George H.W. Bush's secret, 10-year sponsorship of a Filipino child, revealed
Unbeknownst to pretty much anyone, the late George H.W. Bush had a young pen pal.
“Dear Timothy, I want to be your new pen pal,” wrote one “G. Walker” to a 7-year-old boy in the Philippines in January 2002. “I am an old man, 77 years old, but I love kids; and though we have not met I love you already. I live in Texas — I will write you from time to time — Good Luck.”
Bush, who served as the 41st U.S. President from 1989 through January 1993, sponsored the boy through the nonprofit organization Compassion International, which showed some of the letters to CNN. They were verified by the White House, CNN said.
Under the program, the sponsor provides “monthly financial support, prayer and letter writing” as a way of investing directly in a child’s life to eradicate child poverty.
Bush learned about the group from an announcement made during a Christmas concert he attended in 2001, CNN reported. He asked for more information, then signed up.
Out of concern for the boy’s safety, the former President’s security team wanted him to remain anonymous so that the child would not be targeted, former Compassion International president Wess Stafford told CNN. Nonetheless, Bush would drop boulder-sized hints over the years, even going so far as to send a photo of his dog, Sadie, and letting on that he’d visited the White House at Christmas.
It wasn’t until Timothy graduated high school at age 17 that he learned who his benefactor had been. Stafford said the youth was “stunned” and told Compassion International that the revelation was life-changing. They have since lost touch with him, CNN said.
"Dear Mr. & Mrs. Walker,” Timothy wrote in a letter dated 2003, just a year into their correspondence. “How are you? I hope you're in good condition. I would like to thank you for not forgetting me.”
