Aphrodite was born to a very poor family of farmers in the far-reaching parts of the mountains well outside the city. Their small homemade of dilapidated light materials like bamboo and traditional nipa could only be reached after climbing a steep incline and was close to a rugged cliff. She had many odds stacked against her, but she did not give up.

Aphrodite’s parents wanted her to have an opportunity for a better life. Despite their remote living situation, they became a part of LCP’s Timbao community and applied for sponsorship. This felt like the opportunity of a lifetime. She and her family faithfully participated, attended Sunday worship, and prayed God would send them a sponsor. After waiting for a little while, she became eligible for sponsorship and was sponsored! Aphrodite was just a little girl when she was first sponsored in November 2009.

Sponsorship did not take away all their struggles. She and her mom would make the long journey into the city together to be able to attend activities at LCP, and she and her siblings walked to school at 6:30am each day. Her family lost their home due to Typhoon Odette. She had to have an operation while she was in college and attended classes while she was recovering so she would not get behind. And, during COVID when all classes were virtual, she had to climb a tree to get enough signal to do her classes. She never gave up and held on to hope. She enjoyed attending the Bible studies and Sunday worship as she grew up at LCP. Her faith in God grew every year. Once she was old enough, she attended the Youth Venture Camp, and from that experience, she really felt her faith grow.

LCP and her sponsors supported her through it all. Today, Aphrodite is 22 years old and a college graduate. She received her bachelor’s degree in secondary education with a focus on English this year. Her dream of becoming a teacher is a reality. She has a college degree, confidence in herself and her accomplishments, and hope for the future.

None of this would be possible without sponsorship and scholarship. So many graduates like Aphrodite have lives that are dramatically different because someone like you gave a hand up to a better future. Thank you all for being sponsors and college donors and making stories like this possible!