Skip to main content
Tulong Initiative
Our Work

Initiative Projects

From humanitarian relief to worker education, these are the projects and programs through which Tulong Initiative stands with Filipino workers and vulnerable communities — as documented in our 2017–Present Activity Report.

Special & upcoming projects

Building solidarity beyond the courtroom

Ongoing

Shoebox Initiative

Give hope. Fill a shoebox.

A flagship humanitarian project that symbolizes year-round commitment to solidarity and relief, combining material aid with advocacy and psychosocial support.

Objective
Gather 365 shoeboxes — one for each day of the year — to be distributed to vulnerable groups in need nationwide.
Who it serves
Marginalized communities, displaced workers, informal-sector families, repatriated OFWs, and other vulnerable sectors — elderly, Indigenous Peoples, rural women, youth, children rescued from child labor, and persons with disabilities.
Shoebox Initiative campaign poster — Stand with workers
Shoebox Initiative campaign poster — Give hope, fill a shoebox
Shoebox Initiative campaign poster — Give hope, fill a shoebox
Upcoming

Camp Kawayan Initiative

A bamboo-based path to rural resilience.

Drawing inspiration from the traditional Filipino song Bahay-Kubo, Camp Kawayan is a comprehensive four-year program fostering integrated rural development — revitalizing the iconic bahay-kubo as a cornerstone for community-owned enterprises, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship.

Objective
To establish thriving rural communities where cultural heritage, economic prosperity, and environmental stewardship are interwoven through a sustainable bamboo-based economy.
Who it serves
Individuals and families including rural men and women, youth, persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, solo parents, and Indigenous Peoples.

In development — launching soon as Tulong expands its reach and impact.

Upcoming

SEA Talk — Podcast Initiative

The stories behind the headlines.

A podcast series that decodes the complex and often serious issues affecting Southeast Asia as reported by the media, presenting them in a format that is easy, fun, and understandable for all ages.

Objective
To serve Southeast Asian issues with a side of humor, warmth, and honest conversation — a safe space where difficult topics are discussed openly and listeners walk away feeling informed, inspired, and connected.
Partners
Developed with partners North and South Initiative (Malaysia), ThinkFi (India), the Task Force on ASEAN Migrant Workers, and IMCS.
Explore the SEA Talk concept
SEA Talk podcast launch poster — The Stories Behind the Headlines
Programs in action

The everyday work behind the mission

Alongside our flagship projects, Tulong sustains ongoing programs that reach workers wherever the dispute — or the need — finds them.

01

Labor Rights Education

Labor rights orientations and court-procedure briefings help workers understand their substantive rights under the Labor Code, the steps in filing complaints and attending hearings, and enforcement and post-decision processes.

Workers gathered for a Tulong labor rights orientation
Group of workers at a Tulong court-procedure briefing
02

Community Outreach

Operating for years without a physical office, Tulong reached workers through mobile engagement, community meet-ups, and rented venues — using text messaging, social media, and worker referrals to bring legal aid within reach.

Tulong community meet-up during the pandemic
Workers gathered at a Tulong community outreach event
03

Repatriation Assistance

Since late 2025, Tulong expanded beyond case management to repatriation — facilitating the return of drivers from Saudi Arabia, assisting former OFWs from Kuwait with money claims dating back to 2018, and coordinating with government agencies, embassies, and partner organizations.

Repatriated workers meeting at the Tulong Initiative office
Tulong team assisting former OFWs with money claims
04

Training & Capacity Building

In partnership with Lighthouse Manila, Tulong runs training programs for workers and advocates with a special focus on Women in Construction — addressing gender-specific challenges — alongside pre-departure orientation, reintegration support, and financial literacy.

Women in Construction training session with Lighthouse Manila
05

Worker-Led Governance

Tulong's incorporators are former workers who filed cases through Tulong and won their labor disputes — an organization led by people with lived experience of labor injustice, embodying its mission from beneficiaries to advocates.

Former workers who now lead the Tulong Initiative

Want to help fill a shoebox?

The Shoebox Initiative gathers 365 boxes of small gifts, essentials, and love for vulnerable individuals across the Philippines. Reach out to learn how to donate or volunteer.

Get involved

Need someone in your corner?

Fight for your rights — with Tulong beside you.

The first step is a free, confidential consultation. Tell us what happened, and we'll tell you where you stand.

Start a free consultation02-8883-7103