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A Journey of Faith, Purpose, and Hope A New Beginning My story begins in Singapore, a land filled with diverse cultures and vibrant energy. But fate had a different path in mind for me. At the tender age of 12, I embarked on a journey that would shape the person I am today. Leaving behind my familiar surroundings, I migrated to the Philippines, a country that would soon become my second home. As I navigated the intricacies of my new home, I sought to understand the complexities of the Filipino society. I delved into its history, learning about its struggles for independence and its unwavering spirit of resilience. I listened to the stories of ordinary Filipinos, their dreams, their hopes, and their struggles. The resilience and determination of the Filipino people inspired me, while the deep-seated social issues stirred a sense of urgency within me. My new beginning in the Philippines marked the genesis of a lifelong commitment to the welfare of its people. I yearned to make a difference, to contribute to the betterment of Filipino society. As I embarked on this new chapter, I carried with me the values instilled in me by my upbringing in Singapore - a sense of integrity, a dedication to excellence, and a commitment to community. Combining these values with the lessons learned in the Philippines, I set forth on a path to create positive change, to bridge the gaps of inequality, and to ignite a spark of hope in the hearts of the Filipino people. Discovering Purpose Amidst Growth and Responsibility Life took an unexpected turn when I arrived at the Institute for Foundational Learning (IFL). Nestled within its walls was a transformative environment that combined an orphanage, a farm, and a training center for teachers. It was here that my journey towards discovering my purpose took root, amidst the growth and responsibility that awaited me. At IFL, I was immersed in a world of hands-on learning and practical experiences. The institute provided me with opportunities to engage in construction projects, where I actively participated in building three houses. The sweat on my brow and the satisfaction of seeing structures rise from the ground instilled in me a deep sense of accomplishment. I learned the value of hard work, perseverance, and the joy of creating something meaningful. Beyond construction, the farm became another classroom where I cultivated responsibility and nurtured a connection to the earth. Caring for three pigs became my daily duty, teaching me the importance of tending to the needs of others, even those beyond human companionship. From feeding and grooming to ensuring their well-being, I discovered the significance of selflessness and stewardship. Yet, it was not merely the practical skills that shaped my path; it was the spiritual awakening that occurred within those hallowed grounds. Surrounded by individuals who fervently practiced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, I witnessed the transformative power of faith in action. Their unwavering devotion and deep connection with God captivated my heart and soul, drawing me closer to Him. In the presence of such spiritual fervor, my own faith blossomed. I discovered a profound connection to God, and I began to understand that these experiences were not mere coincidences but divine orchestration. God was using my time at IFL to mold me into the person He intended me to be – a missionary and a teacher. Language of Love As I navigated my new surroundings in the Philippines, I encountered a significant obstacle: a language barrier. None of the individuals I lived with at IFL spoke English, and the absence of my parents further intensified the challenge. However, instead of being deterred, I saw this adversity as an opportunity for growth, and I wholeheartedly embraced the challenge that lay before me. With unwavering determination, I embarked on a journey to learn the Tagalog language, the native tongue of the Filipino people. I understood that language held the key to forging deep connections and bridging the gap between cultures. It became clear to me that to truly understand and empathize with the Filipino people, I needed to communicate with them in their own language. Armed with persistence, dedication, and an insatiable curiosity, I immersed myself in the study of Tagalog. I listened intently to conversations, and practiced speaking with anyone who was willing to lend an ear. Each word I learned, each sentence I formed, brought me one step closer to becoming fluent in Tagalog. The process was not without its challenges. There were moments of frustration and setbacks, where words failed to articulate the thoughts and emotions I wished to express. But with each stumble, I dusted myself off and pressed on, fueled by a deep desire to connect with the Filipino people on a profound level. As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, I witnessed a remarkable transformation within myself. The once-daunting language barrier began to crumble, and I found myself conversing effortlessly in Tagalog. The language became an instrument of unity, a means to transcend cultural differences and embrace a shared understanding. Through the language of love, I forged deep connections with the people around me. I listened to their stories, their dreams, and their struggles, and I shared my own experiences with them. In the act of communicating in their native tongue, I not only gained linguistic fluency but also a deeper appreciation for the Filipino culture and a profound sense of belonging. Language became the bridge that allowed me to touch the lives of the Filipino people in meaningful ways. It enabled me to extend empathy, compassion, and support to those who needed it most. From heartfelt conversations with children at the orphanage to engaging discussions with locals in the community, I discovered the power of language to break down barriers, build trust, and foster genuine connections. The journey of mastering Tagalog was not just about fluency; it was a journey of the heart. In embracing the language, I embraced the Filipino people, their struggles, and their triumphs. Through the language of love, I learned to listen deeply, to understand without judgment, and to convey my own thoughts and emotions with sincerity. Looking back, I am humbled by the transformative power of language. What started as a seemingly insurmountable barrier became a conduit for unity, empathy, and cultural understanding. The bonds I formed through language transcended mere words; they were threads that wove together the fabric of my journey, intertwining my story with the stories of those I encountered along the way. With each conversation, each shared laughter, and each heartfelt exchange, I discovered the true essence of communication - the ability to connect, to uplift, and to express love. The language of love became my guide, illuminating the path towards building a more compassionate and interconnected world. As I reflect on my journey, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to learn the language of the Filipino people. It has enriched my life, broadened my perspectives, and deepened my appreciation for the power of communication. Through the language of love, I continue to forge lasting connections, breaking down barriers and spreading a message of unity, understanding, and compassion. The language of love has become a part of who I am, and it will forever serve as a testament to the profound impact that embracing cultural differences can have on our lives. In the symphony of languages and the tapestry of diverse voices, I stand as a bridge, a conduit for understanding and a beacon of love, ready to touch lives and make a difference, one word at a time. The Battle Within At the age of 29, when life seemed to be at its fullest, a dark cloud cast its shadow over my world. I was diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma, a formidable and life-threatening form of cancer often referred to as the "flesh-eating cancer." In an instant, the fragility of life became painfully clear, and I was confronted with a battle that would test my resilience and redefine my purpose. As the news of my diagnosis settled within me, a tumultuous storm raged within my heart and mind. Fear, uncertainty, and questions of mortality consumed my thoughts. Time, once an abstract concept, suddenly gained a palpable weight as I grappled with the reality that my time on this Earth may be limited. Chronophobia, the fear of time slipping away, gripped my heart, but amidst the darkness, a flicker of light emerged. Instead of succumbing to despair, I found myself ignited by an intense desire to make every moment count, to leave a lasting impact before my journey on this Earth came to an end. With unwavering determination, I faced the battle within, drawing upon the strength and faith that had guided me throughout my life. The diagnosis became a catalyst, propelling me forward with renewed purpose and a burning passion to make a difference in the world. In the face of adversity, I chose not to be defined by the illness that threatened to consume me. Instead, I embraced it as a wake-up call, a call to action, and a reminder that life is fleeting and precious. The battle against cancer became a catalyst for profound self-reflection, pushing me to examine the legacy I wished to leave behind. Armed with the lessons learned from my past, I channeled my energy into acts of compassion, service, and advocacy. I embarked on a journey to make a positive impact in the lives of others, driven by an unwavering commitment to make a difference, no matter how small or large. Every day became an opportunity to cherish the beauty of life, to savor each breath, and to be present in the moments that truly mattered. Cancer, although a formidable adversary, became a catalyst for transformation, urging me to embrace resilience, faith, and unwavering hope. In the depths of my battle, I discovered a newfound appreciation for the strength of the human spirit. It was in those moments of vulnerability that I witnessed the incredible power of love, support, and community. Family, friends, and even strangers rallied around me, offering their unwavering support and encouragement, reminding me that I was not alone in this fight. Through the darkest moments, I clung to faith as my guiding light. It was in the whispers of prayer, the solace found in the sacred texts, and the unwavering belief in a higher power that I discovered a wellspring of courage and resilience. Faith became the rock upon which I stood, infusing me with a renewed sense of purpose and an unyielding determination to overcome any obstacle that stood in my way. Though the battle within was fierce, I emerged stronger, not only in body but also in spirit. The journey through cancer became a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the power of hope, and the indomitable force of love. As I reflect on my journey, I am humbled by the strength I discovered within myself and the unwavering support I received from those around me. Cancer became a turning point, propelling me forward with an unquenchable thirst for life and a burning passion to make each day count. The battle within continues, but it is a battle fought with purpose, determination, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of love. Through the darkness, I have found a newfound appreciation for the beauty of life, the strength of the human spirit, and the extraordinary capacity we possess to make a difference, even in the face of adversity. My battle with cancer has shaped me, not as a victim, but as a survivor, a warrior who refuses to let circumstances define my destiny. With each passing day, I strive to inspire others, to uplift those who are facing their own battles, and to spread a message of hope, resilience, and unwavering faith. The battle within may have left scars, both seen and unseen, but it has also revealed a strength and purpose within me that I never knew existed. I am a living testament to the power of the human spirit, the resilience of the human body, and the unwavering hope that resides within each and every one of us. As I continue on my journey, I carry the lessons learned from the battle within, a reminder that life is precious, time is fleeting, and the impact we make is eternally significant. Embracing Purpose Motivated by a renewed sense of purpose, a fire ignited within me, propelling me towards a life dedicated to making a difference. Fueled by empathy and driven by a burning desire to uplift those in need, I embarked on a transformative journey of service, compassion, and empowerment. Recognizing that change begins at the grassroots level, I sought out various socio-civic organizations that aligned with my values and aspirations. These organizations became the platform through which I could channel my energy, skills, and resources towards creating a positive impact in the lives of others. With unwavering determination, I immersed myself in initiatives aimed at addressing social issues, uplifting marginalized communities, and empowering individuals to rise above their circumstances. Whether it was working with underprivileged children, supporting initiatives for education and healthcare, or advocating for the rights of the marginalized, I committed myself wholeheartedly to each cause, knowing that even the smallest acts of kindness could ripple out and create lasting change. In the midst of my service, I discovered the true power of empathy. It became the driving force behind my actions, enabling me to connect deeply with individuals from all walks of life. Through listening, understanding, and walking in the shoes of those I sought to help, I was able to identify their unique needs, aspirations, and dreams. Armed with this insight, I developed innovative and sustainable approaches to address social issues. I collaborated with like-minded individuals, leveraging our collective strengths and resources to effect meaningful change. Together, we established programs that provided access to education, skills training, and economic opportunities, empowering individuals to break free from the cycle of poverty and transform their lives. But my journey was not without challenges. The enormity of the social issues I encountered often felt overwhelming, and there were moments when doubt and discouragement threatened to derail my efforts. However, I reminded myself of the transformative power of hope and resilience. I drew strength from the stories of those I had encountered along the way – individuals who, against all odds, had risen above their circumstances and found a path towards a brighter future. Each small victory, each life touched, became a testament to the profound impact we can have when we extend a helping hand, when we choose to see the potential within each person, and when we believe in the power of collective action. Embracing purpose has become the guiding force of my life. It has taught me that true fulfillment lies not in material possessions or personal achievements but in the positive impact we leave on the lives of others. It has shown me that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, the power to effect change resides within each and every one of us. As I continue on this journey of service and compassion, I am reminded that the seeds of hope we sow today have the potential to blossom into a future filled with promise, equality, and love. I am humbled by the opportunity to be a catalyst for change, and I am grateful for every individual I have had the privilege to serve, learn from, and uplift along the way. In a world that often seems fragmented and divided, I remain steadfast in my belief that our shared humanity transcends boundaries and unites us in a common purpose – to create a better world for all. With this unwavering commitment in my heart, I will continue to sow seeds of hope, nurture dreams, and empower individuals, one act of kindness at a time. Shifting Perspectives: A New Focus Throughout my journey, I have encountered various ideologies and frameworks aimed at bringing about positive change in our world. One such framework that gained significant attention is the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a global agenda for achieving a better and more sustainable future for all. While these goals are noble and essential, I have come to a profound realization that our focus should extend beyond them. As I delved deeper into the issues plaguing our society, particularly during my time in the Philippines, I witnessed firsthand the harsh realities faced by marginalized communities. Poverty, inequality, and social injustice were prevalent, and it became evident that a more holistic approach was needed to address these complex challenges. While the SDGs provide a valuable framework for addressing various aspects of sustainable development, I began to question their ultimate impact. Despite our best efforts, the world is destined to undergo profound changes, and the end of times will eventually come, transcending any sustainability goals we may set. It was during this contemplation that I found solace and direction in the timeless wisdom of the Great Commission. As a person of faith, I realized that our ultimate purpose lies beyond the temporal concerns of this world. The Great Commission, as proclaimed by Jesus Christ, calls upon us to share the message of love, redemption, and eternal salvation. By shifting our focus towards the Great Commission, we recognize that our purpose transcends the temporal achievements and accomplishments of this world. It urges us to consider not only the physical and material well-being of individuals but also their spiritual welfare. It challenges us to bring hope, healing, and transformation to people's lives, ensuring that they experience a lasting impact beyond the confines of time and space. This realization has transformed my perspective and redefined the purpose of my journey. While I remain committed to addressing the immediate needs of individuals and communities, I do so with an understanding that true and lasting change can only be achieved when we also address the spiritual aspect of human existence. In this pursuit, I strive to be a beacon of light, sharing the message of hope and salvation through my words, actions, and relationships. By embracing the Great Commission, I aim to inspire others to recognize the eternal significance of their lives and to join me in a journey of faith, love, and compassion. While sustainability and the pursuit of a better world remain important, I believe that true transformation begins in the heart and soul of each individual. By nurturing their spiritual well-being and fostering a deep connection with a higher purpose, we can bring about a profound and enduring change that transcends the limitations of this earthly realm. As I continue to navigate this path, I am filled with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. I am committed to living out the Great Commission, spreading love, faith, and the promise of eternal salvation. By doing so, I hope to leave a legacy that surpasses the boundaries of time, bringing lasting impact and transformation to the lives of those I encounter. For in the grand tapestry of existence, it is the eternal matters that hold the utmost importance. By focusing on the Great Commission, we contribute to the ultimate purpose of our lives and participate in a divine plan that extends far beyond the confines of this world. A Testimony of Faith and Courage Looking back on my life's journey, I am in awe of the incredible tapestry of faith, resilience, and unwavering determination that has woven its way through every chapter. In the face of adversity, I have discovered an unshakeable belief in the power of faith, the strength of the human spirit, and the capacity we possess to rise above our circumstances. From the early days of my life in Singapore, where my path took an unexpected turn, to the transformative years spent at the Institute for Foundational Learning (IFL), where I discovered my purpose, and through the life-altering battle with cancer, each experience has shaped me into a vessel of love, compassion, and purpose. My faith has been the cornerstone of my journey, guiding me through the darkest of times and illuminating a path of hope and redemption. It has provided me with the strength to overcome obstacles, the courage to face uncertainty, and the unwavering belief that there is a greater purpose at work in our lives. Through the challenges I have faced, I have learned that resilience is not simply about bouncing back from adversity, but about finding the strength to rise higher and stronger than before. It is through the trials and tribulations that our true character is revealed, and I have emerged with a steadfast determination to persevere, to never give up, and to make the most of every opportunity. The battle with cancer, a formidable opponent that threatened my very existence, tested the depths of my courage and faith. In the face of uncertainty, I found solace in the unwavering support of loved ones, the compassionate care of medical professionals, and the resilience that welled up within me. It was during this time that I truly understood the fragility of life and the urgency to make each moment count. As I reflect on my past, I am reminded of the words of Helen Keller: "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." I have chosen to embrace life as a daring adventure, fearlessly stepping into the unknown, seizing every opportunity to learn, grow, and leave an indelible mark on the world. With each step forward, I am guided by the strength of my faith, knowing that there is a greater purpose at work in my life. I am fueled by the embrace of my calling, dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of others. And I am fueled by the power of love, recognizing that it is through acts of compassion, kindness, and understanding that we can truly make a difference. As I continue on this path of faith and courage, I am humbled by the opportunities that lie before me. I am grateful for every life I have touched, every heart I have inspired, and every moment that has shaped me into the person I am today. May my journey serve as a testimony to the unwavering power of faith, the resilience of the human spirit, and the extraordinary capacity we possess to make a difference, one life at a time. As I continue to walk this path, I am committed to leaving an indelible mark on the world, spreading love, compassion, and purpose wherever I go. For life is indeed a daring adventure, and I choose to embrace it wholeheartedly, fearlessly living, and making each moment count.

TESTIMONY VERIFICATION STATUS: Unverified

TESTIFIER:

Justin Ho

PASTOR:

Justin Ho

LOCATION:

Philippines

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Right to be informed

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Right of access

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Right to rectification

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Rights related to automated decision making

You have rights to avoid being subject to decisions based solely on automated processing (including profiling) which has a significant effect on you. We do not carry out any such processing.

Right to data portability

You have the right to request a copy of certain personal data to have it transferred to another organisation in certain circumstances.

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You also have the right to make a complaint direct to the appropriate privacy body such as your State’s Attorney General.

Why we collect and use personal data

We collect personal data to help us to process your requests, keep in touch with you and to help us to interact with you in the most effective way.

Examples of why we process your personal data include:

To keep you updated on our work and the impact of your support;
To make sure you know about events that you can participate in as a
supporter;
To invite you to participate in campaigns;
To send you fundraising appeals;
To support you as a volunteer;
To process donations or other payments, and verify financial transactions to protect you from fraud;
To process Aid donations and Aid Declarations with the tax authorities;
To process a legacy or gift that you leave in your will;
To provide services, products or information you have requested;
To check with you on how you want us to contact you, and record these preferences;
To keep notes of conversations that you have with our team, as a reference if you want to revisit the conversation later;
To notify you of changes to our policies when these affect you;
To ensure that content from our site is presented in the most effective way for you and your computer;
If we need to do so to comply with a law, process or regulatory requirement;
If we need to do so to comply with a law, process or regulatory requirement;
To process a job application you may make with us.
to allow you to participate in interactive features of our websites when you choose to do so;
to provide customer support;
to provide and maintain our website
to gather analysis or valuable information so that we can improve our website;
to monitor the usage of our website;
to detect, prevent and address technical issue;
to fulfil any other purpose for which you provide it;
to carry out our obligations and enforce our rights arising from any contracts entered into between you and us;
to provide you with notices about your account and/or subscription, including expiration and renewal notices, email-instructions, etc.;
to provide you with news and general information about our website;
in any other way we may describe when you provide the information;
for any other purpose with your consent.

The information that we collect

The personal data that we collect about you will be based on how you interact with us, but we collect the following information from many of our supporters:

Your name;
Your postal and email addresses;
Your telephone number or numbers;
Details of any correspondence that we have had with you. For example, if you call our team, they may make a note of the conversation, in case you need anything else on that matter;
How you would like to hear from us, and when you told us this;
Details of any donations that you have made to us;
Your date of birth;
Any fundraising appeals that you may have responded to;
Events that you have taken part in or enquired about.

There is also other information that we may collect and hold in specific circumstances. For example:

Your bank account details if you set up a direct debit with us;
Health information that you give us if you are participating in an event, to help us to ensure your safety;
Campaigning actions that you have taken on our behalf;
If you are a volunteer or part of our local organiser campaigner network and have told us that you have a specific area of interest to receive training on;
Our telephone system lists the numbers that have recently called or been dialled, but we do not link these to any supporter records;
Information to support our work with high-net-worth individuals, to understand their philanthropic interests, and complete any necessary due diligence.

Sensitive data

Some personal data is legally considered to be sensitive, and so is subject to additional safeguards – in data protection law this is known as” special category” data. Data on the following matters is classed in this way:

Race;
Ethnic origin;
Political opinions;
Religion or philosophical beliefs;
Trade union membership;
Genetics;
Biometrics (where this is used for identification purposes;
Health;
An individual’s sex life; or
Sexual orientation

Similar protections apply to personal data relating to criminal convictions and offences.

We will only collect or use this type of data if there is a specific reason for doing so. We will always explain this reason to you when we ask for the data and will usually ask for your explicit consent to use it. We wouldn’t ask for consent if it is information that you have clearly made public, for example, your religion if you are working with us because you represent a faith group such as our church.

Age is not legally considered as a special category of data, but we will always treat it sensitively.

How and when we collect information about you

There are a number of ways that we collect information; most often this will be directly from you, for example, if you fill out a form on our website, or directly with one of our team. Whenever we ask for information from you we will explain why we are asking for it (including by reference to this policy), and you will always be given a choice about how we communicate with you.

In some very specific circumstances, we will gather data from publicly available sources. We may use data from third parties to keep our records up to date or to enhance the information that we hold. Sometimes you will also provide data to third parties who then pass it to us with your permission. For example, you may be raising money on fundraising platforms, or you may have signed up to one of our campaigns through a 3rd party website.

We do not buy lists of data to use for our marketing purposes or share data with other charities for them to use in their marketing purposes.

Anonymous information: cookies

Like most websites, our site uses cookies; small data files that are downloaded when you use a website, to make the site easier to use. The information that is gathered is totally anonymous to us, but it helps us to see how people use our site, so that we can provide a better user experience.

Technical data that we collect automatically, including cookies and similar technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track the activity on our website. Cookies are files with a small amount of data which may include an anonymous unique identifier.

Cookies are sent to your browser from a website and stored on your device. Other tracking technologies are also used such as beacons, tags and scripts to collect and track information and to improve and analyze our website.

We will automatically collect, store, and use the following categories of data when you browse and search our site:

technical information, for example, the type of device (and its unique device identifier) you use to access our site, the Internet protocol (IP) address used to connect your device to the Internet, browser type and version, time zone setting, browser plug-in types and versions, operating system, mobile network information and platform; and

information about your visit to our site including the full Uniform Resource Locators (URL), clickstream to, through and from the website (including date and time), pages you viewed, page response times, download errors, length of visits to certain pages, page interaction information (such as scrolling, clicks, and mouse-overs), and methods used to browse away from the page.

Most web browsers allow some control of most cookies through the browser settings. To find out more about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set and how to manage and delete them please visit https://www.allaboutcookies.org/.

Our legal basis for processing your information

We will always make sure that we consider why we are processing your personal

data and identify our legal basis for doing so. Often this will be because you have given us your consent. We may also process your data where we are furthering our legitimate aims and have assessed that the processing is not likely to be too intrusive, or to unduly infringe on your rights and freedoms. In legal terms, this is called the “legitimate interests” basis.

In some cases, we have a legal or statutory duty to process information, and we will always comply with any legal requirement.

We may also process your personal data where it is necessary to carry out the terms of a contract which we have with you (or when we are in the process of forming that contract with you).

Marketing communications

We will make it easy for you to tell us if you would like to receive “marketing” communications from us and hear more about our work, and the ways in which you would like to receive this information (post, email, SMS and phone). In every communication, we will always make it clear how you can tell us if you choose not to receive further marketing communications, either at all, on certain topics or by certain methods.

If you tell us that you do not want to receive marketing communications, we will remove you from our list and will then not send you any further marketing materials.

Processing your data on the basis of your consent:

There are a number of circumstances where we only process your data on the basis of your consent. Examples of this are:

To send you marketing by email.
To send you marketing by SMS (text message).
To send you direct messages through social media.
To process health information that you give us if you are participating in an event or travelling overseas.

When you give your consent for us to contact you, we do not treat this as valid indefinitely. However, we understand that our supporters want to continue to hear from us whilst they have an active relationship with us, and for a period afterwards.

Here are some examples of what we mean by an active relationship:

If you make a donation or sponsorship payment to us, including regular monthly gifts or sponsorship donations
If you participate in an event on our behalf (for example a prayer meeting)
If you tell us that you have left us a gift in your Will
If you take a campaigns action for us, such as signing a petition

We will consider your consent to be valid whilst you take these actions, and then for 24 months afterwards, to enable us to keep you up to date with our work and to offer you other ways you might choose to support us. At the end of this time period then we will get in touch with you to re-confirm that you are happy to continue to hear from us.

You can withdraw your consent at any time. If you wish to do so, or have any questions on this, please do just get in touch with our team at any time and they’ll be happy to help.

The Legitimate Interests basis

We have a duty to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ: to promote ourselves and our work; to responsibly raise as much money as possible to further our charitable aims; to update our supporters and the general public on our progress; and to operate in an effective way. We always pursue these interests in a respectful manner, with our purpose and supporters at the heart of what we do.

We might further our legitimate interests in the following ways:

To communicate with you about marketing and fundraising materials or products:

To respond to requests for information, such as where you have asked for an information pack.
To send you mail relating to activity that we think you may be interested in (unless you have told us you do not want this). We will always consider how much mail you receive from us, and what the topic is, to ensure that it is appropriate.
To fulfil gift requests if you have ordered either for yourself or to send them to a gift recipient.
To use social media so that you see our adverts on your newsfeed.

To ensure that we understand our supporters and so can contact them in a way that is relevant for them, and to make sure that we are using our marketing budgets effectively:

To segment and analyse our data that we hold so that we can understand who our supporters are and contact them about specific activity.
To manage our everyday business needs
To work with third party suppliers, where we can make use of their expertise in a specialist field, or where they can provide services at a more cost-effective rate than we could manage internally.
To update our database records to keep them accurate, for example, to amend an address where we receive returned mail.
To contact former job applicants who have been placed in our Talent Bank.

You have the right to object to us processing your data on the grounds of our legitimate interests. If you would like us to stop using your data on this basis, please do get in touch with our Team. You may also see a ‘please do not contact me by post’ box on our communications where we are using the legitimate interest basis, and you can also tick this to ask us to stop sending these.

Administrative messages

There are some administrative messages that we legally must share with you, which are not affected by how you have told us you would like us to contact you for marketing purposes.

Examples of these include:

Confirming subscription to a newsletter;
Confirming the details of any direct debit that you set up with us, including your bank account and payment details; and
Confirming where you have made an Aid Declaration orally, so that we can give you the information on the tax implications of this.

How we work with third parties in processing personal data

We sometimes work with third parties. It’s important that you understand the circumstances where this might happen, and who we work with.

We never sell or swap your details with any other organisation for their marketing purposes.

These are some examples of how we work with third parties:

Analytics and other third-party tools. We employ third-party tools to monitor and analyze the use of our website, and to automate certain processes related to the development and operation of our website.
For payments. We use third parties for payment, analytics, and other business services. Such providers will collect identifying information about the devices that connect to their services. They use this information to operate and improve the services they provide to us, including for fraud detection.
Where we work with other offices, subsidiaries or affiliates.
Where we sign a contract with a third-party supplier to carry out services for us. These contracts will always hold a supplier to our own high standards of data protection, to ensure that they treat your information with the same care as we do.
Where you register to take part in an event, and we have to provide your details to the event organiser to secure your place.
Where a company sends us data because you have given permission for them to share it.
Where we use companies who can help us to enhance the information that we hold about you.
Where we might use your phone number or email address to communicate with you on social media. This won’t be through direct, personal messages, but updates about our work and stories that we think you might be interested in, which might appear in the form of content on your newsfeed.
Where we legally have to share information. For example, if you make an Aid declaration to enable us to claim Aid on donations that you make, we have to share your name and address with US tax authorities so that they can audit our claim.

External websites

Our website contains links to and from various third-party sites. If you follow a link to any of these external sites, please note that these sites have their own privacy policies and that we do not accept any responsibility or liability for these policies. Please check these policies before you submit any personal data to these third-party sites.

We may use companies to provide services and process your personal data on our behalf, where they have a specific expertise or can offer the most cost-effective solution for us. Some of the activities that third-party companies carry out for us are:

Packing and delivering postal mail;
Making telephone calls to our supporters;
Signing up new supporters for us in door to door, street or private site campaigns;
Sending emails;
Processing credit card payments;

Whenever we work with a company in this way, we will always have a contract with them, to be certain that they treat your data with the same level of care and respect as we do. We will only send them the data that they need to carry out their specific service, and they are required to delete it or return it to us once they have completed this. Your data will only ever be passed to them for the services that they carry out on our behalf, it is never shared for their marketing purposes.

Event organisers

Some events require us to pass your personal information to the event organisers to secure your place. We will always make this clear to you at the point of your registration, so you understand the information that we will transfer, and who will receive it.

Third Parties who send us data

Some third-party organisations collect data on our behalf, and share it with us, in accordance with their policies and procedures for data protection compliance. Some of these organisations are Data Management companies, which we use to ensure that data you have provided us with is up to date. We do not use this to add new contact data; so if we already have your address, we may update this, but if we do not have your telephone number we will not use one of these companies to find and record it.

Whenever you give your data to any organisation, you should always make yourself aware of their Data Protection and Privacy Policies.

Companies who provide us with additional information

Understanding our supporters helps us to provide them with a really personalised experience and makes sure that we use our marketing budgets in the most efficient way. We may collect the following additional information about our supporters:

Information on the size and composition of your household
Information about your interests and hobbies
The age band that you fall into.

Social media

Using social media is a great way for us to update you on our work, and let you know the difference your support is making. As an example, when we upload a file to Facebook which is ‘locally hashed’; a highly secure encryption method. This file is used to find our supporters on Facebook and Instagram by matching email or phone number data to Facebook and Instagram accounts. In addition to this, we may use your data to create ‘lookalike’ audiences on Facebook and Instagram. This means that Facebook and Instagram will match interests, behaviour and demographics to create a new audience which closely matches our existing supporters. Using this method is the most efficient way for us to reach more people who are likely to take an interest in our work.

Where we have a legal requirement

We will always share data where we have a legal requirement to do so. Examples of this include providing audit information to the US tax authorities for our Aid claims or if we are required to do so by law enforcement officials. If we were to merge with another charity or restructure, we may also share your personal details with other entities involved in the merger/restructure for that purpose.

How long we keep your data for

We want to make sure that we have up to date records for as long as you are actively supporting us, so for as long as you take actions on our behalf or to engage with us, such as participate in our campaigns, donate to us or correspond with us. Once you are no longer an active supporter, we will keep your data for a set period of time, which we calculate depending on the information that you originally provided, and why you gave it to us. At the end of this time period, we will remove any personal details from our records of you, to ensure that any information is entirely anonymous.

In general, we will keep records of financial donors for at least seven years, to meet our requirements for any Aid audit from US tax authorities. If we have asked for sensitive personal data specific to an event, we will dispose of this data within a month after the event.

You can find more detailed information on how long we keep your data for, and other timescales that might apply below.

In most cases we will keep records for seven years after you last make a donation to us. This ensures that we keep the information we need for any financial audit (including Aid audits).

The seven-year time period applies to most people, but you should be aware of the exceptions, which we will communicate as applicable.

What happens at the end of this time period?

At the end of this time period, we will remove your personal details from our records, to ensure that they are entirely anonymous. We keep records on how our supporters have interacted with us, but not of who those supporters are.

Your right to be forgotten

You have a right to be forgotten, which means that you can ask us to delete your personal details before the end of the time limits we’ve listed in the table above. You should know that there are some circumstances where we may need to keep your details, for example, in order to comply with a legal obligation. If this situation occurs then we will explain and discuss these circumstances with you.

If you would like to discuss or exercise this right, please do get in touch with our Team.

How we keep your information secure

We take the care of your data very seriously and we use a combination of organisational and technological security measures to protect your personal information to the highest possible standards. This includes the use of secure servers, firewalls, virus & malware protection, secure socket layer (SSL) encryption and secure file transfer protocol for our work with third parties. We follow payment card industry (PCI) security compliance guidelines when processing credit card payments.

Access to all data is protected by complex passwords, including letters, numbers and characters: in some cases more than one method of authentication is used. We make sure that only staff who need to access your personal data can do so. Any member of our staff who has access to your personal data is given training to make sure that they understand the importance of keeping your information safe and secure at all times.

Whilst we take all of the measures that we’ve outlined above, unfortunately, the transmission of information using the internet is not completely secure. Although we will do our best to protect your personal data sent to us this way, we cannot guarantee the security of data transmitted to our site.

In the extremely unlikely event that we experience a data breach, our Data Protection Officer would immediately work with our Information Security Officer and the relevant State Attorney General if necessary.

Where we keep your information and when it might be transferred outside of the US

We are aware that countries other than the US have differing standards of data privacy. Much of our data is kept within our systems in the US, but there are a number of exceptions that you should be aware of: If you are a sponsor or volunteer, your name and address will be added to our international database. This can be accessed by an international team (including those from affiliates) in other parts of the world.

Your data may also leave the US if you travel with us, for example by signing up to one of our missionary trips. This will only be information specifically related to your trip, for example to book your travel, or to arrange your visit to one of our sites with our overseas colleagues.

Some countries (but not every country in which we work) have been determined by the US to have “adequate” standards of data protection compliance.

Transfer of Personal Data Outside of the European Economic Area (“EEA”) and International Users:

We are headquartered in the United States. Your Personal Data may be accessed by us or transferred to us in the United States or to our affiliates, partners, merchants, or service providers who are located worldwide. If you are visiting our Site from outside the United States, be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the Country where our servers are located, and our central dataset is operated. Any transfer of Personal Data from the EEA to the U.S. or any other country will utilize one or more of the approved data transfer mechanisms which may include Privacy Shield, Model Contractual Clauses or Binding Corporate Rules. By using our Service, you consent to any transfer of this information.

How we use your information if you apply for a role

We collect information from anyone who applies to work or volunteer. We only use this information for our recruitment or employment purposes and it is entirely separate to our supporter data. As an applicant or employee, you are entitled to the same rights as our supporters, and these are outlined in our Rights section.

Applicants

When you apply to work or volunteer we will ask for information about you and your work history to understand how your skills and past experience matches the requirements of a role.

There are two circumstances where we might disclose details outside of our organisation as we process your application:

1. We will ask for details of referees, and we will contact them to verify the information that you have given us – when we contact them, we will share your name and the role that you have applied for. We contact referees on the basis of our legitimate interests as an organisation to understand applicants and their suitability for the roles they apply for.

2. Some roles also require us to obtain a disclosure from a disclosure & barring (or equivalent) service. This will be clearly marked in the advertisement, and so we will not give you further notice before we apply for this disclosure.

All candidates applying to work or to volunteer will automatically have their application details saved and retained on our secure recruitment portal and in our Talent Bank for 7 years. We use our Talent Bank to identify candidates who were unsuccessful in their application, but who we feel may have an interest in and suitability for another role.

If you would like for us to remove your personal details from our system at any time before that, please let us know.

You should know that we always keep anonymous statistical information about applicants to develop our recruitment processes and for equality and diversity monitoring, but this does not contain any information that could be used to identify individual job applicants.

Employees

If you begin employment with us, we will put together a staff file, which will contain your information. We keep this information in this file secure and will only use it for matters that apply directly to your employment with us.

We provide all of our employees with an internal privacy notice, which explains exactly how we process their data as an employee, including how we use their personal data in case of emergency, and how long we retain all of this information for.

Changes to this Policy

This policy was last updated on November 6, 2023.

From time to time, we may make changes to this Policy and you will always be able to see here when it was last updated. If we make significant changes, such as in how or why we process your personal data, we may also publicise these changes on our website or may contact you directly with more information.

Please do revisit this policy each time you consider giving your personal data to www.ourtestimony.org.

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See What God Has Done For Others

TESTIMONY:

TESTIMONY VERIFICATION STATUS: Unverified

TESTIFIER:

Justin Ho

PASTOR:

Justin Ho

LOCATION:

Philippines

Comments (0)

Get testimonies from others sent to your inbox!

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