30 YEARS AND COUNTING This week marks 30 years since my first trip to the Philippines, a journey that unexpectedly propelled me towards financial empowerment. I had no idea what I was getting into when I volunteered to travel with Mylon & Broken Heart on their tour in the Philippines.  At that time they were […]

It’s been an interesting time for Hope For Change.  In many ways we’re entering into uncharted waters, new experiences! Directors James and Sarah Smith will be in Nagaland, India for another extended period of time also visiting Nepal. I am here in Manila starting the process of registering Hope For Change as a foundation here.  […]

I realized that I’ve been here over 3 weeks and have not written any blogs like I normally do.  Well, here you go! It’s been a very busy time with a lot of activities and visiting students…even a couple of touristy things thrown in which I normally don’t do much of.  This is the first […]

We’ve all seen that “status” about a relationship being complicated.  I thought of that as a good description for some of the situations we encounter here in this community we’re working in. This past week had it’s share of complicated situations.  For lack of time I’ll tell you about one…..Princess.  At an early age her […]

Sometimes it’s the simple things that have the biggest impact.  In the picture above is Dulce, one of the local staff here working everyday in the “Smokey Mountain” community in Tondo, Manila.  Today she led a team up the steep mountain that was the former garbage dump where there are people living, although they are […]

This year marks 25 years since my first trip to the Philippines.  In most situations, like a career, you start thinking about slowing down or retiring.  For me in many ways it feels like things are just starting to take off. Like the sign posted on my bedroom door when I arrived, this place has […]

It’s Monday morning here in Manila.  I arrived late Wednesday night and it’s been non-stop so far.  Friday evening I had a great time with the sponsored high school students at their weekly meeting…..what a fun bunch! Recently during one of the meetings they did a survey and one of the questions was “what is […]

It’s time to travel again.  Tomorrow morning I head back to Manila…..and after this never ending New York winter….I can’t wait! This marks my 24th year traveling to the Philippines.  It was that first trip that changed the course of my life.  All it took was one visit to a garbage dump community.  It was […]

Impressive Ludington Library in Brwn Mawr, Pennsylvania was the setting for Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority’s monthly meeting On Thursday evening, September 26, 2013. Sarah Anne Smith, Hope for Change International’s South Asia Director, was the featured guest  speaker at the Zeta Chapter of Professional Educators who emphasized “World Understanding” as the theme for the gathering. […]

This week, many hours have been spent interviewing potential elementary and high school students for the sponsorship program.  The  room has been filled with parents, students and brothers and sisters.  With so many in need here it’s hard to decide who should qualify.  During the interviews I observed a 12 year old who will be […]