Family’s Rise from Poverty

“Naging malaking tulong po si World Vision para maabot namin ang mga pangarap namin as a family (World Vision helped us reach our dreams as a family),” said 26-year-old Cherry Cabatbat, the eldest of five sisters, when asked how her life changed because of Child Sponsorship.

Cherry is among the second generation of sponsored children in her family. Her father, Cesar, was one of the first children to be sponsored by World Vision International in Isabela.

Cesar is now a farm caretaker with his wife, Imelda. They are blessed with five girls: Cherry, Sara Jane, Meann, Charmelle and Chin-chin.

Growing up, the Cabatbat sisters have seen how hard their parents would work just to provide them with their daily allowance for school, leaving no budget for school supplies.

When they became sponsored children, they were grateful for the school kits they received. “Wala akong rason para di makapasok dahil meron akong school supplies (I had no reason not to go to school because I had school supplies),” Sara Jane shared.

“Yung makatapos sila para di sila matulad sa amin (We hope they can all graduate so they will not be like us).” This is the dream of Imelda for her children.

The girls are grateful for the support they received, believing that this played a large part in their success today. As of this writing, Cherry is a private school teacher, Sara Jane and Meann are finishing their degree in Biology, Charmelle is in Grade 6 and Chin-chin is preparing to attend school as she turns 4 this year.

“Tutulong at tutulong ako sa family ko hanggat kaya ko (I will help my family as much as I can),” Cherry promised.