it will be the only public elementary school in the Philippines that will make computers accessible to students. The library will also have a room with a full screen projector/tv so that they can watch documentaries and learning programs.