11-year-old Khaleeqa just completed 4th grade. Her family, was among those forcibly relocated from a reclamation area in Manila to a city outside the metro—making their already difficult living conditions even more challenging. She excitedly and proudly told Kelvin and Lucy when they visited her club, “This is my first time getting on the honor roll!” Since joining Launch Club, Khaleeqa has not only grown academically—she’s also been discovering more about Jesus and, even coming from a Muslim background, now reads her Bible every day. She’s looking forward to starting 5th grade and continuing her streak as an honors student.

Despite the challenges of poverty, Launch Club children are discovering hope by learning to trust God through prayer. Each week, at “Jesus Huddles”, mentors guide small groups to reflect on lessons from church, Bible readings, and their prayer lives.John Michael, a 3rd grader from a family in extreme poverty, shared an inspiring testimony in one of these huddles. With excitement, he told his group that after praying for healing, Jesus cured him of dengue fever. Stories like John Michael’s remind us of the power of faith and prayer in transforming lives, even in the hardest circumstances.

Melanie’s story is one of pain, resilience, and redemption.
Her parents separated when she was a baby. Her mother, still addicted to drugs, had seven children by different men. Melanie met her father only once—on his deathbed—and felt nothing. She was raised by relatives, but when she was in third grade, she was sexually abused by her uncle.
Even amid this trauma, Melanie excelled in school and graduated elementary with honors. But with no one to support her, she dropped out. At 15, she became a mother—and for three years in a row, she gave birth to a child each year.
Still determined to create a better life, she completed her high school equivalency—only to discover she had never been legally registered. When she asked her mother for help, the money she gave her was taken and never used for her papers.
Then God stepped in.
A Christian family welcomed Melanie and her children into their home. They introduced her to Jesus, connected her to a local church, and showed her the love she never had growing up.
​Now, as a Launch Club mentor, Melanie sees herself in the children’s stories—and is determined to help them avoid the pain and trauma she once endured by pointing them to the healing love of Jesus.