The Moment I Met My Sponsor
| Photos by Babylene Bocayes
From the moment a child is sponsored, a relationship blossoms through writing letters. And when sponsors have the opportunity to visit their child, the anticipation of that moment builds. Read Santino’s story as he shares the memorable experience of meeting his sponsors.
Santino prays with his sponsor, Chip.
My name is Santino and I am 13 years old. I live in Toledo City, Cebu, in the Philippines.
I am a grade 7 student and my dream in life is to become an architect someday.
My Family
We are 8 in our family. My father works in construction as a backhoe operator while my mother is a fulltime housewife.
I have an eldest sister. Her name is Shaina, she is 22 years old. My brother is Johnmaigne, he is 19 years old. My second sister is Angel, 14 years old. My younger sister, Mary Jane, 8 years old, is also a sponsored child, and our youngest is Julia Scarlet, 4 years old.
Our house is simple but full of love. There are times that my siblings and I argue, but we fix it together because we love each other.
My Community
Our community is OK, and I like the way the people treat us. But sometimes, I hate it because there are a lot of gossips out there.
When the Hope Center in Toledo was looking for children to register in OneChild, I got chosen.
OneChild is a big help to my family and others. Since I joined the Hope Center, I learned how to read and understand the Bible.
And when Typhoon Odette (international name Rai) struck in 2021, our house was damaged. Our roof was blown away. But because of the help of my Child Champions, they gave us materials like galvanized iron sheets and nails to repair our house. And during the COVID pandemic, they were here to help us and gave us food.
My Sponsors
Chip and Corinne are Santino’s sponsors.
I have two sponsors — Ma’am Corinne and Pastor Chip. They have a daughter, and they live in Colorado, U.S.A.
Having sponsors, I feel grateful and thankful.
When Ma’am Glad (Hope Center Director) told us that Ma’am Corrine and Pastor Chip will visit us, I and my mother prepared for that day. It was my most memorable experience and we celebrated my sponsor’s birthday.
That day, I felt grateful and confused at the same time because I did not know how to approach them. When I saw them, I was shocked, and it was like everything was in slow motion.
My favorite moment with them was when we ate together, and Pastor Chip taught me how to play the Rubik’s Cube, which was also a gift from them.
My Message to My Sponsors
To my sponsors, thank you for everything. I hope that they are doing well and are always safe. Ma’am Corinne and Pastor Chip, I always pray that someday you both will come back and visit us again. I also pray for your health. Take care both of you and God bless you.
Chip takes a picture of Santino and his family.
Make moments like this possible and change a child’s life by sponsoring through OneChild.
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