It’s Monday morning here in Manila.  I arrived late Wednesday night and it’s been non-stop so far.  Friday evening I had a great time with the sponsored high school students at their weekly meeting…..what a fun bunch! Recently during one of the meetings they did a survey and one of the questions was “what is […]

It’s time to travel again.  Tomorrow morning I head back to Manila…..and after this never ending New York winter….I can’t wait! This marks my 24th year traveling to the Philippines.  It was that first trip that changed the course of my life.  All it took was one visit to a garbage dump community.  It was […]

Impressive Ludington Library in Brwn Mawr, Pennsylvania was the setting for Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority’s monthly meeting On Thursday evening, September 26, 2013. Sarah Anne Smith, Hope for Change International’s South Asia Director, was the featured guest  speaker at the Zeta Chapter of Professional Educators who emphasized “World Understanding” as the theme for the gathering. […]

Today we got the news that the mother of one of our college students passed away.  She had been sick for a while with leukemia, she was only 40 years old.  Our student, Vanessa is the oldest of 3 children.  Being the oldest here brings a lot of responsibility.  I haven’t been able to see […]

This week, many hours have been spent interviewing potential elementary and high school students for the sponsorship program.  The  room has been filled with parents, students and brothers and sisters.  With so many in need here it’s hard to decide who should qualify.  During the interviews I observed a 12 year old who will be […]

Over the past couple of days I’ve been visiting our students and interviewing new first year college students.  It’s been great to spend time with them.  So many of them make you laugh and are great fun.  But it doesn’t take long to see the reality of where these kids live and what they face […]

Well this is my first day in Manila and it’s already been quite an adventure.  I arrived last night around 9:45PM.  The flight was on time, the service was good (I recommend Korean Air!)….no problems. After breezing through immigration and getting my bags I took my iphone out to text my dear friend Paul Ariaga […]

Wow!  It’s November already!! As Thanksgiving Day approaches, all of us at Hope For Change International want to give thanks for all of you who have given your support and encouragement to us in our efforts to help erradicate the effects of poverty in the lives of those we are reaching out to.  Without your […]