About the Bigfoot Asia Pacific Foundation
History
Established in 2002, Bigfoot Asia Pacific Foundation Inc. was formed to narrow the digital gap and provide access to information technology to public school children in the Philippines. Recognizing the pivotal role education plays in creating opportunities for a better future for children and the community at large, founder Michael Gleissner has donated a substantial amount of his personal funds to help advance the education of disadvantaged children through the creation of the foundation.
The Bigfoot Asia Pacific Foundation’s first project was building the Cotcoton Youth Center in Cotcoton, Dumanjug, Cebu to serve as a supplementary learning center for students. The center provided computer access to students, and also included a medical clinic where the community enjoyed free access to medicines, medical care and live skills training.
Following the creation of the Cotcoton Youth Center, the foundation collaborated with the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 7 Office to streamline its activities to better serve the educational needs of the community. Since 2008, the foundation has invested 1 million dollars in more than 30 schools. This has benefited hundreds of teachers and thousands of students who otherwise would not have access to computers and basic IT knowledge learning resources.
The Bigfoot Asia Pacific Foundation is dedicated to fulfilling the vision of its founder and is fueled by the spirit of volunteerism. It continues to undertake educational as well as socio-civic and humanitarian outreach projects.
Vision
The Bigfoot Asia Foundation is dedicated to providing equal access to high-quality educational resources for all Filipino children, regardless of social status.
Mission
The Bigfoot Asia Pacific Foundation works within communities to support and provide social and educational opportunities, including computer education in the rural baranggays, English language proficiency, development of responsible leaders, and socio-civic projects in partnership with other non-government organizations and/or local government units.
Our commitment is to provide IT education and to make new technologies accessible to underprivileged public school children in the Philippines.
Goals
- Build and support information technology learning centers in rural areas for public school children
- Support programs for I.T. education of public school teachers
- Strengthen English language skills among public school children
- Extend assistance to marginalized sectors in society such as orphanages, schools for the disabled and special children
- Help seminarians achieve their vocational goals
- Assist children of prisoners pursue secondary eductation
- Provide immediate funding to local government units for critical projects
- Promote initiatives for good governance and accountable stewardship
- Support community development programs and services