Maribel Vendiola is an LCW/LCP graduate, and is now a very successful teacher in a municipality just outside of Dumaguete. However, at one point in her life, she wondered if she would ever be able to go to school, and she worried about having even her most basic needs provided for her. Maribel was raised by her grandparents because her biological parents left her for their own respective families. Her grandparents did their best to provide for her, but they struggled to make ends meet and put food on the table.

In 1997, as a preschooler, Maribel became a member of LCP and became eligible for LCW sponsorship. She and her grandparents were faithful with their participation and SWAP for three full years before she was  sponsored. In 2000, Tim and Kelley Turner answered God’s call to sponsor Maribel and change her life forever. She continued to work hard in school and at LCP. She remembers how grateful she was just to have the opportunity for an education. She grew up to be a very bright honors student, always at the top of her class. Maribel attended NORSU and completed a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, Major in Math with the help of her sponsors and Ellen Flanagan, her college donor.

After graduating, Maribel served as the Little Children of the Philippines Preschool Program Coordinator for 1 year to show her appreciation to the organization who helped her complete her education and to gain valuable work experience.  Now, Maribel has been a teacher for the public school system for over 7 years.  Currently, she teaches 7th grade and is doing very well in her career. However, she always credits LCP for the financial, educational, and spiritual assistance she received. She knows that, without LCP, she would have no hope, and she never would have known about Jesus or have a relationship with him.

As a teacher during the COVID-19 pandemic, Maribel has really had to lean on the values she learned at LCP and look to God as her strength. As a 7th grade teacher, she has to complete 364 individual modules every week for distribution and for grading. She echoes the sentiments of all teachers during this time because it has truly been a struggle to be sure learning continues even without in-person classes. Her hard work, as well as the hard work of all the teachers during this time, does not go unnoticed. We are so proud to have so many graduates doing so well in their careers as teachers, and giving back to help the next generation through education. Thank you Maribel for being such a shining light of the hope that LCW/LCP can bring an individual. Keep up the good work, and let’s look forward to next year!