How God Lifted Anjoe From Poverty

In the heart of a crowded squatter community in the Philippines, noise filled the streets and rain slipped easily through thin wooden walls. There, a young boy named Anjoe learned early what it meant to live with little—and to hope for much.

26 Jan, 2026

Anjoe's childhood home was made of wood, fragile against the storms that swept through their neighbourhood. When the rain came, it didn’t just fall outside; it entered the house, soaking the floors where the family of seven ate, studied and slept. There was no table, no separate rooms, no quiet corners for homework. Meals were shared on the floor.

Life in the squatter area was unpredictable. Neighbours argued loudly through thin walls. People lingered outside smoking or drinking. The ground was often wet from families washing clothes outside. Even the simple act of walking home from school meant arriving with a once‑white uniform stained red from the dust.

Yet in the middle of the noise and scarcity, something steady held Anjoe together: God’s presence. It was this presence he found expressed through the people placed in his life through his local church.

A place of safety

When Anjoe entered the Compassion program as a child, everything began to shift. He would run excitedly to the centre, drawn first by the promise of food—warm meals, second helpings, even third. But what kept him coming back was far deeper.

Local church staff created events where children could explore their talents, such as singing, drawing or performing. It was a place where creativity was nurtured and where children like Anjoe discovered gifts they didn’t know they had.

The centre awakened something unexpected in Anjoe: a love for music. When he received his first guitar, he discovered a joy that would arise every time he picked up the instrument. He and his friends would play together, learning new chords, songs and ways to express themselves.

“We played a lot at the church, from morning to evening. It was like a second home to us,” says Anjoe.

Music became his refuge, and eventually, his ministry.

A calling to serve

As Anjoe grew, music became the bridge that connected him more deeply to God. He began writing songs—pieces inspired by Scripture, filled with themes of gratitude and giving glory back to God.

His ministry began simply: a young man playing guitar in church. But God had more in store.

Today, Anjoe is part of his church’s pastoral team. After demonstrating a gift, he was entrusted with a significant responsibility: preaching every second Sunday. What once felt impossible—standing where his pastors stood—has become one of the greatest joys of his life.

He remembers sitting in the pews as a child, listening to sermons and wondering what his future might hold. Now he stands at the front, sharing the gospel with the youth in the community, telling his story and teaching the same lessons that shaped him.

“They need to hear the gospel,” Anjoe says. “I was once there, too. Now I’m the one talking to them.”

For him, preaching is not a task. It is a blessing and a way to honour the God who carried him through hardship.

A father passing down a legacy of worship

Beyond the church walls, Anjoe’s ministry continues at home.

He is a father of two—a delightful little girl and an energetic seven‑year‑old son, who have already begun following in his footsteps. One Sunday, while Anjoe was playing guitar on stage, his son asked if he could play beside him. Soon, the little boy was standing next to his father during worship, strumming his toy guitar with pride.

It became a moment neither of them would forget.

For Anjoe, worship is not just something he does: it is a lifestyle he wants to pass on to his children. Every night, he prays over them—for their future, their calling, their protection and their purpose. Whether they become doctors, pastors, preachers or something entirely different, he entrusts their lives to God.

“Being a parent is tough,” Anjoe says. “We must pray for our children. God will speak to them about their future.”

A printing shop that became a ministry

Today, one of the most tangible ways Anjoe gives back is through his printing shop. It’s a small business that Anjoe and his wife started, and it has become a lifeline for students, parents and neighbours in their community.

Printing in Manila can be expensive, especially for students preparing for exams. Many simply cannot afford it.

One day, a group of students came to his shop asking about the price. When he told them it was four pesos per page, they hesitated—they needed 200 to 500 pages. The cost was too high.

Seeing their struggle, and remembering his own childhood, Anjoe made a decision rooted in compassion.

He told them, “If you bring your own paper, I’ll print it for one peso per page.”

The students were shocked and relieved. They returned with paper, grateful to have found a place that understood their situation. As exam season approached, they asked Anjoe to pray for them. He did.

Weeks later, the results came out and every single one of them passed.

They messaged him with joy: “We’re so grateful, Anjoe. Your shop helped us reach our goal.”

But Anjoe knows to whom the praise is due: “All glory to God.”

A business built on Christ‑like love

For Anjoe, the printing shop is more than a business—it is a ministry.

He has lived in Manila for six years now, building relationships with students, youth and mothers who often come to him not just for printing but for prayer. Many share their struggles: children who are falling behind, or the financial pressure between buying rice or buying school supplies for their loved ones.

Because he has lived that life, he understands their pain deeply.

So when someone asks for a discount, or even a free print because they need to buy food, he doesn’t hesitate. Anjoe puts himself in their shoes, remembering the days when his own family had to ask for help.

“I remember the verse, ‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself.’ One way to be a good neighbour is knowing th!eir needs. Different customer; different needs,” Anjoe says.

Some days he gives discounts. Some days he prints for free. Every day he offers prayers. And in return, the community treats him not just as a shop owner, but as family.

A story still being written

From the wooden house with no table, to a life filled with purpose and rich community, Anjoe’s journey is a testament to resilience, grace and the faithfulness of God. His past may have been marked by poverty, but his future is a much brighter story.

He carries with him the lessons of his childhood, the people who believed in him, the joy of music, the calling to preach. Most of all, he carries the unshakeable conviction that God has been, and will always be, his anchor. And now, as he pours back into his community through music, ministry and a printing shop, Anjoe is becoming part of many other stories of hope.

One of the most beautiful parts about Compassion’s work is that it continues for generations. There are many ways for you to move with compassion today, such as investing financially, sponsoring a child or becoming an advocate in your own community.

Written by Sarah Moore, Compassion Australia.