Our Manila Slum Program (MSP) helps alleviate poverty by supporting the schooling of children from vulnerable communities in Manila. Last month, we invited Joanna and Vic who currently work as Marketing Executive and Research Manager respectively. Both are graduates of one of the most coveted top universities in the country, the University of the Philippines. They talked to high school students of the Slum Program at our new center.
Joanna and Vic with the student beneficiaries
Joanna and Vic looked back and shared their experiences, hopes, and challenges in preparing for college as students. Both shared that they were financially challenged with little to no budget for college tuition. They shared a touching anecdote about how they overcame this challenge by persevering in their studies, looking and applying for scholarships, and maximizing their educational options by applying to different schools.
The students also shared the degree programs they want, and the work they envision for themselves and asked for advice. Joanna and Vic encouraged the students to continue hoping and dreaming. And that despite their respective challenges, they must make their hopes and dreams as motivation to keep pushing forward. It was a highly motivating and meaningful time for everyone. To Joanna and Vic, it felt like a full-circle moment in their lives—to the students, this signals a beginning to pursue their dreams by working hard to make them come true. We will continue to hold these discussions by inviting more professionals to guide, counsel, and support our beneficiaries with their educational journey.
Joanna and Vic with the students and staff from the Philippines
Our Partners
We recently shared Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) prevention materials to 100 individuals near our Microfinance Program office.
27 SHARES
Marilyn, a client of the One Hope Microfinance Program, is thriving with her third loan. Her food stand near a school feeds students and teachers daily.
12 SHARES
Through our Manila Slum Program, Jei returned to school and graduated, while her mother, Jing, completed a cookery course and is now seeking stable work.
13 SHARES
The school leaders at Payatas B fully support our mission to bring online safety education to their school, empowering students to recognize and report abuse.
28 SHARES
As we expand our microfinance program, each client will now receive an OSAEC (Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children) activity booklet with their loan.
31 SHARES
One of the main tenets of stopping cybersex crime is through education. We ensure that all of our program beneficiaries in the Philippines undergo online awareness programs. During our second meeting and disbursement, 225 parents and guardians from Marytown received essential information on Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).
64 SHARES
