He Cares is committed to caring for homeless, wounded and vulnerable children in Metro Manila,
restoring their hope, and helping them to make a meaningful contribution to the world.
In January 2016, a group of young men and women who serve at the Kids’ Ministry of the Light of Jesus FEAST Bacolod noticed the streetchildren near the venue of their gathering. Soon after, these guys began to mingle with these kids and served them simple snacks. This went on every Saturday with new activities being introduced like basic reading, prayers, and play. After 6 months, the group asked Bro. Joe’s help in terms of forging a tie-up with He Cares.
So on September 10, 2016, the He Cares Staff from Manila came in full force to Bacolod. Bro. Joe Dean met with the Bacolod Team and shared about the vision, mission, and programs of He Cares. All the Program Servants were present to render support. This was a great opportunity to come face to face with about 50 kids who were handled effectively by the Core Team and the volunteers. He Cares brought schoolbags containing school supplies for all these new kids.
The official launch took place over dinner at the Palawud Restaurant by the bay. Bro. Joe Dean Sola presided over the meeting where he answered all the queries and concerns related to this new relationship with Bacolod.
Sheing is the Program Servant of the Back-to-Health. She volunteered way back in 2010 while waiting for her employment papers for Saudi Arabia to work as a nurse. Thanks to the slow processing that took over one year, Sheing became a permanent fixture at He Cares . But she eventually left and was away until 2014. She was led back to He Cares where she found herself helping out with the murals painting of the new Center. At this point, Sheing was waiting (again) for her visa to Norway for a new job. This was when Bro. Joe Dean invited her to work for He Cares for 6 months. Her quick reply was “I will pray about it.”
On September 1, 2015, He Cares warmly welcomed Sheing to its fold of missionaries. In time, the He Cares staff met with her friend of 10 years, Jun, who is an Electrical Engineer for an international cargo ship. In October 2015, Jun and Sheing got engaged and tied the knot on September 8, 2016.
Jeffrey Caoagdan is one of the fathers of He Cares scholars. He was electrocuted 3 years ago and suffered from third degree burn all over his body. Both legs were amputated because of the severity of his condition. He was given 20 percent chance to survive. Miraculously, he survived physically but was damaged emotionally.
He became depressed and hopeless as each day passed. He Cares came to support him through counseling and visitation. He regained strength and found a reason to live again. He is managing his own grocery store with the help of his wife.
Melanie Listana-Santa Ines, was one of our success stories. Melanie was a young teenager when she first joined He Cares in 2007. She walked into our premises together with her friends. Bro. Joe Dean asked them if they needed help in pursuing their studies. Melanie was so eager to go to college but knew that her parents could not afford to send her to school. On her own initiative, she sold plastic bags in her spare time.
Bro. Joe Dean, in partnership with Children of Mekong Foundation, chose her to be part of the Balik-Aral Scholarship Program. She exhibited dedication and perseverance throughout her college life. She graduated with a degree of A.B.Architecture from the Technological University of the Philippines. Right after graduation, she landed a job with one of the biggest Engineering companies in the Philippines. She tried her luck in Dubai and became a successful architect.
Melanie returned home last December 2015 to get married in Sta. Maria, Bulacan. On her special day, she was overflowing with joy as she watched her family get settled in the new home which she bought for them in a subdivision nearby.
Bros. Bo Sanchez and Joe Dean Sola go a long, long way. They became friends in 1985 when Joe Dean joined the Light of Jesus Family. Bro. Bo became Joe Dean’s pastor and best friend. They even lived together for 5 years to discern their state of life. When the Light of Jesus Community purchased a 5 hectare agricultural land in Montalban, Joe Dean became Bro. Bo’s foreman in the now called “Anawim”.
In 1995, Joe Dean got married and pursued God’s calling for himself and his wife. He went to Bro. Bo and bade the Light of Jesus Community goodbye, but only after getting the blessing of his beloved pastor. Bro. Bo gave his full support to Joe Dean’s undertaking and promised him he will be there for him forever.
The friendship of these two God-fearing men has passed the test of time. He Cares Mission is one of the many ministries that is supported by the Light of Jesus Family to date. Bro. Bo has remained a trusted friend, not only of Joe Dean, but of the entire family of He Cares.