PHILIPPINES – In the busy streets of Cavite, John Paulo’s childhood was overcast by the shadow of poverty in the Philippines. Without a father to help provide for them, both John Paulo and his brother endured the harsh realities of life in a daily struggle to survive. They even lived as street children for a time. Surrounded by drugs and crime, they got involved in fights and were dubbed juvenile delinquents. These boys needed compassionate intervention from friends like you.
In time, John Paulo’s eyes were opened to the possibility of a better life—a life where love and hope prevailed over the despair and hardship he had known all too well.
Through the intervention of a local Christian church, the Gospel’s transformational power began to take root in his heart. Every Sunday he would sit alongside fellow believers and recite the words of John 3:16. He felt a stirring deep within him—a call to change and to embrace a new way of living. But could this kind of freedom really be possible?
“He sent His Son to change us all,” John Paulo said. “He’s the one who will find a way for us to escape from sin.”
Breaking the Grip of Generational Poverty in the Philippines
Though his heart had shifted, John Paulo’s journey to gain freedom from the grip of generational poverty in the Philippines was not without its challenges. He was living in a single cramped room with his mother and brother. It gave them a place to sleep and protection from the rain, but little else. Together, they would scavenge through garbage for items that could be sold to the junk shop to help provide for their daily needs.
Reflecting on his family’s dire situation, John Paulo said, “When I see them without food and relying on the junk shop, it’s like we’re slowly reverting back to what we were on the streets before. Struggling and depending on other people’s charity. Just hoping someone will lend money. I don’t want to see them like that.”
Then your kindness stepped in and paved the way toward freedom. With the support of Operation Blessing’s microenterprise project, John Paulo—now a young adult— finally gained the freedom he had been searching for.
Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, John Paulo was provided with everything he would need to start his own food cart business. Through training sessions and the guidance of dedicated mentors, he and his family were equipped with the tools they needed to break free from the cycle of poverty.
“I thank everyone who made this possible,” John Paulo expressed with gratitude. “Without this, we would not be able to provide for our daily needs. Thank you so much!”
John Paulo’s days of scavenging are over. His family has been able to move into a better home. Their story has become a living reminder of the Gospel’s hope and the freedom that is possible when caring donors like you help break the chains of poverty for families in need!
