Featured Sponsored Kids

by Jenette Fariola
Child Sponsorship Program Coordinator

ROYS GERIC MINA:

Every child has the right to have a good life and has the right to education. But not all are lucky enough to have a life like this. Some of the kids are able to go to school but still has to suffer with what their family could offer to them.

Roys Geric Mina is a 9 year old boy and is still in the 1st Grade in elementary with his sister, Almira on the same class. They live in a house too far away from their school that they have to walk in the field for more than 1km everyday – that has been a reason also why they are often late in going to school. Their teacher Ms. Hardin, said that Roys is a good student, he actively participates in class and is a very obedient kid.

His Father is a laborer in a farm with an average income of P100.00 per day. Their Father finds an alternative job in times of unavailability of work in the farm, just to fill the stomach of his family. Roys' youngest sibling, Roswell, who is only 3 months old is being taken cared of by his stepmother that is why she could not help in earning money for the family.

VINCENT LABRADOR:

Vincent Labrador, 8 year old, is a very happy kid despite of his physical problems. He is a grade two student of Cangumbang Primary School in Palo, Leyte. He loves playing with his classmates every recess time. He also actively participates in class discussion and he is doing good in class, according to their teacher, Ms. Hardin.

Vincent Labrador (one of the featured sponsored kids).

Vincent lives with his Grandmother and Grandfather while his Mother and other two sisters work as housemaids at a nearby city to sustain Vincent and his Grandparents. His Mother visits him at least every month.

He has a special case of all the kids in Palo, his left leg is swollen and gets even bigger as time passes by. There are times that he could not walk with his foot because it aches so much. Vincent was found out to be negative with Filariasis but having problem with his lymphatic vessels. He has been brought to a specialist to examine his case, he was somehow given a medicine to stop the pain and to prevent the swelling. The doctor recommends to bring him to a hospital in Cebu City or Manila City for further examinations because there are no enough facilities in the city.

Despite of Vincent's physical problem, he likes to go with his grandfather every time he goes to the farm to work. He also loves to play basketball and he dreams of becoming a policeman someday. He does not see his disability as a hindrance in achieving his dreams.