Four days in the field in Cebu were enough to once again measure the impact of Enfants d’Asie’s actions in the Philippines. This mission, carried out with the support and continued commitment of Charlotte de Turckheim, took place 20 years after she helped open Enfants d’Asie’s office in the Philippines.

Cebu: A Contrasting Urban Development

Since her last visit, the city of Cebu has undergone significant change. Urban development is clearly visible: new constructions, increased road traffic, and a noticeable improvement in cleanliness.

But this modernization coexists with a harsher reality. Two recent typhoons and an earthquake caused significant damage, particularly in the most vulnerable areas.

In the Carbon slum: social emergency and resilience

During their visit to the Carbon slum, Charlotte and her husband Zaman were able to observe the still-visible damage: many roofs torn off by the typhoons have yet to be repaired.

Although the neighborhood now seems a little less crowded, scenes of idleness persist, with concerning situations involving alcohol, gambling, and prostitution affecting both adolescents and adults. The Enfants d’Asie day care center visited by Charlotte plays a crucial role in protecting young children from the dangers of the streets.

Northern Programs: Education Put to the Test

In the northern part of the country, the consequences of the recent earthquake remain severe: over 200 deaths, many high schools damaged and sometimes completely unusable.

Due to the lack of suitable infrastructure, students continue their studies remotely—online or on paper—echoing the conditions experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Enfants d’Asie deployed a large-scale educational continuity program for confined students.

The mission also allowed attendance at a session of the EY program, led by Enfants d’Asie staff and funded by World Wide Web Women, which raises awareness among Filipino girls about science, mathematics, technology, and computer science.

A Reunion Evening Filled with Hope

A highlight of the mission, a reunion evening brought together about thirty young women who had previously benefited from support, originally provided during Charlotte de Turckheim’s filming.

Sponsored by the actress or by Enfants d’Asie, several of them had also benefited from a scholarship program launched in 2005 and funded notably by the ELLE and Air France Foundations.

The results are striking: over 90% of these former beneficiaries from very disadvantaged backgrounds now hold skilled positions (accountants, managers, teachers, entrepreneurs).

The presence of Deena Pages, former honorary president and business leader, marked the evening.

A Mission That Confirms the Impact of Enfants d’Asie

This mission in Cebu confirmed to Charlotte de Turckheim the lasting impact of Enfants d’Asie’s programs on children’s education and family support, and inspired her to fully reinvest in building the future of young Filipino girls.

Article written by Laurence Villeneuve, ambassador of Enfants d’Asie.