My Nonprofit Reviews
Ailyn P.
Review for ChildFund International, Richmond, VA, USA
I'm Ailyn from the Philippines, I was one of the kids who had a great chance to be part of ChildFund Philippines. When I was in Grade 2, my life totally changed when my mom brought me to an office near the church. I wondered what it was for and I could remember a nun asked me what do I want to become in the future and I just confidently answered I wanted to become a teacher. At that time, I didn't know how important it was, but as days went by I realized how it made a difference to us. I was given free fabric for school, which I share to my other sisters so that they have can uniforms too, they gave me school supplies which I saw my mom had a hard time before because she can't buy enough notebooks for all of us, so we share the notebooks I got, had all the springs removed and we tied it by yarn, so we could have enough notebooks for all the subjects that we had. Reconciliation Center which is affiliated with ChildFund started to give my parents seminars too about Child's Rights, usually my parents disciplined me physically but when they attended the seminar, how they discipline me totally changed. They started to be opened and they started to ask my opinion on things. I've got a chance to attend seminars too which hone me to become a better a person and good leader to the other kids.
There were so many things I've received from ChildFund; tangible and intangible things, What I'm so grateful of was when the time they told me I got a sponsor from the US. I started writing letters for my Uncle Bob, and also I started imagining how they look like, for almost 16 years I've written letters and never got a respond. I didn't know if he has family, married or he has children, but every time I see foreigners in our city. I've always wanted to ask if they know someone Mr. Robert Dames, I have considered them as my second parents and everytime I go to church I always pray for him and for his family even if at that time I really have no idea who he was. In occasion, bday or Christmas, he would send me 25$-50$ and with that money, I give it to my parents and my parents would buy something for all of us to share and we would be so happy, he was like a Santa Claus in our family. I have never received gifts from my parents, which I really understand why. They just can't afford to buy extra things for us, we hardly have our needs given so we never expected them to do so but as children having someone who gives us a feeling that we are children who also craves for gifts. I also started dreaming of talking to him, so I strive to learn English so in the future if I get the chance to see him I could utter all the words of thanks I would want to say and I could express how grateful I am and my family to have him. He fulfilled the role of second father and he gave me amazing experiences, because of him I was able to finish school and I have fulfilled my dream to become a teacher. When I got my job, I decided to look for him so I started to find him on whitepages, but I had a hard time coz there were a lot of the same names, I wrote one of them a letter, and I can feel that it was him, Finally after a month, I got an email saying that I was right and finally received his picture for the first time and respond. I have also seen the picture of his family which teared me the most, because my curiosity was answered and the waiting time of knowing him even online came. I feel like I became a complete person knowing the person who cared for me for a long time. If it was not for him, I wouldn't become a person that I am today. I wouldn't be strong and hard working as I am so I'm really thankful that he touched our lives and I'm really thankful for Childfund for giving me the chance to be better person, finish school and have all the experiences I have with other children from Childfund which made more complete and accepted in the society.
More Feedback
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
never asked them to change, because I have known some children from this program and they have also helped their families and these children became the best in their fields. My friends from Childfund finished university too and they all have great jobs now which totally elevated their situation and help their family as a whole
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Quite well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
Review for ChildFund International, Richmond, VA, USA
ChildFund International will always be forever part of my life. I owe my education and holistic development. My life has been touched in so many ways. I used to be a child who dreamed of a lot of things but didn't really expect that my dreams would be realized and now I'm someone that my family who can depend on. Thanks to ChildFund for making it possible. I'm currently working as Virtual Assistant for three companies in the US. Seriously, my life has been different if I didn't have ChildFund.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in Philippines particularly in Mindanao
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would personally contribute as volunteer for their activities but I wouldn't change the programs they are all for every child's development and growth.
