Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush secretly helped Filipino child

FILE: George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States (Photo: George Bush/Twitter)

For many of us, George H.W. Bush will be remembered as the 41st American president. But for a Filipino boy named Timothy, Bush is someone who had done a great impact in his life.

While most seven-year-old children probably enjoy their time playing outdoors with their neighbors, Timothy, at such a young age, was already helping his parents to provide food on their table by buying or selling in the market, running errands, and cleaning, according to the information sheet about him that was obtained by CNN.

It said that his father was “sometimes employed,” while his mother maintains the household.

However, a change in the course of Timothy’s life happened when a certain “George Walker” had sponsored him through Compassion International, a non-profit organization that uses local churches to help children in poor communities all over the world.

CNN reported that Bush used pseudonym George Walker to financially support Timothy’s education, extracurricular activities, as well as some of his meals for 10 years.

Compassion International shared some of Bush’s letters with CNN. The authenticity of the letters was confirmed by Jim McGrath, a spokesman for the Office of George H.W. Bush.

It was on January 24, 2002, when the former American president sent his first letter to Timothy, expressing his fondness for the boy.

“Dear Timothy, I want to be your new pen pal. I am an old man, 77 years old, but I love kids and though we have not met I love you already,” the letter read.

“I live in Texas. I will write [to] you from time to time — Good luck,” it added.

Wess Stafford, ex-president of Compassion International, told CNN that Bush first thought of supporting a child way back in 2001 when he attended a Christmas concert in Washington.

“Because the musicians were mostly Christian, they believed in our mission,” Stafford said.

During intermission, he recalled, “they would tell the audience about us, and ask them if they would like to sponsor a child.”

“All of the sudden, Mr. Bush, who was sitting only a few rows back and surrounded by security, raised his hand and asked for a pamphlet,” he continued.

Stafford shared that Bush’s security team was “alarmed” as they have no idea what was in the pamphlet or whether the information stated in it had been screened for authenticity or not.

“His top security called me and said ‘this doesn’t surprise me coming from him, but if he’s going to sponsor this kid, we need to make sure the boy doesn’t know who his sponsor is.’ So, he signed all his letters to Timothy as ‘George Walker,'” he said.

The security team, Stafford stressed, was just concerned about Timothy’s safety as the boy might be a “target” if the public found out that he has a connection with Bush.

Complying to this, CNN said Stafford had screened all the letters Bush sends to Timothy for security reasons; however, he really had a hard time keeping Bush’s real identity as a secret as the latter also keeps on dropping hints on who he really is.

Bush had sent to Timothy a photo of his dog named Sadie, and that he also told the boy he got to go to the White House, “where the president of the USA (United States of America) lives,” during Christmas.

Apart from financially supporting Timothy, Bush also sent presents to the young man although it was prohibited. When the former president learned that the boy loves art, he sent over drawing materials such as color pencils, sketch pads, and paint.

Expressing his gratitude, Timothy sent a letter to Bush, thanking the old man for always remembering him.

“Dear Mr. & Mrs. Walker, how are you? I hope you’re in good condition. I would like to thank you for not forgetting me. You’re so nice and good,” the child wrote.

“God is so good to us. He gives us the body & will to get to where we want to go. Thank you so much for the book, I like it very much,” his letter further read.

Timothy was already 17 years old when he found out that his sponsor was the 41st president of the U.S.

Stafford said Timothy was “stunned” by the revelation, even calling it as “life-changing.”

The organization has since lost its contact with Timothy after the disclosure, according to CNN.

Bush passed away last November 30 at the age of 94. As of writing, Timothy’s whereabouts and current condition has yet to surface despite the passing.