In the Philippines, 95 children die from malnutrition everyday, while 36% of Filipino families cannot afford education. Most special needs’ children are neglected and viewed as worthless. Moreover, only 2% of the population are evangelical Christians. Because of these issues, a great need exists for us to provide healthcare, education, and respite care for special needs’ children.
I primarily focus on helping the impoverished indigenous mountain people of the Ifugao province whose main source of income is subsistence rice farming. As the director of Noah’s Ark Ministries, I run their Home for Children and Special Needs’ Learning Centre, that accommodates up to 50 children at one time.
We care for orphaned, abandoned, malnourished, educationally disadvantaged, and special needs’ children. We also provide scholarships to elementary and high school students coming from single parent families or families in crisis and nutrition to malnourished babies and toddlers, through our work with ChildCARE Plus each year.
God has been so faithful—to date more than 250 children have lived in the Home with 65 graduating from college and becoming successfully employed. Over 800 students have received scholarships, and 70 babies and toddlers have received milk, vitamins, and healthcare.
In 1981, I graduated from Bible college with a diploma in theology. Having a great desire to work with children and missions, in 1989, I arrived in the Philippines on a one-year commitment to help my friends start a home for children. After finishing that one year, I was asked to stay longer. That was over 30 years ago! I am still giving leadership to the Noah’s Ark Ministries. I also adopted two children along this journey who have blessed me so much.
