A letter from the founder.

A Letter from the Founder
October 10, 2025

Greetings! I’m Aylene, and I’m honored to share our journey with you.
My path began in the Philippines, where I was born, and took a pivotal turn when I came to the United States at age 10. I was welcomed into the care of my grandmother, Patrocinio De Guzman, a remarkable woman whose strength and kindness deeply shaped who I am.

Growing up, I was filled with curiosity for the world and a deep desire to make a difference. Over time, I was fortunate to explore new places and encounter both the beauty and the challenges of diverse communities. I learned that a simple smile or warm gesture can bridge gaps and create connection—a universal language of kindness.

Inspired to give back, I launched the Tooth Fairy Drive more than 20 years ago, gathering toothbrushes and toothpaste for Filipino school children. From there, we grew—sending books to remote schools and starting feeding programs to support families in need. These early acts of service revealed a powerful truth: giving is happiness. What began as a small personal mission has now grown into a family and community effort, with my twin boys joining me in the spirit of service.

In 2022, we established The Hizon International Foundation, and since then, we have accomplished the following:
*Patrocinio De Guzman Scholarship: Awarded $1,000 scholarships to 22 dedicated single mothers from the U.S., Europe, and Africa, supporting their pursuit of higher education. This year, we welcomed 4 new scholars, each receiving both financial support and mentorship.
*Mentorship Program: Continued to guide and support scholars as they pursue their personal and academic goals, helping them build confidence and community.
*Gratitude Soirees: Created a virtual space for connection, positivity, and shared encouragement.
*Educational Programs: Partnered with leaders and schools to bring practical tools for personal growth and community impact.
*Teacher Grant Program: While no applicants applied this year, we redirected our efforts to direct school outreach through our Tooth Fairy initiatives.
*Tooth Fairy Drive 2025:
o First drive with Basdiot Elementary School, where we distributed toothbrushes and toothpaste to students with the support of the school principal.
o Second drive was part of a Dental Hygiene Education Series in collaboration with Nature Kids of Siargao Kid’s Club Project, the ATE Program (empowering local women through sewing livelihoods), and Eyog Dental Clinic.  We combined education, dental kit giveaways, and support for local initiatives.

None of these milestones would be possible without the incredible support of our volunteers, collaborators, and donors. Because of you, we continue to make a difference and bring small but meaningful light into the lives of others.

As we look ahead, I invite you to stand with us in continuing this mission. Your support fuels our scholarship and mentorship programs, expands educational outreach, and sustains initiatives like the Tooth Fairy Drive that bring health, value, and hope to communities.

Together, we can keep making someone’s life even more beautiful.

With heartfelt gratitude,
🦋 Aylene Norris 🦋
Founder, Hizon International Foundation

Welcome to the Hizon International Foundation