ICM Choir: Dreams To Inspire

Help support impoverished children in the Philippines to receive a complete education!

Over two years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented future of what the world would look like. Today, across the United States, the majority of schools have re-established in-person learning. Since returning to school, we have seen students fall months behind in their studies, struggling to adjust to a new norm. However, the challenges and struggles as we recover from the pandemic and face the new variants still remain.

 

For centuries, however, the hardships and struggles of many to receive an education endures. With millions of Filipino families living below the poverty line, now more than ever, the struggle to send children to school remains. Though the longing to receive an education to pull out of a cycle of poverty remains, financial hardships restrict these children from receiving an education that they deserve. When we complain about having to go to school, their families sacrifice food and basic necessities just to attend school; when we feel dejected with our college rejections, they work hard to find ways to afford their education.

 

Since 1992, International Care Ministries has provided help and hope to the ultra-poor families across the Philippines, and in 2009, the ICM choir began. Composer and songwriter, Louise Joachimowski began rehearsing with 14 children, who quickly began performing for ICM’s programs. Today, the choir family consists of 26 members. After obtaining their high school diploma, the ICM children study for four years to receive their college degree. Yet, for many of the families, it seems impossible to afford the expensive college tuition when they are barely getting by with limited income. With the help of ICM, 15 children have been able to receive (or are studying to receive) their college degree. However, poverty is complex.

 

Daryl grew up in the slums of Bacolod in the Philippines with his parents and sisters. His father worked as a tricycle driver, which didn’t provide consistent income. Many days, his father made less than US$4 per day, barely enough for two meals for five people in his family. One day, Daryl auditioned for the ICM Children’s Choir which would impact his life. The choir allowed him and the other members to travel across the Philippines, Hong Kong, and even to The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. The ICM Children’s choir offered a scholarship for Daryl to attend high school and college. After graduating, he joined ICM to give back to the very impoverished communities just like the one in which he grew up. He now works for ICM in Hong Kong, making his dreams a reality.

 

With your help, Dreams To Inspire hopes to raise funds to send our choir, 11 current secondary students, and more Filipino children to receive a college education and achieve their dreams. In doing so, you will not only change the life of one child, but the lives of families and communities breaking the cycle of poverty. Compared to attending college in the US, in the Philippines children can attend college for as little as US$1800-2200 per academic year at a public college. We ask you to support these children in one day seeing their dreams, instilling hope, and helping others do the same.

Every donation matters and will make a difference in the lives of these children!

Thank you,

Aya Albolote & the ICM choir

Follow @icmchoir on Instagram and Facebook to meet the kids and find out more!