Clearing Obstacles from the Path to Success: Khianna’s Story

Showing up for school isn’t the same as showing up ready to learn.

A child who arrives tired after a long walk to school may struggle to stay awake and focused. A child who can’t afford notebooks and writing tools is unable to complete homework assignments or practice the skills they’re learning. And a child going to class without enough to eat will struggle to concentrate and can experience long-term setbacks in their education.

These challenges can be worse in rural communities, where limited resources and infrastructure can contribute to poverty, hunger, and poorer educational outcomes.

In these situations, parents are often doing everything they can to support their children, making the most of what they have.

But what if they didn’t have to do it alone?

For this family in the Philippines, support from Feed the Children is helping remove some of the obstacles standing between their daughter and an education.

Six-year-old Khianna is a first-grader in a coastal community, far away from the nearest city. Her parents do their best to make sure Khianna gets the most out of school. Her mother makes sure that Khianna goes to school in clean, comfortable clothing. Her father takes time away from work to drive her to school on his motorcycle, so she’ll arrive fresh and ready to learn.

And thanks to Feed the Children’s donor-supported programs, Khianna will also show up to class with a backpack full of supplies and a nourishing meal waiting for her at lunchtime.

Both Khianna and her parents are grateful for the things they receive. The family struggles financially, and her mother says that all their expendable income goes towards making sure they can eat, leaving nothing left to contribute to Khianna’s education. Feed the Children helps bridge that gap, helping this hardworking family with the resources they need to continue building opportunities for their daughter.

Khianna is determined to make the most of what she’s been given. She shines in class, and has completed her first year of learning with academic honors. She’s set her sights on a career as a nurse, a role that will allow her to give back to her community by helping those in need.

The path ahead is still long. But Khianna is starting her journey with the tools she needs. With the love and guidance of her parents, and support from Feed the Children, she’s taking the first steps toward the future she dreams of.