IF THERE is one business that understands the heart of migrant workers, it is Western Union.

With more than 6,300 agent outlets throughout the Philippines and over 334,000 locations in over 200 countries and territories worldwide, the company acts as a bridge to millions of overseas workers and their families on a regular basis.

Yet, despite its bustling global business operations, Western Union does strive to make a difference in the lives of the little people it serves, more than just by providing for basic money transfer services.

Recently, Patricia Zamora-Riingen took time off from her demanding schedule to spend a quiet morning with 12 children of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taguig City.

Patricia is the senior vice president of The Western Union Company for the Pacific and Indochina; travel is a big word that comes with her responsibility, looking after all of the company?s business functions ? which include marketing, sales, operations and finance ? in the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

The intimate few hours spent with the children, all eager students at Mano Amiga Academy, who started this month their second year of early childhood education, were enough to wipe away the pressure strains that come with Patricia?s work, including having to leave for brief periods of time her three children and husband Leonardo.

Educational assistance

There was an animated return of affection from the 12 children who were chosen by Western Union, with the help of the Overseas Workers? Welfare Administration, from a poor informal settlers? community in Western Bicutan in Taguig City for educational assistance.

Each child had been given a ?scholarship? covering tuition, educational and classroom materials for three years of preschool education at Mano Amiga Academy, a school run by Altius Foundation, an international nongovernmental organization founded by Legionaries of Christ.

?OFWs live and work overseas to build a better future for their families. A top priority for them is education for their children,? says Patricia. ?Western Union is committed to giving back and enhancing the lives of local communities,? she adds.

The cost of the education of the selected OFW children was made possible through a combined grant of $50,000 from Petnet Inc., the largest single agent network of Western Union locations in the Philippines, and The Western Union Foundation, which facilitates Western Union?s charitable programs worldwide.

Since the grant covers for 14 children?s complete early childhood education, two more children will be chosen for this scholarship program within the school year.

Understanding needs

Petnet president and CEO Lorenzo Ocampo accompanied Patricia during the school visit, and spent time with the school children to better understand the migrant families? needs.

?This is the second year that Petnet has participated in the Western Union Foundation?s Agent Giving Circles program, which concentrates on helping migrant workers and their families ? who often suffer from separation,? according to Lorenzo.

Agent Giving Circles is a program of Western Union Foundation that compels it to match donations from its agents.

?With Agent Giving Circles, our donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar and the effect for local communities will hence be doubled. I am very pleased to be part of this and I look forward to participating in more of these community programs together with the Western Union Foundation in the years to come,? says Lorenzo.

In addition to spending time with the children, Patricia also handed over to Mano Amiga a computer with broadband connection, making it possible for families of OFWs to communicate with their kin abroad.

Mano Amiga opened its first school in the Philippines last year, targeting the community in Taguig City where many families live in poverty and are unable to provide their children with quality education. Mano Amiga implements an international quality early childhood education curriculum that focuses on developing cognitive skills and on instilling a lifelong love for learning and the truth.

The Mano Amiga Scholarship Program is one of the many initiatives under Western Union?s five-year, $50-million signature program ?Our World, Our Family? which is designed to help migrant workers and families stay connected, overcome barriers and realize their dreams.

?Through Mano Amiga?s program, it is our hope that this will instill a lifelong love for learning and the truth, and the beginning of a brighter future for the next generation. In uncertain economic times, we also hope the scholarships have helped alleviate OFWs? financial burdens,? says Patricia.

Funding for financial literacy and life skills plus the provision of educational grants for families of migrant Filipino worker are among a range of programs that helped The Western Union Company to win one of the world?s most prestigious awards in corporate philanthropy.

Recognition

The Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP), the only international forum of corporate CEOs focused exclusively on corporate philanthropy, recognized Western Union for its Our World, Our Family program to improve the lives of migrant workers at every rung of the financial ladder through education and global economic opportunity initiatives.

Since its inception in 2007, Western Union?s Our World, Our Family program logged more than 2,000 employee volunteer hours of service, launched 300 new migrant businesses, engaged 1,800 NGOs in 100 countries, distributed 110,000 learning packs that help migrants adjust to their new communities, allocated more than $300,000 for scholarships, and helped diaspora groups in the United States raise more than $500,000. In addition, more than $4.5 million has been generated in employee and agent gifts.