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Mission of Love was started in 1992 as a philanthropic organisation in Malta to help extend love in heart and deed to those in need. The founders are Patrick and Maria O'Cock and Pam Muscat (formerly Pam Camilleri). Dave and Judy Tomlinson got on board soon after. We have been working with the Ati tribe, the indigenous people of the Philippines since 1993 when we started a day care centre and found sponsors (mostly Maltese people) to see the Ati children through their education and help shape their futures.

I (Patrick) first encountered the Atis in 1986 and helped them to the best of my ability. It was during that time that I grew a love for these shy, timid and ever so humble people. I really feel like I learned a lot from them and their generous hospitality with the little they had. Many were dying of TB and other diseases, often easily curable if they had some health care. I have seen their babies die from infections that started with a little scratch or a mosquito bite.

We sought to improve their lives through education for the children, some food and clothing, helping them have homes that they could not be evicted from and we wish to help them to be self-sufficient. The Mission of Love school is now well established and run by Marissa Familara, with about 200 kids. The Ati kids get free tuition, some school provisions and snacks.

At this stage we have secured a plot of land on which we are building 8 5×4 metre homes for 8 families. This project will probably take about 10 months to complete, possibly more. We have enough funds for about 3-4 homes and will need to raise the rest in the coming months. If you are interested in helping, please contact me (Patrick) at patricko@maltanet.net . We are estimating about Lm900 per home (US $ 2,800) for a basic home with a toilet, tap and sink (these are considered luxuries). The Atis themselves are building these for a small salary from Mission of Love (as they need to work to eat). Dave is on site to assist and oversee the work.

In the future, we also hope to purchase more land, build more homes and change more lives. We have seen the difference that a little love and care can make.