Category: Media

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Unemployed, with children to care for, Cleta believed that Transform could change her life. From the first lesson, she saw the benefits that the useful and practical lessons brought to her family. Soon after the Transform program began,  Cleta was in a motorcycle accident and badly injured her foot. Despite her pain, she still attended lessons....

Maria’s touching story of sacrifice, hard work and heroism was the centerpiece of ICM’s Gala Dinner in October 2015. As she shared her dreams and new-found hope for her life, and proudly watched her son Melvin perform, almost a thousand people were inspired to dream with ICM for the ultrapoor of the Philippines. It took...

Keren Nika Antipasado was not feeling well. The normally active seven-year-old was having sharp pains in her stomach that weren’t going away. Her father, Nick, a pastor, took Keren to a clinic where she was diagnosed with acute appendicitis and scheduled for immediate surgery. The problem was paying for the surgery. Keren required urgent treatment...

Florlyn Reyes relied on her husband, a tricycle driver who earns around US$3.21 (PHP150) a day, to provide for the family. His income was not sufficient to meet the needs of their family of five, which created tension, arguments and resentment between the couple. When Florlyn heard about ICM’s Transform program, she was excited and...