Children International Featured Story: Helen - Living Among the Dead

Singer Debbie Gibson commemorates decades of service by returning to the Philippines to advocate on behalf of poor children with Children International, a U.S.-based humanitarian organization.

According to the Philippine National Statistical Coordination Board, one in four families lives in poverty. Gibson, who has supported Children International since 1990, visited Manila to raise awareness for the issue of child poverty and her personal experience with the charity.

"There are so many children living in horrible conditions. I cannot imagine being a child and being born into this, and never knowing what it's like to have clean clothes for one thing," said Gibson.

While in Manila, she met a poor child named Helen. She and her family are so poor they live in a local cemetery. Helen is 7 years old and has five brothers and sisters. Evelyn, Helen's mother, earns $11 a month as a day laborer and barely makes enough to feed her children. Their home is nothing more than a small, hastily built piece of scrap metal covering a burial crypt in the cemetery. They guard the burial crypt for the family of the deceased in return for the "shelter" it provides them.

Helen, who is now sponsored through Children International's program, joins nearly 80,000 impoverished children in the Philippines who have access to medical care, dental care, educational assistance and nutritional help through Children International.

To learn more about Children International and request a FREE Sponsorship Information kit, follow this link: http://www.children.org/AChildJustForYouDM3-ChildrenInternational.asp?rs_id=217

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• children international
• philippines
• poverty
• helen
• debbie gibson
• deborah gibson

[2marshmellow]

Don't have children if you can't afford to take care of them.Your doing a great job, but they have to be responsible adults as well.

[812edward]

No offense but, just like in India, couples find a location to conceive a baby, knowing they barely have enough to feed themselves. How could they think it's okay to bring a child into the world where there is poverty, no home, no water, no electricity, & food?

[creeingles]

Great work, Deborah. :))

[maverickisback]

If you read this, Debbie, I think you are doing excellent work and these people are very fortunate to have your support. I wish you the best and hope someday I am in a position to dedicate my time like you have. I am going to look for places I can go on Long Island to support this cause. I have friends from the Philippines that live there and here in the USA. Best wishes, always for you and of the people

[str8boypatryk]

very disturbing... thank you for sharing with us...

[Kathybabe4]

A great thing Debbie is doing!

[chestnutmedia]

What a great way to help people! You are an inspiration, thank you for your philanthropy.

[jephreyproduction]

@mrwaikit1986 that's why Debbie says if you make a donation, you will be helping other children like Helen. Helen just happens to be one of the kids she's sponsoring and helping. Pay attention to the keywords: "other children" this just happens to be Helen's story. I'm sure there are more kids who need help.

[radiotubes]

God Bless our mom's Prayers to them.

[rhythmslave1922]

THIS IS SO HEART BREAKING.....

THANK YOU DEBBIE FOR SHARING THIS..