OPEN HEARTS

Professor builds lasting relationships in the Philippines

by Debby Baker

There is no doubt that Dr. David Ahearn’s happy place is the Philippines, according to Tyler Martin Grant ’19, one of the longtime Religion professor’s former students.

“The people welcome him and his LC students as family,” she says. “I had the opportunity to go with him on a Jan Term trip as a student and again as a teaching assistant. He was committed to us having a meaningful and immersive experience and leaving with an understanding of Filipino culture.”

Her husband Eli Grant ’19 agrees.

“His passion for service and the wonderful people of the Philippines was infectious,” he says. “He inspired everyone to serve wholeheartedly while we were there.”

A perfect partnership

Dr. Ahearn’s work in the Philippines began with his introduction to Kapatiran-Kaunlaran Foundation Inc. in 2013.

“The North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church made a commitment to build bridges with Methodist global missions, and the bishop asked the college if we could develop some kind of program with the Philippines,” he says. “I was asked to explore possibilities because I had already taken students to Japan and China for Interim Term.”

He participated in an exploratory visit with a delegation of clergy from North Georgia and discovered KKFI.

“I knew it would be a perfect fit for our students,” he says.

KKFI was founded 80 years ago by American United Methodist Women with a main emphasis on education.

“The communities they serve are at the very bottom of the Philippines social class system – the 10,000 people who live as squatters among the tombs at Manila North Cemetery; residents of Tondo, a slum area near the port; and a small community that scavenges at a dumpsite in a Manila suburb,” Dr. Ahearn says.

The organization helps with transportation and expenses to keep children in school. They also run programs to help teens resist drugs and pregnancy, as well as support a pre-K and a high school degree-completion program.

“On that first visit, I was able to meet some youth who are in the program,” he says. “I could see how much it means to them – KKFI literally throws them a lifeline.”

A gift from God

Nancy Caluya-Nicolas, executive director of KKFI, says Dr. Ahearn was an answer to a prayer.

“God sent us a beautiful person in the form of the Rev. Dr. David Ahearn," she says. “For seven years, he brought students to the Philippines to help with our work. The students found the experience to be so moving that they shared it with their classmates, who asked to go, too."

Dr. Ahearn was invited to give the keynote address at KKFI's 71st anniversary this year. Unfortunately, the Jan Term visits were halted by the pandemic, but that did not break the relationships formed.

"The Filipino children and LC students immediately bonded,” Dr. Ahearn says. “The children idolize our students and treat them like rockstars. Many of them stay in touch on Facebook for years.”

Usually by the end of camp, Dr. Ahearn says he sees students carrying kids on their backs, holding hands as they walk around, in groups inventing new dances and playing games.

“Some of the children lack birth certificates because they were born outside hospitals,” he says. “They cannot get access to government services without an ID. A baptism certificate can substitute, so KKFI sponsors children’s baptisms. One of our former students, Joshua Daniel, became the godfather of one orphan child.”

Michael Bleimeyer ’20 says he still talks with some children he met in Manila.

“I dream about going back all the time. It’s been three or four years since I went, and I still talk about it almost every day.”

A gift of service

While in the Philippines, LC students have run a weekend youth camp for the children who live at the dumpsite outside Manila. KKFI has a small farm so kids can experience trees and gardening. They also have tutored youth in the degree-completion program and assist with pre-K.

“I also have built a connection with Mary Johnston Hospital, a Methodist charity hospital in Tondo,” Dr. Ahearn says. “Our nursing students can do a week of clinical immersion there.”

A few years ago, they organized a new event.

“It’s called ‘Soles for Souls,” he says. “Many of the children have no shoes at all or wear worn out flip-flops passed down from older children. We distribute about 500 pairs of brand-new flip-flops to needy kids.

“It's amazing how a gift that costs less than $1 brings such happiness to the kids. Our students measure the children’s feet and fit them with the right pair. It’s true humbling service to those who have nothing.”

Caluya-Nicolas with KKFI says it is a joy to watch Dr. Ahearn interact with the children of Manila.

“It was no surprise at all that he opened his good heart to these children,” she says. “In fact, they call him their ‘Tatay’ (Father) David. He’s sent his own money to buy medicine to a boy for his heart ailment and to a girl who has a disability. He also sent funds for a malnourished student.”

A life-changing experience

The ministries in Manila not only make a lasting impression on the children, but also on LaGrange students.

“They are confronted with global poverty on a personal level,” he says. “They ask, ‘Why must Ismelda sort through garbage to find supper for her family?’ or ‘Why does Roberto sit through school all day with an empty stomach?’ The experience for our students is at first overwhelming emotionally, but together we learn to understand.”

Dr. Ahearn, who is retiring from LC at the end of the fall term after 37 years of service, says serving alongside the KKFI staff has deepened his love for the locals of the tropical country.

“The Filipino people in general are delightful—warm, hospitable, community-focused and pleasant,” he says. “KKFI is an exceptionally well-run, capable, responsible organization with a culture of true Christian love.”

Dr. Ahearn says it has been rewarding to watch Filipino children he befriended over the years blossom into contributing members of society.

“I've been able to see some children make it all the way from elementary school to become college graduates,” he says. “Most of these graduates come back to work as social workers or teachers in their own communities.”

Looking ahead, Dr. Ahearn said he would like to continue the partnership between KKFI and LaGrange students.

“I would love to be an on-site host and advisor for LC professors who want to bring students on their own in the future,” he says. “Areas of interest could include teaching, counseling, nursing and ecology.”

While he doesn’t know what the future holds, Eli Grant knows that Dr. Ahearn’s work in the country has made an impact.

“I was able to see how the trips drastically changed not only the lives of the people we served but every student who went on the trip.”

Since 2013, Dr. Ahearn has been traveling to the Philippines—and taking students with him—to learn and to serve.