As a widow living just outside of Manila in the Philippines, Tess’s dream of one day seeing her two daughters graduate from college seemed just that–a dream. Her husband had died suddenly of a heart attack when she was only 32, leaving Tess the sole provider for their two young girls.
Tess worked hard in her sari-sari (variety) store to provide for her family’s basic needs, but she knew it wasn’t enough to someday pay for university tuition.
But in 2006, a friend invited Tess to join a Bible study with the Center for Community Transformation (CCT), HOPE’s partner in the Philippines. She was skeptical at first—even though Tess had been a lifelong Catholic, she often felt intimidated reading Scripture. But her friend was persistent, and Tess soon joined the group.
As she studied the Bible with her neighbors, Tess gradually began to understand the Good News at the heart of her Christian faith. She shares, “It’s through the fellowship meetings that I developed an intimate relationship with God which transformed my life.”
With a newfound sense of purpose and trust in God, Tess worked diligently to prepare her daughters for college even as she remained uncertain about how she would pay for their tuition. When CCT staff invited her to join a savings group, she jumped on the opportunity.
Tess faithfully saved $8 (U.S.) a week and eventually took out a loan of $70 from her group to buy more inventory for her store. She began to sell mineral water, school supplies, and cell phone minutes from three different providers—variety that Tess directly credits for the growing success of her shop.
With further loans from CCT, Tess has transformed her family’s small, wooden house into a two-story cement home, big enough for her elderly parents to live with her, too.
Today, Tess is able to pay tuition for both of her daughters and has even helped several of her nieces pay for their school fees. Her entrepreneurial endeavors are also thriving—in addition to her store, she now runs a second business selling health and wellness products. “I would say that I am now financially free and I am growing spiritually by God’s grace.”
Now that her daughters have finished college, Tess’s next dream is to start a printing shop and a commercial rental business. And in all of this, she shares, “I pray that I will be able to reach more lives for Christ.”
Praise God for Tess’ story! For more stories from the Philippines, read how Edgar escaped homelessness to discover a passion for cooking or how Liza built the trucking business she’d prayed for for three years. Or, give today to help more people like Tess access the hope of the Gospel and financial services.
