Dawn for the Poor
There is a learning crisis in the Philippines, where access to quality education is limited to those with the means or opportunity. The Philippines lags behind similar countries by five to six years in youth education. Twenty-eight percent of the Philippine population, or 30 million people, are between the ages of 10 and 24. It is estimated that almost 11 million of these youth are not in school. For those without means, higher education is virtually impossible.
The Dawn for the Poor Foundation is committed to ministry among the urban poor, with a vision to transform communities for the glory of God and to foster the growth of a holistic church-multiplication movement in Manila and beyond. Providing educational opportunities for disadvantaged students is integral to this movement.
FAIR, through the Fellowship Child Sponsorship Program, is partnering with Dawn for the Poor to raise $25,000 through our Fellowship churches. These funds will address the needs of 27 students who are currently without sponsors. This support will help these students develop leadership skills that contribute to the betterment of their communities.
The sponsorship program provides tuition and a weekly allowance. The development program attached to sponsorship includes weekly Bible study, youth fellowship, house-to-house visitation, youth camp, and leadership and career conferences. Keeping these students in school is the means by which the gospel of Jesus Christ can be proclaimed to them and then through them. Currently, qualified sponsorship coordinators are overseeing the education of 234 sponsored students through the Dawn for the Poor program.
Does such a program work?
Take, for example, the current leader of the Dawn for the Poor ministry, Fredrick Dungganon. He is a former student of the program from one of the poorest communities in Metropolitan Manila. He came to Christ at one of the ministry’s youth camps and has been involved in the ministry since 1998. Fredrick later earned a Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies, assumed leadership of the ministry in 2007, and works alongside other pastors and leaders to plant house churches, mentor, and make disciples who will transform their communities.
The answer to the question is a resounding “Yes!”
Consider how you and those within your circle of influence can bring hope to underprivileged youth, giving them a chance to break free from the cycle of poverty, pursue their dreams, and fulfil their potential. Even more, your participation, through FAIR on behalf of Dawn for the Poor, will create opportunities for meaningful change: change that comes through the Gospel of Christ and the tools to make holistic changes in their communities because of the Gospel’s impact.
Empowered people empower others.