Donor Spotlight: Heidi Gunderson
When Heidi went to the Philippines in February 2026 with Thrive’s first-ever donor tour, she expected to get a sense of Thrive’s impact in the communities they visited. But what she experienced in Dawahon Island and Katutubo Village moved her beyond all her expectations. As the visitors went into the island town, the entire community lined the narrow streets to give them a warm welcome.
Dawahon schoolkids greeting Thrive donors including Heidi as they arrive in Dawahon Island
Heidi with Dawahon schoolkids in the schoolgrounds after a welcome program for Thrive
For Heidi, that outpouring of goodwill from the village was proof that Thrive’s work had become an important part of the community. Thrive was more than just a school program — it had reached people’s hearts.
Visiting Suraya, in her home in Katutubo Village, Heidi saw grateful mothers caring for their children with joy and commitment. She met Karmina, a young swimmer in Dawahon who lost both parents and has been fending for herself for the most part. And in encountering a mother whose children had returned to school because of Thrive, Heidi felt all the emotion of a concerned parent who feels new hope for her child’s future.
Suraya (mom from Katutubo Village who helps prepare Thrive meals) hosts Thrive donors Hannah, Heidi, and Cindy in her home near the school
Heidi meets members of the Dawahon School swim team, including Karmina (on Heidi’s left)
Heidi shares: “Being part of the Thrive community showed me how a simple school meal can create cultural connections and bonds that lift an entire community, not just one child. If someone ever wondered whether their donation matters — even the smallest one — I’d share what I saw in the Philippines. The impact reaches far beyond what you expect.”
