PAYATAS, Quezon City — “I want to become a doctor someday! I want to help people the way Operation Blessing helped our community.”

This is a promise from four-year-old Alfeis. His mother Minda admitted her husband was hesitant at first to allow their son to join the Bless-a-Child program of Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines (OB), the humanitarian arm of the Christian Broadcasting Network Asia.

“We are Muslims, and we had this thought that we might be mistreated because of discrimination,” Minda said. “But wholeheartedly, OB accepted us, including our son.”

OB’s Bless-a-Child program addresses the various needs of beneficiary children in Payatas. Pre-schoolers, especially the underweight, are provided nutritious meals, along with monthly medical checkups and education scholarships, for one whole school year.

Alfeis ranked first honor at his nursery school and received three special awards. His parents are very grateful for his improvement not only in academics, but in his health as well.

“The way Operation Blessing helped my friends and schoolmates, I will help other people, too, when I grow up,” Alfeis promised.

“I want to become a policeman someday!” seven-year-old Axel told OB. He also graduated top in his preschool class and received eight special awards.

“I am blessed by OB’s dedication to reach out to our community. They’re always here in Payatas, rain or shine,” Rose Talaman, Axel’s mother, gratefully said. “Thank you also for imparting values on how to raise godly children.”

Axel also made his cheerful promise: “Next school year, I promise Mama to excel more on my studies. I will always do my best!”

A total of 43 children in Payatas are moving up to next school year, thanks to Operation Blessing partners who fervently supported the Bless-a-Child program.

To know how you, too, can uplift community children not just in Payatas but around the country, call Operation Blessing at (02) 477-7802 to inquire about their various outreaches.