Hi, my name is Joel, and back in April I was fortunate enough to spend some time working in the Philippines (I’m a teacher). During this experience, I had the privilege of meeting 17-year-old Popo (pictured above with his mum).

Popo comes from a remote village on Bantayan Island, north of Cebu. He is one of the most caring and kind young people I’ve ever met. He’s deeply committed to his Catholic faith and is a hard-working student with big dreams for his future.

Thanks to his dedication, Popo recently completed his Year 12 studies—an amazing achievement in itself. But now, he’s facing the reality that, due to limited opportunities in the Philippines, further study may not be possible.

That’s why I’ve started this fundraiser: to help sponsor Popo so he can continue his education and achieve great things.

It’s hard to put into words what an amazing person Popo is. This fundraiser might seem like a small step, but for Popo, it could be life-changing. Any support you can offer—big or small—will go directly towards helping him pursue his dreams. Due to the connections I have made, I can guarantee that any money donated will go directly to Popo's tuition and other expenses related to his studies.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read his story.