George Bush Sr was pen pals with a Filipino boy, writing heartwarming notes and secretly sponsoring him for 10 years
Late President George H.W. Bush wrote heartwarming letters to a young Filipino boy, whom he secretly sponsored for 10 years, according to reports. Bush began exchanging letters with seven-year-old Timothy in January 2002, as he wrote in his first letter: "Dear Timothy, I want to be your new pen pal." He reportedly used a pseudonym to converse with the young boy.
Bush senior, in his first letter to Timothy, wrote: "'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. G. Walker."
The former president's letters were released posthumously by CNN on Tuesday as the television network reported that Timothy and Bush senior were connected through an organization called Compassion International, a Christain nonprofit which helps children in poor communities around the world.
For ten years, George HW Bush sent funds that went towards the education, activities and meals for a boy named Timothy in the Philippines. Bush used a different name when he wrote letters to the boy to keep his identity a secret. https://t.co/dFx0qa84Qe
— Action News on 6abc (@6abc) December 19, 2018
Timothy's profile states that he was seven when he was assisting his parents around their home by "buying or selling in the market, running errands and cleaning." The profile stated that Timothy "for fun, enjoys basketball, art and walking. He attends Sunday school, Bible class, and vacation Bible school regularly." The profile added that the boy attended primary school.
Reports state that Bush used to drop a few hints about who he really was in his letters from time to time, he once wrote: "Dear Timothy, I love that picture of you holding that "World Time" gadget. I also have learned that you play the guitar — terrific!"
"Timothy, have you ever heard of the White House? That's where the president of the USA lives. I got to go to the White House at Christmas time. Here is a little booklet that I got at the White House in Washington," Bush wrote in the letter. Reports state that Timothy, in response, would also write him back.
Former American President George H. W. Bush, who recently passed away, secretly sponsored a Filipino named Timothy for 10 years before the boy knew who his benefactor was, CNN reported Wednesday. Read: https://t.co/fdtzFkBbLW pic.twitter.com/TJwy8xwFEv
— Manila Standard (@MlaStandard) December 20, 2018
One of Timothy's letters read: "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. 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."
Bush reportedly once breached security when he sent a picture of his dog, Sadie, to Timothy enclosed in the letter.
"Here is a picture of our dog," Bush wrote. "Her name is Sadie. She has met a lot of famous people. She is a very good dog. She was born in England. She catches mice and chipmunks, and she runs like the wind. G. Walker."
george hw bush sr exchange letters filipino boy secret sponsor 10 years timothy
