George H.W. Bush secretly sponsored Filipino boy, letters reveal

Agence France-Presse

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/overseas/04/25/george-hw-bush-rtr-2018-2018-042518.jpg"/><figcaption>Former US president George H.W. Bush was being treated for a blood infection on Tuesday after being admitted to a Texas hospital shortly after the funeral of his wife, Barbara. <em>File/Adrees Latif, Reuters</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>CHICAGO, United States -- To the boy in the Philippines, his American benefactor and source of kind letters and gifts was known simply as &quot;G. Walker.&quot;</p><p>To the Christian charity helping him keep his benevolence secret from the world, he was George Herbert Walker Bush -- the 41st president of the United States. </p><p>Compassion International, which helps poor children around the world through a network of local churches, revealed for the first time this week that the late president, who died last month, had quietly sponsored a Filipino boy named Timothy for 10 years. </p><p>The organization released a number of Bush&#x27;s heartwarming letters to his young charge. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1396300" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>&quot;I want to be your new pen pal,&quot; Bush wrote in his initial letter sent on January 24, 2002.</p><p>&quot;I am an old man, 77 years old, but I love kids; and though we have not met, I love you already,&quot; said the former president, identifying himself as a resident of Texas.</p><p>Bush&#x27;s former press secretary Jim McGrath confirmed to AFP the authenticity of the letters. </p><p>&quot;This is but one of seemingly countless acts of kindness that George Bush performed through the years without fanfare, but rather because it was what was in his heart,&quot; McGrath said. </p><p>Bush began sponsoring Timothy with a monthly donation in 2002 until his graduation from the charitable program in 2012. Through all of that time, Bush&#x27;s true identity was kept secret due to security concerns. </p><p>At times, Bush&#x27;s letters contained hints of his true identity, such as one in which he wrote: &quot;I got to go to the White House at Christmas time. Here is a little booklet that I got at the White House in Washington.&quot;</p><p>In others, he offered gentle advice. </p><p>&quot;I sure hope you like school and athletics. I do. I am an old man -- now 78 -- but I feel young at heart,&quot; Bush wrote.</p><p>Bush also occasionally sent gifts to Timothy, who spoke in his letters of loving to draw, and playing basketball and guitar. </p><p>&quot;I&#x27;d like to thank you for the letter you sent me, as well as the drawing pad, colored pen and colored pencil,&quot; Timothy wrote in 2004. </p><p>At age 17, he graduated out of the program and a charity employee revealed to him the identity of his pen pal. Timothy was stunned, the organization told US media. </p><p>The charity has since lost touch with Timothy, but its former president Wess Stafford is sure of Bush&#x27;s impact on the young man&#x27;s life.</p><p>&quot;We may not know where Timothy is, but we know he&#x27;s now living a successful life,&quot; Stafford told CNN. </p>

<p>Compassion International, which helps poor children around the world through a network of local churches, revealed for the first time this week that the late president, who died last month, had quietly sponsored a Filipino boy named Timothy for 10 years. </p>

Compassion International, which helps poor children around the world through a network of local churches, revealed for the first time this week that the late president, who died last month, had quietly sponsored a Filipino boy named Timothy for 10 years.

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George H.W. Bush secretly sponsored Filipino boy, letters reveal

George H.W. Bush secretly sponsored Filipino boy, letters reveal

Agence France-Presse

Published Dec 20, 2018 09:39 AM PHT

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Updated Dec 20, 2018 11:52 AM PHT

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George H.W. Bush

Philippines

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