This is my blog for my sponsored child Ella. I have made posts on her before but this is the one that I will continue to update with all her more recent information.

Ella is the first child I sponsored on my own. I began sponsoring her in September of 2002, when she was just 9 years old. I was 17 at the time - the age which she is now! She's had a very tough life but is a really lovely young woman. Her father is deceased and has been since she was at least 8. She has 5 sisters - two older ones, and three younger ones. Her mother works as a laundry worker.

Ella has graduated high school but unfortunately cannot go to college or vocational school as she has to provide for her family. She works two jobs and earns more than half the income for their household. It's been a really heartbreaking turn of events this year.

However, I have seen her develope through the years and if anything, I know that she is strong and will make the best of these tough times. I hope that she can one day follow the path that she desires, even if I am no longer her sponsor. I dread that day! I know it's about a year and a half away but I already think about it and wish it wasn't so close. But I enjoy going back and reading her many letters and seeing her earlier photos - and the mature progression of them. This is the first photo I ever had of Ella. Isn't she such a wee thing? I loved the little half-smile half-smirk on her face. The first sign that she had character and personality.

July 2010

I have sent an SNG this month, the first really big gift that I've been able to make. I had been saving for Ella to go to college but since it's not meant to be I thought it only fair to turn it towards some other way of helping the family - and easing the burden on Ella. I provided the funds for a washer/dryer machine which they suggested for an IGP. Ella's mother is already a laundry worker but she's been doing it all these years by hand! Her eldest daughter is 29, and I can't imagine she's under fifty. Doing such bakcbreaking work for decades has, I'm sure, taken a toll. I hope to ease her ability to work and also to increase the amount of laundry that she can get done. I also included enough funds for Ella to get a new quality roll-up matress to sleep on (there is no room for beds). I know they would like some home repairs as well and I will work on that in the upcoming year.

July 27, 2010

Today I received a really sweet letter from Ella, but it's pretty much broken my heart. She's been through so much and there's still so much pressure on her. I wish I could ease the burden on her and the family enough that she could go to school but I know it's not within my grasp. She's a very smart girl who is very aware of what's going on, but you can also sense how her heart is aching.

"Dear Ms. Clinton,

Hi! How are you? I hope you're always fine and in good health. I am happy for the blessings that you will be sharing to me and my family. It's been a great honor to have these things that you want us to have. It's really my pleasure and I really thank God for this opportunity. Maybe God know what I feel, the trials, the challenges that I am experiencing and He gave me a generous, a loving sponsor.

Thank you for all your support, God bless...

Love,

Ella Marie G______"

I know when she wrote this that she had not received any extra gifts so I cannot be sure to what she was referring. Perhaps the inquiries? Perhaps to me trying to pay for school? I don't know. But the letter brought tears to my eyes. She is so sweet but she has so much stacked up against her. I will write her back soon. I hope that I can provide her with hope during her struggles.

August 2010

8/30/10 - I got the report back on Ella's SNG!! Listed as gifts that the family received: 1 washing machine (also works as a dryer), 1 desk fan, 1 mattress (Uratex Foam), 34 assorted groceries.

'What were the child's/family's comments when the gifts were delivered?' 

Ella Marie and her family were very happy and felt blessed and loved when informed about the special gift. Its their first time to receive a big amount of special gift since she became a member of the sponsorship program. They expressed a very sincere 'thank you' to the sponsor. The family prays for the good health and prosperity of the sponsor.

'How will the gifts benefit the child and/or family?'

Through the special gift donation, Ella Marie bought washing machine, mattress, electric fan, and assorted groceries. Its really a big help to the family mostly to her mother who's source of income is to accept laundry, because the mother now can easily wash the clothes of her costumers with the help of washing machine not like before that she manually washed all clothes. And she can also now immediately dried clothes with the help of a dryer even in rainy season. The mother can now accept more laundry jobs, and can increase her income. Ella Marie now can sleep well through the help pf her new mattress and electric fan. And the grocery items are for the family daily good consumption for a week. The family now can save some money and can increase their income. They are very thankful for the help of her sponsor as well as to the program support.

And Ella wrote me a lovely thank you note:

"Dear Sponsor,

Hi! Im glad to tell you that we're very happy to received a special gift from you. A million of thanks is not enough to say thank you for the help and support you've given to me and my family. You've given us a wonderful gift that will really help us. May god give you more strength and more blessings. We are really praying hard for you. It's my first time to go to the mall with my sister. We had a happy shopping buying the things that we are longing for, like washing machine. My mother's dream is to have this, to maker her work easier and as our income. You served as an angel to our family, I bought a mattress, electic fan and assorted groceries, specially detergent soap for the washing machine.

Thanks you for the support.

Love,

Ella"

I do feel bad that this is my first big gift (it has been 8 years), but I'm not rolling in dough. I did give some smaller gifts (around $40), but that obviously couldn't cover big ticket items! I'm actually pleased with how much they were able to get. I had the estimate for the machine and the bed and then rounded it up a bit (maybe $15 at most) and they were still able to get a fan and a fair amount of groceries!

I think the woman standing with her is actually her oldest sister. I had asked for a family photo, but hey...one family member is still more than I've ever seen before! At first I thought it might be her mom but she looks too young. Ella's oldest sister is 29. Plus Ella mentioned that she went shopping with her sister. That mattress is also huge! It makes me happy. They don't have room for beds so it's supposed to be a roll-up one. My guess is that she'll be sharing it with one of her sisters (she has five) since it's so big and they all seem to share anyway. And I'm especially happy about the washing machine. Her mom has struggled for a long time and it's really my pleasure to help her. I can't imagine hand washing laundry all day. That must be murder on her body! Anyway, I'm just happy that I was finally able to send a big gift! I'm going to miss her terribly when she graduates - I hope she keeps in touch!

February 2011

February 15, 2011

I received a sweet letter from Ella in the mail today. I think I'd sent her two letter since I last heard from her (I'm bad with keeping track of days so I'd just as soon write preiodically and be surprised when I get something). She's clearly writing in reponse to what I wrote. It's very sweet, although it does sort of read like a second thank you note. I don't want her to feel like she needs to constantly thank me. I wish I was able to do more. Her letters mean so much to me though.

"Dear Ms. Clinton,

How are you? I am glad to have your letter. I am very happy reading your letter. You know being my sponsor is a big help to me and to my family. My mother can now relax because of her work that you make her easy to wash. We can now sleep well with the help of the foam that you gave us before that's why you are always in our hearts. We will never forget you. I stop working in the computer shop because of some reason instead I helped my mom. My sister who is beside me is 3rd eldest sister of mine. We are 8th children in our family with my single mother. Thank you and god bless.

Love lots,

Ella"

So I am a little worried about the fact that she lost one of her jobs and seems to be in training to take over what her mother is doing. I know that earlier she was maing more than her mother so this feels a bit like a financial blow - but maybe the machine has helped them be much more profitable (won't know until the new family record which is due in June). Also, this is the first time I've heard of there being 8 kids! Since I began sponsoring her it's said she has five sister - so 6 in total. I wonder if she means six kids in the house? I know her sister is married, live with them, and has at least one child.

February 22, 2011 - Well spoil me rotten! I just got a second letter from Ella. This time it's a CR letter. I feel a wee bit bad that she had to go in twice in such a short time period, but I also really love receiving so many beautiful letters. She's certainly my letter writer! (Although to be fair to the others, she also the oldest)

"Dear Ms. Clinton,

Happy New Year! How are you? I hope you're always fine an din good health to you and your family. I have many things to do at home during New Years day. My sister and her family went to visit us and joined the celebration of the New Years eve. My nieces were very happy playing and doing a lot of fun. Maybe they miss us, they were not bothered playing in our house even the space is small. My mother cooked food for the media noche. My sister gave money o my mother for another foods. We sing and dance. I joined them in playing too. We wateched fireworks outside. Were just at the street side so we saw a lot of fireworks. We enjoyed it very much.

After a week my sister and their family went back to the province because they will be back to school. Our house will be in silence again. I will be missing the noise of my nieces.

Thank you for your support, good bless.

Love,
Ella"

I just really loved how descriptive she was. This was a CR so she could write as much or about whatever she wanted. It's really a pleasure to see how much she wrote. I only found out last week that she apparently has more siblings than I ever knew of. However, this sounds like the visiting sister is the one that's on her account - she must have moved in the past year. It sounds like a great festival though. I'm sure it is hard though having her family break up and move.

March 2011

Ella got her DP package! This was actually dropped off at one of the centers for me so I knew the contents would be safe. I sent her a photo album, card, hardcover copy of The Secret Garden, and two necklaces. The photos are so she can see her journey and the rest are just items that I would have liked at her age. It wasn't a practical package, but it was something I hadn't wanted to do for a while (I've never sent her a package before!)

"Dear sponsor,

Hello! I am very happy to received the package you've sent to me. Thank you very much for all the support. You've been so nice to me and to my family. I really like to read books whenever I finished helping my mother or doing household chores. That is one of my past times the photo album, and the two necklaces. I really appreciate your kindness. All the things you've given to me are very precious and I will kept these wonderful gift that you gave. Thank you and god bless you and your family

Love lots,
Ella"

In the bottom space she drew the items that I gave her which is sweet. She's even smiling in one of her photos! No teeth still, and it seems a shy smile...but a smile is a smile! I was also happy to see that she mentioned that she loves to read. She hasn't really mentioned it before. I may have to send her some more books in the future!

July 2011

July 23rd - I feel like i've been waiting ages, but I've gotten another letter! It's in response to one i write in May. I really think she was surprised when I got my butt in gear and actually began writing her on a regular basis a couple eyars back. I hope this encourages her to keep in touch.

"Dear Ms. Clinton,

How are you today? Thank you for sending me a card. I enjoyed reading your letter. I'm so glad for giving me time, for all the support and attention. You're making me happy and inspired. As of now, i'm helping my family in my own little way. I am also helping my nieces in their school like doing their assignments but I'm happy in doing all these things.

Thank you and god bless.

Love,
Ella"

She's so ridiculously appreciative. I wish so much that she'd decided to go to college. But family is the most imporant thing for her, and that's as it should be. It sounds like she's mostly doing stuff at home to help the family. I wonder if her move caused her to lose her jobs. However, she's living with her neices now and i know she loves them. Although I do hope her phrasing is just a language barrier - I hope she's not doing their homework for them! No cheating on my watch ;) I'm sure she means helping them with their homework though. The filipino families all seem to have a good grasp on how important education is.

October 2011

October 30, 2011

"Dear Ms. Clinton,

Hi! I am now helping my mother in doing household chores together with my sister. Whenever my mother is doing her work. I'm the one staying at home and do all the works. Were just helping each other. When my neice have assignments I hope them.  In that way I was refresh I copy up what they are studying, even in that little way, I learn a lot.

To you my dear sponsor, I really want to thank you for all the support you've given to me. You really help us a lot and I will never forget you.

Love,
Ella"

I'm happy to have such a sweet letter from Ella, however I am slightly discouraged. It is what it is but it seems like she no longer works. No school and no work...I worry about what she will do in her future. Hopefully though there's more going on than I can garner from her letter. I do love how close she is with her whole family, every letter has such sweet things about the family included in it. I know the repairs and extension to the house were suppose to finish this week so hopefully I will have a follow-up on that in the upcoming weeks.

November 2011

I am beyond ecstatic that the follow-up to Ella's giant home improvement fundraiser came in!

tems bought (condensed):
Cement
Common nails (various types)
Door knob
Hinges
Kin dry lumber (various sizes)
Plywood
Rough Lumber
Sand (bistay)
Labor Fee

From the report:
"The field officer conducted the final ocular visit and checked the installed ceiling and conrete finished of the walls and the additional two bedrooms. The rooms are now completely finished with their respective door and lock. The family is very happy and thankful for the house repair/improvement because Ella Marie's wish to have a room of her own is now realized through the support of their sponsor. Now the children can enjoy privacy and comfort in their bedrooms.

Ella's thank you letter:

"Dear sponssor,

Hi! I am so happy for the support you gave to me and to my family. I will never forget your kindness. It will be a memorable one for us. My family are very happy also. We can now sleep well. I will treasure all the gifts you gave to me. Asd of now I am helping my sister in taking care of my nieces and nephew. Sometimes i look for a job so that I can help my family too.

Thank you very much.

Love,
Ella"

This is seriously one of the happiest moments of my life. Thank you soooo much to everyone who participated, and to those who gave words of encouragement. This will have a very long lasting positive effect on Ella and her family. It's really too wonderful for words!

I am sad that this letter confirms that Ella is unemployed again. I really wish that the family had let her go to college, but I know that at the time she was earning the majority of their income. I am happy however that this will benefit her so much. It's because of her that this has happened and that her family now has the space they need at home. I am confident that Ella will be able to find a job eventually, and until then she'll continue to be the great daughter/sister/aunt that she is. Her graduation will be bittersweet and I really hope that she stays in touch, but at least now I can feel assured that she'll at least have a good house to live in.