You Gave Hope to Students Through Your Love

In a remote mountain village in the Philippines, Irene, who was born there, teaches more than 50 children and adults who have no access to a formal education. Many have grown up without knowing how to write their own names or even to count to ten. 

"It's common in this tribe to be uneducated,” she told a team from our CBN Asia office in the Manila, Philippines. “That's why I encourage them to learn and be educated for our future and for our children's future.” 

Irene received her degree in information technology. But instead of finding a lucrative tech job, she returned to her hometown to help break the cycle of poverty that she grew up with.  

Magno is one of her adult students. “Before Miss Irene taught us about reading and math, outsiders who buy our produce often cheated us,” he said. “But all that changed when we started learning. We are not getting easily fooled by others anymore.” 

Sheryl is another adult student. “Education is so important to me,” she declared. “I want to be like Miss Irene! I also want to teach kids here in the community so they can have a better life than our parents had!” 

Because of the pandemic supply lines have been affected and the school has had a hard time restocking school supplies. At times, the government even stopped people and deliveries from entering the region.     

“We needed more paper to print out weekly lessons,” said Irene.”And we need more school supplies for all of the students! But we were at a loss as to where we could get those supplies.”

When Operation Blessing learned about their need, we crossed 11 rivers and climbed narrow mountain roads to reach the school!  We delivered six months' worth of school supplies and materials for Miss Irene and her students. 

“Thank you Lord!” said Irene with a big smile. “I have been praying for this and God truly provided for everything we needed. I feel so blessed and grateful. Now the kids can continue with their studies. I don't have to worry about where to get our supplies tomorrow, or the next month or the month after that cause we have six months of materials available for us! So thank you very much Operation Blessing. May you get to bless more people!”