Head of the House at Age 13

In the poorest parts of the world, you frequently find children responsible for a family.

Jarrod is 13 and is the breadwinner and protector of his five-person family. He lives outside of Manila in the Philippines. Each day, he goes into the jungle to find bananas, papayas, leaves and wood. Then, he scavenges through the garbage dump for food and items to sell. He has not attended school since he finished first grade.

Jarrod is the youngest of three children. His older brother, Gideon, was born with mental limitations. Gideon places his hand on Jarrod’s shoulder whenever they are together, leaning on his “big,” but much younger brother.

Jarrod’s sister, Selena, has returned home with her baby Sophie who she cares for. Their mother, Maria, is a single parent who began to suffer from mental illness when Jarrod was young. She also stays in the home much of the time.

Jarrod has great responsibilities for a 13-year-old. But, he is healthy enough to work hard every day to support his family. He knows life would be much harder for his family without the daily meals of nutritious, fortified rice provided by Feed The Hungry. As the family came for their daily bread, they heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ’s love for them. They have accepted Him as their Savior and have been baptised.

All of this hardship has only brought Jarrod closer to the Lord. His heart’s desire is to see his mother healthy again. He also prays to return to school.

Without friends, like you, this family may have collapsed. But, they survive and know the Lord and we see God at work through them.

Thank you for caring for sweet families like this one. Because of you, more people are coming to know the Lord each day, along with receiving lifesaving meals.