Send Vulnerable Filipino Children to School

In April 2019, Fundacion Ponferrada Van Stone Inc.(FPVI) admitted to its Learning Program 3 elementary school graduates moving up to Grade 7. Painfully shy and absolutely silent at the onset, they were recommended by their teachers for their academic abilities and the dire economic situation of their families. In April 2025, Marky, Hannah and Lyka completed their high school education with aplomb, all with high commendation. This August, Marky starts an agricultural engineering course at the Visayas State University in Baybay, 114 kms from Tunga, where FPVI is based, and Lyka will study Biological Sciences at Leyte Normal University in Tacloban, the capital city of Leyte. Hannah is studying Nursing at Biliran School of Nursing and Health Sciences in Naval, also a considerable distance from home. But they are ready!

Proud as we are of their achievements, we believe that theirs and the Foundation’s greatest accomplishments are the character and values transformation that we saw evolve in each of them in the 6 years they were with us --- the discipline of attending and participating actively in the FPVI Sunday sessions; the gradual learning of personal responsibilities; the discipline of handling weekly transportation and lunch allowances; the caring relationships they established with each other and with the other FPVI students and volunteers; the slow realization that what they have to say counted; and the recognition of their own capabilities.

Puberty is when major physical changes occur and its attendant issues happen. Marky, Hannah and Lyka navigated those challenging years while with FPVI, especially during the pandemic, but the many experiences they have had helped them to mature earlier and be wiser, as Marky puts it. He says further, “I will always remember the painful moments of realizing my big mistakes and the awareness that followed. Those moments allowed me to fully understand what growing up means and what I needed to do. Now I’m ready for college!”

For her part, Hannah says, “Being part of the FPVI family has been life-changing. Our writing skills improved when we read books, kept a journal and participated in activities such as Open Mic and Theater Arts to develop our self-confidence. We also had bonus learnings that broadened our minds and made us proud of the work we produced. For example, holding a paint brush was my dream as a little girl. I think I produced more than 20 paintings in my time at FPVI and I enjoyed making them!” 

Lyka states that “FPVI taught us things outside of our school work to help us express ourselves better. Those activities gave me relief as they took some of the grief of losing my parents, one after the other. Our learning also extended to short excursions outside Tunga. In the summer of 2024 and 2025, we learned the responsibility of being Reading Mentors to younger children in our community. In all these, we learned that kindness, respect and consideration for others are important in all that we do. I will carry that learning with me as I go to college and do more growing up!”