'Unbound supported me, so now I can support others'

For a child born into poverty, the desire for something better can sometimes feel out of reach. Even when driven by personal conviction and a strong sense of self-belief, it can be hard to know how to take the next step or even what the next step might be.

For many, continuing their education and attending university is a dream. It is a way to move beyond current circumstances and build a path to a better life for oneself and one’s family. But achieving such a goal is rarely a smooth or straight path, and it is far more accessible with the support of others.

The stories of former Unbound scholarship recipients Niño Godio, Luisa Maria Pablo Ajuchán and James Musyoki demonstrate how receiving financial assistance from Unbound, combined with their own personal persistence, can break the cycle of poverty to place a student, their family and even community members on a better path.

Around 40% of Unbound staff members globally are former scholars, sponsored members or other program participants. Today Godio, Ajuchán and Musyoki serve as Unbound staff members, and their presence, personal experiences and lessons learned are instrumental in how they serve and support the children and families of their communities.

Initiative and resilience spark commitment to help others

Niño Godio of the Philippines wanted to be an inspiration to other youth, and having such a goal required persistence and initiative.

Godio learned about the Unbound Scholarship Program when he was asked to help other students translate their scholarship letters into English. Here, he saw the potential education offered to open doors.

When Godio learned he would likely need to leave school early because of his father’s failing health, he decided to take matters into his hands and write his own appeal to the Unbound Scholarship Program asking for help in finishing his studies.

The program coordinator was so impressed with Godio’s initiative that she sent the staff to look for Godio and offer him a place as an Unbound scholar for the next two years.

The scholarship allowed him to finish his education degree and receive assistance with class expenses, tuition and transportation costs.

After graduating with honors and a Bachelor of Science in Office Administration, Godio began working for the Unbound Antipolo program in the Philippines, where he’s worked for the last 15 years.

He works on the finance team currently but also served as a social development worker. It’s been a journey that has taught him things he couldn’t learn in school.

His work with Unbound has allowed him to step up as the sole provider of his family, paying for food, bills, and regular health checkups and medication for his parents.

“The work is challenging, and I must be humble,” he said. “Prayers are my power to accomplish everything that needs to be done. Support from Unbound allowed me to continue, and this support was the answer to my prayers.”

Rising above circumstances

James Musyoki had a goal to support himself financially and help meet the needs of his family. As a sponsored child through Unbound in Kenya for nine years, Musyoki saw firsthand how sponsorship can help people become self-sufficient.

Support from the Unbound community was critical for Musyoki. Sponsorship allowed him to access education through financial assistance, and the additional scholarship funds helped him with fees, transportation and rent during his studies.

Unbound support can also include creating job opportunities for individuals, like Musyoki, who are willing to serve their community in return.

After finishing his education, Musyoki secured a role as a social worker with Unbound’s Nairobi program as an opportunity to give back and empower others.

Unbound was there at a time of need, and Musyoki now works with mothers and families in Kenya who are experiencing similar situations.

“I was once in a community within Unbound because I was sponsored,” Musyoki said. “My life has changed because now I am an educated person, and this has motivated me to work as a social worker to support the community and to inspire and guide them.”

Education and persistence serve as a model of hope for others

Luisa María Pablo Ajuchán was 6 years old when she was sponsored through Unbound in Guatemala. Raised by a single mother, Ajuchán was encouraged to pursue a path of education to improve the quality of her life and the lives of those around her.

In high school, she studied education and graduated with a secondary education teaching degree. During this time, she also taught herself the traditional embroidery work that she had observed her mother doing. This was valuable as Ajuchán earned her living doing embroidery and temporary jobs to support herself as she studied for university.

When her plan to study law proved to be too costly, she decided that her secondary education degree from high school would inform her path to study pedagogy and educational administration.

As an Unbound scholarship student, she received help for groceries and clothing in addition to construction materials and furniture to improve her living conditions. Financial support also helped cover her study expenses. As part of her service commitment, she helped sponsored children in the community with their studies.

In 2023, Ajuchán became part of the Unbound Guatemala staff as a social promoter and serves as an inspirational reminder of the positive trajectory for Unbound sponsored and scholarship students.

We don’t always find the support we want or need at certain times, but God is good and he has plans for us,” she said. “Unbound is not only freedom, but also a light of hope. Unbound supported me, so now I can support others.”

Together, these individuals demonstrate the powerful and positive long-term ripple effect of sponsorship and scholarship on service and compassion.

Unbound regional reporters Tristan John Cabrera, Nickson Ateku and Oscar Tuch contributed information and photos for this story.