Posts by Bernadette Tan
Elsa escapes her nightmare
Three years ago, Elsa’s already difficult life became an absolute nightmare. Unable to find work locally, her husband went to Manila to find a way to support his wife and four children. Three days later she found out her husband had been killed in an accident. After her husband’s death, Elsa’s behavior became marked by…
Read MoreJosefa’s Clean Start
Josefa wanted to find a job that would let her support her family. With her partner, Henry, only working part-time as a seasonal carpenter, the family of six lived on a daily income of US$1.14 for the entire family. The 43 year-old mother had always wanted to find something that could supplement her husband’s income, but…
Read MoreGrowing the family business
As a child, Gerlie wanted to attend school. Even at a young age, she knew that education was important. Gerlie’s parents, however, refused her request for an education because there was no money to cover the costs of transportation, shoes and the school uniform. Wanting to escape the demands of her family, Gerlie married her…
Read MoreHappy International Women’s Day!
In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, ICM proudly shares the stories of three women who participated in one of ICM’s programs and are able to contribute to their families’ social and economic achievement in the Philippines. Transform When asked to join ICM’s 16 week Transform program, Maria wasn’t sure how it could…
Read MoreTrading the golf clubs for hope
When Raquel Hopton joined ICM as an summer student, she was confident that after her three months internship, she would be headed back to the USA to start her master’s degree. Five years later…Raquel is still in Asia and helping the poorest of the poor. Raquel Hopton grew up in the Midwest USA and…
Read MoreFrom learning to earning
Leonila had a small shop, however the paltry income made from daily sales was not enough to adequately provide for her husband and son. When asked by her local pastor if she was interested in attending ICM’s Transform program, Leonila quickly agreed. Even though it meant she’d have to close her shop one afternoon a…
Read More‘Coins for a Cause’
Last December, long-time ICM supporters Kellett School held a ‘Coins for a Cause’ drive that will help dozens of children in the Philippines get a head-start on education. As part of a series of fundraisers to help pay for Kellett’s ICM Jumpstart program, which they have sponsored for the past eight years, students at both…
Read MoreBlessed by Giving
Joy is a single mother of three children. Despite a stable job as a recruiter, she was unable to to afford treatment for her thyroid problem. Left untreated, Joy’s condition worsened. She lost her job because she was embarrassed to be seen in public. To help save money, she took her children and moved back…
Read MoreReynaldo’s Surgery
Reynaldo Deles lost his eyesight in an auto accident six years ago. Although surgery in 2011 restored the sight to one eye, a lack of money meant Reynaldo was unable to attend the crucial follow-up appointments and he became totally blind. Without eyesight, Reynaldo was no longer able to continue his job as a farmhand. With no…
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