Child Sponsorship Offers Self-Esteem and Opportunity

Jelocelle Tube was a disagreeable and timid little girl ... until she become involved in with Food for the Hungry. Now 14, her cheerful and bright eyes reveal a strikingly pleasant personality. She runs an extensive list of activities—from badminton, to presentations and singing performances to camping.

She continues by saying that she made some of her closest friends through the Child Sponsorship program. Whenever she runs into trouble, she turns to one of her new friends. She also seeks out Robert Cereno, a Food for the Hungry staff member who serves as a pastor at Acts Church. Jelocelle has also grown in her faith with the help of her Bible study group, which is led by staffer Yoli Areola.

It is clear that, for Jelocelle, it is not only the financial assistance that makes her child sponsorship experience worthwhile. To her, Food for the Hungry has become a second family, a community of people she can lean on—physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

“Before, I was extremely shy!” she laughed at herself. “Now, I’m still a little shy around people I don’t know, but I’ve met a lot of people through Food for the Hungry who have coaxed me out of my shell!”

What We Do

Micro-Enterprise Development: Trains local communities and institutions on how to earn and save money and how to use it profitably, including budgeting, goal setting, and planning along with plan and design for the economic aspects of life.

Child Development Program: Addresses the needs of children in all areas of life – educational, spiritual, recreational, medical and physical nourishment.

Extended Education Program: Provides funding for sponsored children who wish to pursue a higher education, for uniforms, books, school supplies, and tuition fees. Also equips students for future employment through vocational training or special advanced training.

Food for the Hungry has been serving the poor in the Philippines since 1981.

Most Filipinos work in agriculture, light industry and service-oriented jobs. Many rely on the incomes of family members who work in other countries. Children are most vulnerable to diseases, suffering and injustice. While many want to pursue a higher education, the majority lack the necessary funds. As a result, most Filipinos appreciate new knowledge about how to start and manage their own businesses to support their family needs.