THE PEOPLE BEHIND BLESSINGS OF HOPE
We are all working as volunteers. We have other main source of income either by way of retirement or by affiliation with other organizations or by other income-generating endeavors. This allows 100% of donated funds to be used directly for all the projects.
the founders
Michael and Lani Johnson
Michael is a retired Management Information Systems Director from Yakima, WA,USA
Program Director of BOH
Lani was once a Science teacher and had worked at the Department of Labor in the Philippines
Program Manager of BOH
Both are Associate Staff of the Philippine Navigators
the advisers
Wenceslao de La Vina
Founder and Chairman of the Board, Community Hopes Alternatives, Inc. (umbrella organization of BOH)
Former National Director of Philippine Navigators
Married to Cel de la Vina with 3 sons, and 1 grandchild
Mary Grace Apura-Lora
English Teacher of New York City Department of Education
MA in Multi-Cultural Studies- College of St. Vincent, Riverdale, NY, USA
BSE-English, University of San Carlos
Member of Lightcast International Church, NY, USA
Naomi Lyn Canete Abellana
Master in Management, Development Academy of the Philippines
Assistant Regional Director of Dept of Labor and Employment, Philippines
Sunday School Teacher for Youth
Married to Rebe Abellana with 1 son and 1 daughter, 1 granddaughter
Ronilo “Ronnie” Saguit
President, Navigators Philippines
Trainor – Discipling for Development (D4D)
Interim Executive Director – Badjao Bridge Philippines
Civil Engineer
Masters in Regional and Urban Planning
Instructor – CE- University of San Carlos
Married to Gloria with 3 Sons
Rosalinda Decierdo-Buckby
Master Teacher 11-Department of Education
Naga, Cebu, Philippines
Graduate Bachelor of Elementary Education
Cebu Normal University
Studied Master of Arts in Teaching, University of the Visayas
Married to Peter Buckby
Juliet Ammi Lopez
Full-time staff with the Philippine Navigators
Certified Christian counselor
Former Youth Development Facilitator of SIKAP (Sibikong Kabataang Pinoy)
Former Director- House of Hope for Women
Graduate of BSECE-Cebu Institute of Technology University, Cebu, Philippines
Delia Alota-Leath
Former teacher at IE Dept.: Cebu Institute of Technology and University of San Carlos, Philippines
Master of Business Mgt, University of the Philippines-Cebu
Master of Science in Industrial Engineering, La Salle University
President, Mt. Moriah Student Center Foundation
Married to Gary Leath (both are Staff of Navigators, USA)
Michele Elledge
Serves as Adviser/Liaison for Blessings of Hope to Grace of Christ Church
Missions’ Committee Secretary and Liaison for 4 missionaries out in the field
Women’s Bible Study Leader
Sunday School Teacher for Grades 3-5
Volunteer Teacher, Trailseekers’ Program
Obtained BA from Western Washington University in 2002