Stories
Scroll below to read inspiring stories about people like you who are fulfilling their purpose by empowering the poor. Subscribe to our ER Newsletter, via the link in our footer.
Grandmother’s Advocacy Rescues Aziza
Today we revisit the story of a student whose future once appeared hopeless. Because of some unfortunate circumstances, her mother could not care for Aziza, who was suffering poor emotional and physical health. Fortunately, Aziza's grandmother took her in and started...
Move Over, Coco, Ralph and Vera, You’ve Got Competition
Meet the Philippines' newest fashion designer...ER'S Anne Benavidez! Anne trained for nine long years to accomplish this designation. It required countless hours and many sleepless nights. As a wife, mom, leader in the church, and as the head of Golden Hands...
University Nurses Provide Health Screenings to Dream Center Kids
The people who volunteer to help at-risk families are awesome. We're thankful for such volunteers, like a team from the University of South Carolina (USC) that traveled to Fish Hoek, South Africa. The nursing students brought joy and excitement to the Dream Center....
‘When I Look at Them, I See Me’
Raymond Sumaya grew up in an extreme section of Makati City, part of Metro Manila. He refers to it as a slum, 'where people struggle to find jobs, housing, food and education." These conditions did not defeat him. Instead, they filled Raymond with drive, passion and...
ER Loses a Great Friend, Pierre Roux
The following stories pay tribute to ER heroes - those who have lived sacrificially in order to serve others. We hope you are inspired by their lives. It is with great sadness we share the passing of longtime ER partner Pierre Roux, who led Africa To Asia Innovative...
Teacher, Teacher: Dream Center Student Helps Others
Mutsa*, age 8, is a grade 3 student who has been enrolled in the Fish Hoek Dream Center for two years. She is full of joy and laughter. She is easily excited and sees the best in every situation. She dreams of being a teacher and often helps the kids who are...
Once Angry and Unfocused, Thabo Now Boldly Shares His Faith
Thabo's story demonstrates the incredible value of patiently investing in the futures of at-risk kids. By Amy Townsend, Fish Hoek Dream Center Co-Director Thabo* began attending the Fish Hoek Dream Center in 2016 as a Grade 1 learner. He started when the Dream Center...
Spitfire Turns From Trouble
Prior to joining the Cavite Dream Center (DC) in Metro Manila, Maggie* was a five-year-old spitfire, perhaps even a troublemaker. Even though she has a family and a home, she spent too much time on the streets acting out like other street kids. After she enrolled in...
Donor Accountability and Transparency
We're pleased to share that Extreme Response International has reached Candid's GoldSeal of Transparency again for 2022. This achievement helps demonstrate our desire for donor transparency in all we do. Whether you are making your first gift to Extreme Response or...
You Helped Madi Triumph Over Tragedies
ER's Anne Benavidez shares the inspirational story of Madi, whose life has been positively disrupted through ER's Golden Hands life skills program in Metro Manila. Supporters like you make this possible. Madilyn "Madi" Urbano, 41, is a widow and a mother of two kids,...
Annalie Is Realizing Her Dream through the Power of Relationships
By Amy Townsend, Fish Hoek Dream Center Co-Director Annalie* has endured tremendous hardship in her life, which is why her story will resonate deeply with you. Annalie, age 13, and her younger sister, Zonja*, age 7, are part of the Fish Hoek Dream Center and attend a...
Pastors, Leaders, Marriages Get Encouraged
By Brice Wilson, Africa Region Director Three members of Grace Community Church, Tyler, TX, flew to South Africa to provide teaching, encouragement, and training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). The trio led two conferences, totalling 48 pastors, church leaders, and...
Hope For Kids: Back to School
Meet Sydney*, a child who successfully completed eighth grade because of her perseverance and the support of her Dream Center teachers! The start of a new school year is often a time of excitement and anticipation here in the United States, and many students see...
Find Your Joy as a Volunteer
Hannah Doubles Down on Mentoring Kids Last year we shared about volunteer Hannah Townsend (scroll below), who started a mentoring program at ER's Fish Hoek Dream Center in South Africa. We're thrilled she is continuing through 2022. She's now 23 and a senior attending...
Fulfill Your Purpose in the Philippines
So you've heard about short-term volunteering overseas and you're intrigued. But, you wonder, where in the world should you go and how can you make a real impact? Fortunately for you, we have the solution to your dilemma - connect with Extreme Response in the...
After the Mud: Hope, Supplies, Repairs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rJ0WctaJjM On Jan. 31, 2022, a huge mudslide triggered by the heaviest rainfall in Ecuador for nearly 20 years killed 26 people in the Quito, triggering disaster response from Extreme Response. Dozens of were injured and scores were...
Vocational Training: Veggie Tales And Miracles
Steve and Anne Haag epitomize the concept of using your passions to help others through vocational training. Could God use a pole climber (fiber optics) and a greenhouse worker with prior addiction issues? That's a resounding "yes". Today they are ER staff running...
Truth Trumps Kids’ Insecurity
Insecurity – 1. uncertainty or anxiety about oneself; lack of confidence. 2. the state of being open to danger or threat; lack of protection. (Oxford Online Dictionary) Insecurity feels like a dirty word and yet it is something I’m certain we have all faced. It’s far...