Our Story
Why Little Hearts Mission Exists
Little Hearts Mission began with a simple but powerful belief: every child, regardless of where they are born, deserves the opportunity to thrive.
After years of working alongside vulnerable communities both in Australia and overseas, our founder, Richard Garlick, witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by children living in poverty, families struggling to access education, and communities lacking the resources needed to build sustainable futures.
While emergency aid provides immediate relief, Richard recognised that true and lasting change comes from creating opportunities rather than dependency. This vision became the foundation of Little Hearts Mission.
Established in Australia, Little Hearts Mission was created to partner with local
communities—not to lead them, but to walk beside them. We believe the people within each community understand their own needs best. Our role is to provide support, resources, knowledge, and partnerships that help communities develop practical, long-term solutions.
Today, our work extends across Australia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Tanzania, supporting projects that improve education, strengthen livelihoods, promote community wellbeing, and create opportunities for vulnerable children and families.
Every project reflects our commitment to building independence, restoring hope, and creating a future where every child has the opportunity to succeed.
As we continue to grow, our vision remains unchanged: to create sustainable impact through compassion, collaboration, and community-led development.
Purpose Behind Our Work
We are driven by a shared commitment to empower vulnerable communities and build sustainable pathways toward a self-sufficient future.
Our Mission
Our mission is to empower vulnerable children, families, and communities by providing practical opportunities that lead to lasting change.
We work collaboratively with local organisations, schools, volunteers, businesses, and community leaders to develop programs that improve access to education, create meaningful employment pathways, strengthen local economies, and support healthier, more resilient communities.
Rather than focusing solely on short-term assistance, we invest in initiatives that enable people to become self-sufficient, confident, and equipped to shape their own future.
Every donation, partnership, and volunteer contribution helps us create opportunities that have a lasting impact for generations to come.
- Focus on long-term self-sufficiency
- Collaborative local partnerships
- Sustainable employment pathways
Our Vision
We envision communities where children are protected, families are supported, and opportunities are accessible to everyone.
Our vision extends beyond meeting immediate needs. We strive to create environments where education is valued, meaningful employment is available, and communities are empowered to become resilient and self-sustaining.
Through collaboration, innovation, and compassion, we believe lasting change is possible when people work together with a shared commitment to building stronger futures.
Every project we undertake moves us closer to a world where hope replaces hardship, opportunity overcomes disadvantage, and every child is given the chance to reach their full potential.
- Safe & protected environments for children
- Accessible quality education for all
- Resilient & self-sustaining communities
Our Values
The values of Little Hearts Mission guide every decision we make, every partnership we
build, and every community we serve.
Compassion
People are at the heart of everything we do.
We listen with empathy, act with kindness, and treat every individual with dignity and respect. Compassion inspires us to walk alongside communities, understanding their unique challenges while celebrating their strengths and resilience.
Integrity
We are committed to honesty, transparency, and accountability in every aspect of our work.
Our supporters place their trust in us, and we honour that trust by using resources
responsibly, communicating openly, and maintaining the highest standards of governance
and ethical practice.
Hope
Hope creates possibility.
Partnership
Real change happens when people work together.
Sustainability
We believe lasting change requires long-term thinking.
Empowerment
We believe every person has the ability to shape their own future.
Why We Exist
At Little Hearts Mission, we exist because too many children continue to face challenges that no child should have to endure. Poverty, limited access to education, inadequate healthcare, unemployment, food insecurity and social disadvantage continue to affect families and communities across Australia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Tanzania.
While the challenges may differ from one country to another, the need for hope, opportunity and lasting solutions is universal.
Global Challenges, Local Impact
🇦🇺 Australia
Even in a country of great opportunity, many children and families experience hardship. Rising living costs, housing insecurity, family violence, mental health challenges and social isolation can prevent children from reaching their full potential. We work alongside local organisations to strengthen communities, support vulnerable families and create opportunities that promote wellbeing, inclusion and resilience.
🇵🇭 Philippines
Many families continue to face barriers caused by poverty, limited educational opportunities and unstable employment. Children are often forced to leave school early, while parents struggle to provide basic necessities. Through education, nutrition programs, community development and social enterprises, we help create sustainable pathways that empower families to build independent and secure futures.
🇻🇳 Vietnam
Vulnerable children, particularly those at risk of exploitation, trafficking or neglect, need safe environments where they can grow with dignity and hope. By partnering with trusted local organisations, we support initiatives that provide education, child protection and life skills, helping young people build brighter futures within their own communities.
🇹🇿 Tanzania
Many rural communities face ongoing challenges including food insecurity, limited access to education, unemployment and inadequate infrastructure. We work with local leaders to support sustainable agriculture, education and community development initiatives that strengthen livelihoods and improve long-term wellbeing for families.
Our Team
Meet Our Amazing Team
Why Sustainable Solutions Matter
At Little Hearts Mission, we believe lasting change cannot be achieved through short-term aid alone.
While emergency assistance plays an important role during times of crisis, sustainable solutions create opportunities that continue to benefit communities for years to come. That’s why our approach focuses on building local capacity, strengthening community partnerships and investing in programs that encourage independence rather than dependency.
We work alongside local people—not for them listening to their needs, respecting their knowledge and supporting their vision for the future. By investing in education, skills development, employment opportunities and community led initiatives, we help create solutions that are owned by the communities themselves. Every project is designed to leave a lasting legacy—one that empowers children to stay in school, enables parents to earn a stable income, strengthens local organisations and helps entire communities thrive.
Together with our supporters, volunteers and partners, we are creating more than immediate relief. We are creating opportunity, restoring hope and building brighter futures for generations to come.
Looking Ahead
Little Hearts Mission is more than a charity—it is a growing community of people united by compassion, generosity, and the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed.
Together with our supporters, volunteers, partners, and local communities, we are creating opportunities, restoring hope, and building brighter futures across:
Join us in the journey to empower communities and transform lives
Testimonials
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
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Get Started
Embrace Compassion, Inspire Change
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Tony Lawson Volunteer