A Hungry Princess

Rey and Jema have one dream: to give their 4-year-old granddaughter a better life.  Princess was 3-months old when her mother abandoned her.   

“I’m love it here with grandma and grandpa!” said Princess.

Rain or shine, Grandpa Rey worked hard to provide for his family’s needs. But then a typhoon destroyed their coconut trees and the rice he’d planted. So grandpa worked other jobs to pay the modest fees for Princess to attend school.    

“It was hard,” said Grandpa. “I borrowed rice plants from other farmers. I promised them half of my harvest. We didn’t have enough food to survive till the next harvest.”

When their money ran out grandma had to buy food on credit.   And when princess got sick they had to borrow money for medicine.   

“When I have a high fever  I shivered a lot!” demonstrated Princess.  “Grandma takes care of me though.”

One day Princess went to a feeding program sponsored by CBN’s  Orphan’s Promise.  For the first in a long-time Princess ate a healthy lunch with peas and lots of other fresh vegetables.   

“The stew is my favorite. It tastes good,” said Princess with a toothless grin.  

"She’s always excited to go for lunch at the  center,” said Grandma Jema. “I’m so happy she is eating fruits and vegetables.  She hasn’t gotten sick ever since she came to the program.”

We then trained grandma and helped her start a business to increase the family’s income.

“I started food-vending business,” said Grandma. “I kept adding items to the menu.  And my food always sells out!”      

“Damo nga salamat, CBN!” said Princess in Tagalog.  (Thank you CBN!)