Angella’s Birthday Wish:
Creating Brighter Futures for Children Through Literacy
"As a Filipino immigrant and now entrepreneur, so much of who I am and the values I hold have been shaped by lived experience. From the life I could have had in the Philippines to the life I was privileged to build through the opportunities I was given in Canada, my journey has deeply informed how I navigate the world. Each time I return to the Philippines, I am reminded not only of the realities of poverty, but also of the immense beauty of the land, the paradise it holds, and the resilience and abundance that live at the heart of the Filipino people.
Being born in the Philippines and growing up in Scarborough instilled in me values of generosity, creativity, and a deep belief that community can change lives. I have also come to learn that no matter how far you travel from where you began, you are always connected to home. With that connection comes a responsibility to uplift others and help create more opportunities for those who follow.
As I have built my own businesses centered on bringing people together through events, storytelling, and shared experiences, I have become increasingly aware of how essential access to education, opportunity, and support are in providing people with a fair foundation to build a better future for themselves.
This birthday, instead of gifts, I wanted to honour my roots and channel generosity toward long-term, sustainable impact. "The World Bank reports that 91% of Filipino children aged 10 struggle to read simple text, a rate that has been worsened by the pandemic." The donations raised will support Gawad Kalinga’s READ Program, which addresses learning poverty by providing children with foundational reading and comprehension skills. I deeply believe education can change the course of a life. In this small but meaningful way, I hope to give back to the place and people that continue to inspire me"
- Angella Fajardo, January 24
