When you meet Wurtulla’s Malou Deakin, the first thing that strikes you is her enormous smile and warm, welcoming personality.
As she shows me the boxes full of goodies at the front of her house, she is brimming with excitement about their destination.
You see, this dynamic woman has been quietly transforming lives in her home country of the Philippines for decades. What began as her helping a few families has evolved into a program that now supports nearly 90 school students.
Guided by the generosity of her mother, Malou has made it her mission to provide food, clothes and education, creating opportunities for children who otherwise may never have had the chance, and breaking the cycle of poverty and offering hope.
“All those boxes that you saw at the front of my house, they are bound for the Philippines,” Malou says. “I’ve been doing this since the mid-1990s, when we used to live in a small town in New South Wales called Moree.
“I had very supportive friends at that time, especially when they found out that I was sending all the second-hand clothes, especially for children, reading materials, educational materials, storybooks and whatever was left over from the schools.”
Malou recalls contacting her children’s Catholic school in Moree to collect leftover pens, pencils and crayons. “I asked them if they could put it all aside for me, otherwise it would end up in the bin. Kids in the Philippines, they go to school with nothing.”
Over the years, she has extended this care, visiting the most rural parts of the Philippines to support communities that are often forgotten.
“My main mission is to provide a good education for the young ones. I believe that no child should be disadvantaged, especially when it comes to going to school. Education is a right, not a privilege.”
Living in Australia, Malou feels a deep responsibility to give back. “I witnessed firsthand how poverty is still taking away a child’s opportunity to grow and to shine. And it breaks my heart for those people who are talented, who are competent, who have the desire to better themselves, but due to financial struggles, they are disadvantaged.”
Her commitment is rooted in childhood memories. “When I was growing up, we used to have a small convenience store, and every now and then, beggars would come. My mum would allow them to have a cup of coffee or give them breakfast and give them all clothes.”
These early lessons in generosity shaped the woman Malou became.
Another memory has stayed with her all her life: “I vividly remember when I was 10 years old and I was invited to a party. And I saw this dish. I didn’t know what it was, but it was spaghetti. I tried it and said, ‘Oh my God, it’s so yummy’. I think I ate two servings at a time. I was so excited, telling my mum what I had discovered and how yummy this particular food was. And my mum didn’t say anything, no reaction whatsoever. And then when I was in college, I realised that my mum didn’t know what I was talking about because she herself had never seen spaghetti.
“I said to myself, ‘One day, when I am capable enough and financially enough to afford spaghetti, I will send spaghetti to all the schools’. Most of those boxes you saw, they are full of spaghetti pasta.”
Her tireless work and dedication caught the attention of local supporters, including Ross Harrison from the Caloundra Pacific Rotary Club, who now works alongside Malou to expand her reach.
“Malou’s belief, and mine too, is that one of the only ways out of the poverty cycle is education,” he says. Ross emphasises the impact this support has on children who otherwise might not attend school. “She’s taken many children from nothing right through to a university degree,” he says.
Together, Ross, Malou and her husband John provide comprehensive support for students, covering uniforms, school supplies and a small monthly allowance.
“Since we became partners with this kind of lifetime investment for the children, we decided to provide two sets of school uniforms, which cost about $30 each,” Malou says. “When the kids go to school, the most stressful part for the family is financial. Not wearing a uniform can mark a child as marginalised, which sometimes leads to bullying. That’s why we provide them with everything they need.”
She also teaches practical life skills, encouraging children to work and save money. “I managed to find some of them a summer job. They earn a little, about $3 a day. I told them if they can save 60 per cent of their wage, I’ll match it and put it in a joint bank account for their university education.
“This helps them focus on school rather than worrying about family financial pressures.”
Malou celebrates her students’ successes with pride. “Last year, many of them graduated from university. Two completed criminology, two in information technology, three became school teachers majoring in mathematics and English.”
Ross describes how Rotary’s work fits within a broader framework of community service.
“Rotary is the world’s largest community service organisation and our motto is ‘service above self’. There are 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide, about 35,000 clubs. Rotary International provides humanitarian support around the world in the areas of hygiene, sanitation and education.
Locally we provide a range of services, from fundraising for local charities, youth driving education and to international projects like this. We were looking for an international project, and we realised we had one right here with our very own club member Malou.”
“Rotary’s support has allowed both Malou’s vision and our club’s to grow. We have built classrooms, supported daycare centres and even established a radio-based education program for children who cannot attend school in the Philippines,” Ross says.
“The radio room is now operational and there are kids who can’t get to school, and even 50 young prisoners who are now receiving lessons.”
“Our next project is to build better teachers’ accommodation at a remote school, where teachers have to stay Monday to Friday due to the travel distance involved. The living conditions of the current accommodation is heartbreaking and we intend to fix that.
“We want a legacy project that continues long after we’re gone. Malou wants to leave a legacy for children, the poorest of the poor, giving them a home and an education to break the poverty cycle.
“These kids in the Philippines are the poorest of the poor. We don’t have that situation in Australia and we can make a difference.”
Despite challenges, both Malou and Ross remain steadfast. For Malou, every box, every school supply, every dollar spent is part of a bigger vision.
“I see the determination of the young ones. I can tell they are capable of becoming somebody and rising out of poverty,” she says.
Ross agrees: “What she is achieving is incredible. Malou has taken children from hardship and given them hope, education and the chance to change their lives and their communities.”
“A lot of people have a view of Rotary as a bunch of grey-haired old men, but it’s way more than that. It’s about giving back to the community, helping others less fortunate and fellowship, no matter what your age is.”
Malou and Caloundra Pacific Rotary Club welcome donations. Visit their website to find out how you can help.