In the wee hours of the morning, you’ll find Janninah packaging breakfast items to sell into plastic bags. It’s a routine she has mastered since she was five years old. Then, after that, she goes on a tough journey of survival — trading her breakfast goods for sampaguita flowers and selling these to the churchgoers near her house.

Her story is that of determination. Her estimated daily earnings are just 100 pesos (US$ 1.76), but even so, she presses on because she has four younger siblings depending on her.

Because of this, she is left with no choice but to sacrifice her own education. In her eyes, school is a privilege she cannot afford.

Thankfully, a ray of hope shines through the Manila Slum Project. This initiative, dedicated to uplifting the underprivileged kids of Manila’s slums, gave Janninah a chance at education. She was able to enroll in sixth grade this school year.

The educational support provided to her, with the help of our amazing field partner in the Philippines, Honor 1000, has become Janninah’s way to a brighter future. This help meant that she could trade her selling hat for a student’s uniform and arm herself with knowledge and education that she only dreamt of before.

In Janninah’s encouraging story, we hope to replicate her experience for many girls and boys who long for an opportunity to continue their studies.

With your help and support, let’s guide them from seemingly hopeless situations towards better futures through quality education and timely opportunities.