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Our families

With their permission we would like you to get to know some of the families that we have got to know and support

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Mary Joy Tolentino, a 23-year-old single mother shows remarkable resilience while raising her son Jairo, who has multiple serious health conditions. Despite being abandoned by his father, she completed her education, works online to support them, and relies on help from her mother and community. She remains hopeful for the future, aiming to secure a stable teaching job and improve their living conditions to give her son a better, healthier life.

 

She reflects that her greatest reward has been healing through small victories with Jairo. Letting go of guilt and “what ifs,” she now defines her journey by her strength and Jairo’s resilience. She finds deep joy in his small milestones.

 

Mary Joy emphasizes that emotional support and community kindness have been essential in her journey as a single mother. Despite early criticism, she found strength in the generosity of neighbors, strangers, and her own mother, who helped care for Jairo and meet their needs.

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She wishes people were more open-minded and recognized that children like Jairo deserve love, dignity, and inclusion beyond their diagnoses. Despite hurtful judgments, she affirms that Jairo is not a burden but her greatest source of hope.

 

What truly moves her is how he communicates. Even though he can’t talk with words like

us, he absolutely responds when she talks to him. He 'talks' back with his sweet coos and by kicking

his legs with excitement. Therapy has also helped him a lot in this journey.

 

Her greatest dream is for Jairo to have a comfortable life and the best possible quality of life. She especially hopes to improve his vision by taking him to a specialist, wanting him to experience and see the beauty of the world. Also, securing a safe, clean water source in her home would be a life-changing improvement.

You can read more of their story and Mary Joy's thoughts in the attachment below

Bohol, Philippines

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