Let’s simply call him JM. The first time I’ve seen his picture, he was a skinny nine-year old and was one of probably more than a thousand children being cared for by World Vision. World Vision is an international Christian development organization committed to uplift the lives of less fortunate people and communities in more than ninety countries worldwide. Sponsors give a monthly allowance to their chosen child.
It has been my daughter’s dream to help somebody at this organization once she gets promoted in her work. So five years ago, she decided to sponsor a child from the Southern part of the Philippines. She came home one day proudly showing a picture of a skinny but good-looking nine-year-old child named JM. She told me that as long as she can afford to, she would continue to help JM with his studies. I asked her how she came to choose him and she said that his birthday is two days earlier than hers and his record was on top of the voluminous files of children waiting for someone who would sponsor them. Back then, we were all excited to know this child and we were happy to receive letters, report cards, pictures and Christmas greetings. I asked her if there is any chance for us to see him personally. It could be arranged by World Vision but they don’t allow sponsors to go directly to the place where the child lives. Mindanao is a bit far.
The child is now in high school and he is getting 
to be a good-looking teenager. Last November when Nissa got married, he sent a letter congratulating her and his new Kuya. It’s always nice to receive something from him, watching his progress in his studies and how the meager monthly allowance he receives spell the big difference keeping him in school . Nissa promised to sponsor him as long as she could afford it and maybe one day, we’ll be given a chance to meet him personally. Who knows?
There are so many children living in poverty whose hope lies in other people’s help. There are so many out of school youth who simply need guidance in the right direction for them to be able to uplift themselves from poverty. And as long as you have that vision, that dream to study, God will make a way. And when you stay focused on the dream, everything is possible. It’s a grace to receive help from others but it is even more noble to do something good that you know can never be repaid. I admire my daughter for keeping her promise of sponsoring JM. At her young age, she is helping shape the future of a child and in her own small way, she is planting a ray and a vision of hope for JM.
When the world says, “Give up,”
Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.”
Dreams And Escapes 
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