George H.W. Bush secretly funded a Filipino child for 10 years, letters reveal

Kindness from the late George H.W. Bush came to light after a nonprofit organization shared letters between the late former president and a young Filipino boy.

Through Compassion International, a nonprofit that uses local churches in areas with poor communities to help children in need, Bush sponsored a Filipino boy named Timothy.

For ten years the former president sent funds for Timothy’s meals, education and extracurricular activities. The late former president wrote to the under a pseudonym, G. Walker, and exchanged many letters during those years.

The organization decided to share some of the letters between Timothy and Bush, which started on January 4, 2002, when he wrote Timothy the first letter:

"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. I live in Texas - I will write to you from time to time - Good Luck. G. Walker"

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In 2001, Bush attended a Christmas concert in Washington, and the musicians were involved with the nonprofit, Through Compassion International. They spoke about their work and the plight of the children.

Keeping his connection with the boy a secret was not easy, as secret service carefully scanned all of the late president’s correspondence. They were worried about the boy’s safety if the secret came out that the former president was his sponsor.

Luckily, the secret never came out, until now, but in the meantime, Timothy had graduated from the program, and no one was the wiser. Through the letters, Bush often dropped hints, and by sharing a picture of his dog, he committed his first security breach as he wrote:

"Here is a picture of our dog. 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."

Sponsors were not allowed to send presents, but Bush did so anyway after Timothy sent him pictures he drew. In response, he encouraged the boy and sent him pencils and sketch pads and paint.

In one letter Timothy sent to Bush he thanked him for not forgetting about him as he wrote:

"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."

The late president liked writing letters. He used to write letters to Barbara back in 1943, a lovesick 19-year-old. Navy pilot during WWII. One of the letters he wrote to the love of his life is on display at the George H.W. Bush Library and Museum in College Station, Texas.

Other things have also come out since the passing of the former president, as Bush’s spokesman Jim McGrath shared an anecdote. Like with every president, they have to plan their funerals well in advance. Remembering that day McGrath tweeted on December 4:

“Briefed in 2011 about his funeral and lying in state, the 41st President asked with typical humility, "Do you think anyone will come?" Tonight, people are waiting for hours to pay their respects.”

And that is how many will remember the late George H.W. Bush, as a kind man with humility and respect, that will be sorely missed.