Your monthly contribution changes the life and future of a young person

Discovery Team 2022

Help to make Onesimo known!

We would be happy to introduce Onesimo to your congregation, home or activity group or in your company and report on current activities and initiatives. This is a good opportunity to make Onesimo known and to encourage people to donate to Onesimo or to start with a sponsorship.

If you are interested and this is an option for you, please feel free to contact us.

Rony*, 11

"After school, I usually played in the street and went home to our slum in the evening. Together with friends I did stupid things like throwing stones on the street or beating up children who slept with their families on the sidewalk. My friends went begging, but I was ashamed and preferred to sell rosaries. At school I was often laughed at. I probably smelled of the street and the dirty river water. When I resisted, it ended in a fight. Sometimes we tried to steal something at the market. We would knock over the tables and grab clothes and fruits. If I did something wrong at home, my father would beat me until I cried. I am happy that I have now been accepted at the Onesimo learning centre. Here I am not only learning for school, but for life. I am also learning a lot about God and can practice a new, healthy life. My parents are also learning here how to educate us children."

*Names changed

Jennalyn*, 16

"Before I came to Onesimo, I lived on the street, didn't go to school and didn't know God. Because my mother and stepfather separated, I was hurt and my life was a mess. A social worker noticed that I was being beaten by my mother. She took me to a government facility when I was just eleven years old. Everything was new, I had no friends and was very sad. Then I was taken to Onesimo. Here, many things had changed for the better. I was given a proper place to sleep, had friends and people who responded patiently to my tantrums. It was like a new family. I am grateful to Onesimo for everything, including the fact that I can now go to school. I dream of becoming a social worker myself one day and of finding my father and my real family who genuinely love me."

*Names changed

Annabel*, 15

"We are many siblings and half-siblings from different mothers and fathers. Because we were not safe from our father, mother moved us to relatives in the province. Unfortunately, we didn't fare any better there. Our aunt hated us and we were scolded at every opportunity, beaten and injuries were inflicted on us daily. Our mother's new boyfriend tried to rape me. I told mum and she told me to keep quiet and not to tell anyone. So I fled to my older sister in Manila. She told me about people who could help me. That's how I came to Onesimo, where I met the house mother, Julie Ann. With her help, I can make good decisions and get along with the other girls. Here I can start a new life and forget the bad experiences."

*Names changed

Reynaldo*, 20

"We are eight siblings, but my father and older brother became ill and died. We experienced great poverty. My mother and another brother got us through, but there was not enough money for me to finish school. To make up for this, I came to Manila alone. Unfortunately, I started spending a lot of time playing computer games and became addicted to them. Fortunately, I was able to stay away from other bad influences. I believed in God, and I definitely didn't want to get totally lost. Then Pastor Cesar from the neighborhood told me about Onesimo and invited me. Immediately, hope arose in me to be able to help my family one day. I believe that God brought me here. So I want to grab this chance and hope that I will also manage to stop playing computer games."

*Names changed