By Victoria Rialp | Monitoring Trustee
As a strong advocate for women and girls, Isabel Aleta heads the Project Committee of the United Nations Women’s Guild (UNWG) in New York. Since 2011 she has spearheaded the Guild’s modest annual donations to Tahanan Sta. Luisa, asserting that “ Tahanan’s mission, vision and objectives are in line with UNWG’s support to children in vulnerable situations".
Since then, the UN Women’s Guild has partially supported the basic education needs of the girls – those enrolled in public schools as well as those in alternative learning systems. In 2015, the UNWG gave a grant of $10,000 to establish a Sewing Center in Tahanan, which has since successfully trained the girls in sewing various items (e.g,their uniforms as well as tote bags and bed linens) and which has generated some income for Tahanan and the girls. In 2023, another UNWG grant of $10,000 allowed Tahanan to install a smoke detection/ fire alarm system which was needed for its license renewal by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. This triggered another donor’s contribution of $10,000 to complete the fire prevention system with an indoor water sprinkler system required by the local bureau of fire protection and safety.
Outside of her role as projects chairperson in UNWG, Isabel Aleta also supports Tahanan Sta. Luisa in her personal capacity. In 2020, she donated an upright piano for the girls’ musical activities. In 2024, she provided 300 pieces of fabric material which the girls artistically painted by hand to make reversible tote bags which they could sell – learning basic financial management in the process.
During her project assessment visits, Isabel makes sure she spends time to happily interact with the girls. After her January 2026 visit, Isabel reported to the UN Women’s Guild that with the new Executive Director, Joy Tabasaores, who took over two years ago, she noted significant positive changes. She pointed out the new director’s successful networking and fundraising initiatives. More importantly, she reported that “The girls take turns in doing household chores, under supervision.They are feeling more relaxed with the current Director, who is young, but dedicated and passionate about her work. It was evident that the girls have good camaraderie towards one another; they respect and feel very comfortable with the Director. There have been no instances of depression lately, where a girl might try to seriously hurt herself.”
In truth, the staff and girls of Tahanan Sta. Luisa always appreciate Isabel Aleta’s visits, and they regard her as a caring friend, steadfast supporter, and a strong advocate for the best interests of women and girls.
By Victoria Rialp | Monitoring Trustee
By Victoria Rialp | Monitoring Trustee
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