The story of a Filipino girl who killed herself earlier this month hit close to home for Lynnwood resident, Christine Umayam. Deprivation and need were the driving force why 12 year old Marianett Amper took her life. Marianett had no money to finish her school project. Feeling hopeless, she hanged herself.
Poverty is something Umayam has seen first hand when she visited the Philippines last year. On her month long vacation, she met children like Marianett. She saw many of them begging for money along dirty streets. Many had no food to eat. When Umayam returned home to America, she was a changed person.
The thoughts of the children continued to stay in her mind. Umayam worked at a local Eastside marketing company making nearly a six figure income. She didn’t want to forget what she saw in the Philippines so she put up pictures at her desk with children smiling and making peace signs. Every time she looked at the pictures, it gave her the idea she needed to do something.
It would be a year later before the voice inside Umayam told her what that something was. Someone at the company complimented her on a necklace she was wearing: a multiple-stranded necklace with a shell pendant that she purchased from the Philippines. Throughout the year, Umayam received similar compliments on other necklaces she wore. It was then Christine realized she was onto something.
Umayam went back to the Philippines in January 2007 and it confirmed her calling. She would combine her fashion and business mind with her philanthropic side and start Child United. The online company sells exotic jewelry from Asia and 50% of the proceeds will go to a special education fund to help children get the education they deserve.
Without hesitation, Umayam left her high paying job in May. No more paychecks. No more meetings. No more familiar routine.
She traded it for a journey she’s never traveled before. She started Child United from a spare bedroom of her home. The room is now decorated with pictures of children on her walls. These are the children she met in the Philippines. She even has a picture of Oprah to inspire her. Umayam said, “I left a very comfortable job… for this. Although, I’m not getting paid much, I know one day Child United will help. I could possibly provide an opportunity for the future president of the Philippines. Child United could help revolutionize the Philippines out of poverty. At least that’s what I hope.”
“I was shocked at first when I learned she left her job!” Maureen Francisco said. Francisco is Christine’s long time friend. “But I knew Child United was something she’s been passionate about. Christine kept a diary of ideas about her future business from the name of her company to her business plan. Whenever she was inspired, she would write her thoughts on paper. It’s nice to see her ideas turning into reality.”
Francisco now volunteers as a media director for Child United. Umayam recruited two other people, including Spencer Dahlquist, Christine’s former coworker and Marissa Tejada, Christine’s friend. The team is now Child United.
Less than six months after leaving her job, Umayam is happy to say Child United is open for business. The website, www.childunited.org features a variety of exotic jewelry from the Philippines and Thailand. She recently expanded her collection to include specialty items for weddings and gifts.
Visitors who go to www.childunited.org can learn more about the specific projects Child United will undertake. There is also video of the poverty Umayam witnessed first hand along with a story from a Seattle radio station.
The story of Marianett Amper is giving Umayam more strength to continue on. She says, “It’s the most tragic thing to hear-- a little girl kills herself because she had no opportunity, no hope. I want to give kids like her hope.”
To contact Christine Umayam directly, you may email her at
\n childunited@childunited.org
|
