From World Vision Sponsored Child to Barrio Doctor 

One lesson Kristine Joy B. Nagasan will never forget is to not forget to help people in need. 

Kristine grew up in Misamis Occidental, in a family that struggled just to get by. “Before, we were really financially struggling. Both of my parents’ income was not enough. My father was a carpenter, my mother was a midwife, and we were five siblings. It was really hard for my parents to provide for all of us, especially our school needs,” she shares. 

When she was in Grade 2, someone told her parents that she might be able to join World Vision’s sponsorship program. “Thankfully, I was accepted. Every year, I received school supplies, shoes, and uniforms all the way until college. I would get really excited every time the school year was about to start because I knew we would receive notebooks, papers, and school shoes. Before that, my parents really struggled to buy even a cheap pair of shoes. Receiving those things made us really happy.” 

She also became an officer in her area in Misamis Occidental. “During that time, I was exposed to many trainings. Every Saturday, if I’m not mistaken, we would have Bible study. That was a big help, not only to us children but also to our parents. We would gather together, and a pastor would share the Word of God. It was a huge help. So the help was not just financial, but also spiritual.” 

One gift she will never forget was a card from her sponsor. “I can’t remember the exact message anymore, but I remember she thanked me and told me to be good and to work hard in my studies.” 

She also recalls how the World Vision staff always reminded them to work hard because they were fortunate. “One lesson I will never forget is to not forget to help people in need. We were so privileged to be sponsored because not everyone gets that opportunity. Some of my classmates wanted to be part, but not everyone was accepted because it depends on the slots.” 

After college, Kristine entered medical school as a government scholar, determined to achieve her dream. Today, she serves as a Rural Health Physician in Caraga, Davao Oriental visiting remote and disadvantaged areas that rarely visited by a doctor. 

“When I visit these areas, I witness many children (children I can see myself in) who are really working hard to do well in their studies. But they lack financial support because their parents can’t provide for them, not only for school needs but even for their medical needs,” she says. 

“Through my work as a doctor to the barrio, I’m able to extend what I’ve achieved by helping meet their needs, even if I can’t help financially. By serving them and going to their barangays, I feel very happy. Somehow they feel that they are being valued, and that they were not forgotten.” 

Kristine reflects with gratitude, “I am truly happy and deeply grateful because I know that everything I’ve achieved today would not have been possible without the help of World Vision. I am very thankful because, honestly, we were financially struggling before. But now, I can say that I am truly blessed. Not just with the work I have now, but also with the opportunity to help others as well.” 

With the support of a sponsor like YOU, a child’s life can be transformed. Today, Dr. Kristine is giving back to the community and living the lesson she learned as a former World Vision-sponsored child: to not forget to help people in need.