Category: Recipient Stories

Life was chaotic for Meraluna. Pregnant, with four children, a husband, sister and nephew to support, the tiny weekly income (US$3/PHP150) she earned washing people’s clothes didn’t begin to cover the family’s expenses. Desperate, the overworked Meraluna did what most people in her community did in hopes of earning money – she placed bets on...

Many wishes for a wonderful Christmas from your friends at ICM!

“Please help our child receive surgery. We want her to grow up normally,  become happy and be successful in the future.” This was Jonamie and Jeperlito’s plea for their three-year-old daughter, Jasmine.   Jasmine appeared to be a healthy seven-month-old until one day she began to vomit uncontrollably. Her parents rushed Jasmine to the hospital...

Amie wasn’t convinced that attending an ICM Transform program would benefit her. She expected the Transform program to be filled with a few ineffective lectures and a bit of cash distribution and to have no lasting worth.   After starting the Transform program, Amie’s early fears were proved wrong and she realized her perspective and attitude...

Over 7,000 Christmas presents are headed to children in ICM programs, thanks to Hong Kong charity Box of Hope. Box of Hope is an annual charity project aimed at providing useful/educational gifts to underprivileged children in Hong Kong & Asia donated by Hong Kong school children and local organisations. Founded by Nicole Woolhouse and Harriet...

Depending on your country of birth, your life chances and future outcomes are significantly affected. Universal Children’s Day, celebrated on November 20, 2016, is dedicated to promoting international togetherness and awareness among children worldwide and is coordinated by UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund. Every child has a right to life, health, education and play...

Joshua E was surfing the internet from his home in Los Angeles. The medical student had developed an effective motivation to keep up with his studies and schedule: if he didn’t complete his daily tasks, he would donate US$20 to charity. One day, Joshua E didn’t finish his jobs. Making good on his promise to...

Mylin, 23, lives with her partner Roderick and their nine-month-old daughter Yuri, in a house made of bamboo and palm leaves. They do not have electricity or proper water supply. Working as a farmer, Roderick makes roughly PHP2,000 (US$46.51) a month. His earnings equal US$0.51 per person, per day. It’s hard to believe that Mylin...

ICM’s Chair of the Board, David Sutherland, is pleased to share the results of Hong Kong’s ICM Banquet, held October 24 at the Hong Kong Conventions and Exhibition Centre.   Dear Friends; What an exciting evening! At ICM’s 12th Annual Banquet Monday night we saw Hope Shining Through everywhere we looked! We are thrilled and...

With more than 25 million Filipinos surviving on incomes below US$1.25 per day and some seven million living on less than US$0.50 per day, poverty is a daily hardship and enduring misery for those in the Philippines at the bottom of the economic ladder. On October 17, 2016, the United Nations will lead the world in marking the International...