The
story of He Cares Foundation began when Joe Dean Sola, after
eight years of serving in the Christian Community he belonged
to, felt he wanted to do something for the poor and the least
of his brethren, specifically the street children.
With
determination in his heart, he pursued this longing by going
to the streets and spending time with the children. He even
lived among the poor in squatters’ areas as part of his
immersion.
Ardis
Abrogar (Sola)
Meanwhile, Ardis Abrogar quit her high paying job in a government
corporation. After much thinking and praying, she left the company
she had been working in for six years. She knew she wanted to
do something worthwhile for the unfortunate. On her own, she
volunteered to take care of abandoned babies in an orphanage.
She also spent time visiting various institutions for the abandoned
elderly, drug dependents, and orphans. back
to top
Montalban
In
1994, one of the leaders in Joe Dean's Community was so inspired
by Joe Dean’s work that he wanted to do a project for the
poor. Together, they planned and discussed developing a housing
site for the poor. An idle agricultural plot of land at the
hillside of Montalban was suggested as the site for the project.
Ardis was asked to help in whatever way she could. She devoted
all her time to this new project. Both Joe Dean and Ardis became
deeply involved and committed to this undertaking. Soon after,
realizing they shared the same vision and mission in life, they
got married and vowed to continue with their work for the poor.
back to top
Starting
a Family
The
couple decided to live in Montalban and carry out God’s
work there. By then, the housing project was ready to take care
of the wounded people of society. In 1996, Ardis gave birth
to their first baby. They kept firm about their decision to
live there despite the absence of water and electricity. Family
members and friends discouraged them and asked them to go back
to the city, considering that they had a newborn baby. back
to top
God's
Mission Revealed
The
couple prayed to God to show them where He was leading them.
When their son, Jerome, was 3 months old, he suffered from severe
diarrhea and had to be confined in the hospital. They saw this
as a sign from the Lord to go back to the city. On August 10,
1996, barely one week after they had settled with Ardis’
parents, God’s mission was revealed to them.
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The
Street Children Ministry
Joe
Dean noticed two young boys with tattered clothes playing at
the waiting shed in front of their house. He brought them to
the nearby store and fed them with bread and softdrinks. He
told them to come back the next day and bring their other friends
who were hungry too. Joe Dean did not have to wait for the following
day because after a few hours, four other children came back.
Joe Dean and Ardis decided to feed them daily from their own
resources. Joe Dean started his work of investigating the background
of these kids. The number of hungry children knocking at their
door grew day by day. As the number of streetkids increased,
they thought of asking the help of their Community
for financial support.back
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The
Caring Center
In
February 1997, Joe Dean and Ardis moved into their own apartment
where their garage was converted into a caring center for streetchildren.
Many years have passed since that day in August. The Ministry
has survived with the help of friends and even total strangers.
Joe
Dean and Ardis have never been as fired up to continue living
out their mission as they are today. They are amazed at how
the good Lord sends people to help them in His work. To date,
an average of 40 streetkids take their meal and bath at the
caring center daily and over 120 children receive nutritious
meals every Saturday.
The
story of He Cares Foundation began when Joe Dean Sola, after
eight years of serving in the Christian Community he belonged
to, felt he wanted to do something for the poor and the least
of his brethren, specifically the street children.
Montalban
The
couple decided to live in Montalban and carry out God’s
work there. By then, the housing project was ready to take care
of the wounded people of society. In 1996, Ardis gave birth
to their first baby. They kept firm about their decision to
live there despite the absence of water and electricity. Family
members and friends discouraged them and asked them to go back
to the city, considering that they had a newborn baby. 
