Late U.S. President H.W. Bush sponsored a child in the Philippines for 10 years after he left the White House, the charity who connected them has revealed the warm story with handwritten letters on December 19, 2018. /VCG Photo 

Using the pseudonym George Walker in their correspondence, Bush began writing to Timothy, then a 7-year-old boy in 2002 as part of sponsorship through the nonprofit organization Compassion International. /VCG Photo

“I want to be your new pen pal,” Bush wrote in his first letter to Timothy. He also introduced himself as an “old man” who lived in Texas and loved kids. Then for a decade, Bush supported Timothy’s education and extra-curricular activities. /VCG Photo

The boy, who shared photos, poems and drawings in response, was shocked to find out a former president was his pen pal until he turned 17. Reports indicate Bush’s spokesman has confirmed the validity of the letters. Bush died at the age of 94 last month and was laid to rest at his presidential library in College Station, Texas following a week of tributes. /VCG Photo