Empowering Women To Serve: CCF Women 2 Women Ministry Partners With Uplift Cares

Witnessing more women discover how we minister to our beneficiaries and be inspired to serve in God’s work of transforming communities made a truly unforgettable experience!

Last April 30, 2026, the CCF Women 2 Women Ministry, in partnership with UPLIFT Cares, held a session entitled “To Whom Much is Given” at the CCF Center Multi-Purpose Hall. This event encouraged attendees to steward their God-given resources, time, and abilities to bless individuals in need.

UPLIFT Cares Learning Facilitator Cristina Esmeralda inspired the attendees through her powerful life testimony; while Ms. Cata de Jesus shared a heartfelt devotion on women’s legitimate needs.

More importantly, this event also featured a panel discussion, where three representatives from UPLIFT Cares were blessed to share how the organization serves beneficiaries through its programs in health, education, livelihood, and personal growth (“H.E.L.P”).

Cristina Esmeralda’s Testimony

In her testimony, Esmeralda narrated about her experiences in her younger years, and how God has transformed her life through education and discipleship.

She grew up in a large family with 10 siblings. Because of financial hardships, she sometimes attended school without allowance, but still persevered and completed Grade 6. However, she stopped studying and began working as a househelper during her teenage years. After getting married, she earned a living by washing clothes.

One day, she enrolled in UPLIFT Cares’ Alternative Learning System (ALS) Junior High School program after someone from their barangay introduced her to this opportunity. She became an UPLIFT Cares scholar, which enabled her to continue through Senior High School and college. Driven by her desire to help those unable to finish their studies because of poverty, she pursued a college degree in Elementary Education.

In 2025, by God’s grace, she graduated from college with magna cum laude honors. She has also been faithfully volunteering with the CCF Center Host Team for 8 years. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to UPLIFT Cares and to the donors who supported her educational journey.

Devotion On Women’s Legitimate Needs

During her devotion, Ms. Cata de Jesus delivered a faith-centered message on the three legitimate needs of women: the need to be loved, the need for security, and the need for significance – needs that are meant to be nurtured within the home.

Speaking about the need to be loved, de Jesus explained that women are meant to be cherished, treasured, and delighted in. She also discussed the need for security, which includes protection, provision, being welcomed in any season of life, and having a safe place to come home to. Lastly, she emphasized the need for significance, which involves being treated with respect and attention, receiving importance and well-deserved praise, and being valued and honored.

Panel Discussion Highlights

During the panel discussion, featured were three women who provided their valuable insights on how God continues to work through UPLIFT Cares. They were UPLIFT Cares ALS Program Director Irene Dinsay, UPLIFT Cares Communications and Fundraising Director Nikki Miller, and Esmeralda.

Dinsay explained that many out-of-school learners carry stories marked by poverty, family challenges, and the pressure to work at a young age to help support their households. In addressing the needs of our learners, UPLIFT Cares’ ALS program carries a more holistic and student-centered approach.

UPLIFT Cares provides medical assistance to beneficiaries; supports its ALS Junior High School completers who pursue Senior High School and college through scholarships; trains beneficiaries in livelihood skills; and more importantly, nurtures their discipleship journey.

Dinsay told attendees that no work done for Jesus is wasted, and that no story is beyond hope. “I have seen the transforming power of Jesus in the lives of our beneficiaries. It’s really the inside-out transformation,” she said.

Esmeralda, meanwhile, expressed her desire to share her life experiences, and educate and disciple out-of-school learners.

For Miller, based from what she has observed, the immediate need is addressing hunger. However, the deeper need of an individual is education, which opens doors for opportunities to flow.

Miller encouraged the attendees to devote their time and talents by volunteering with UPLIFT Cares, or provide monetary or in-kind donations (such as milk, bread, and vitamins) for the beneficiaries.

Women 2 Women Ministry Coordinator Jireh de Jose uttered a prayer for UPLIFT Cares, for the organization to continue doing the good work that God has called and commissioned them to fulfill. She also prayed for the staff and beneficiaries.

After the panel discussion, attendees were invited to visit the UPLIFT Cares booth located at the back portion of the CCF Center Multi-Purpose Hall.

Insights From The Women 2 Women Ministry Coordinator

De Jose said that she was deeply blessed and encouraged by this event in various ways, as this enabled them to discover further what UPLIFT Cares does for the underprivileged individuals in the communities.

“Hearing Cristina’s story and how God has really moved in her life, her heart to become the woman that she is today, was really so encouraging,” she added.

De Jose expressed that the panel discussion made her witness the realities that underprivileged beneficiaries face. “We are so used… to having all the basic necessities: water, food, a place to call home with all the comforts,” she added.

She also opened up that God has impressed in her heart to also tap other CCF ministries such as UPLIFT Cares, and their planning for the session began as early as January 2026. She likewise urged others to move beyond their “comfort zones” and make disciples in the communities.

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Through this experience, we have unlocked an opportunity for us to share with more people how we minister to low-income families in the love of Christ. We would like to thank all those who donated, signed up to volunteer, and the other women who visited our booth during the event!

To volunteer or partner with us for our educational initiatives or community development activities, you may send us a message on our social media accounts or send us an email at sponsorship@upliftcares.com