Emergency Response in Cagayan

One Agta family beneficiary from Sitio Pureg of Barangay Callungan in Sanchez Mira Cagayan brought a huge impact in the lives of Indigenous Peoples community. Their eldest daughter who  is 31 years old, single and eldest child among 7 siblings. She completed her secondary education through passing the Accreditation and Equivalency Test of DepEd’s Alternative Learning System in 2010. With the help of National Commission for Indigenous Peoples Cagayan Valley Region’s scholarship in partnership with the Philippine Normal University Isabela Campus, she graduated with a degree on  Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEEd) in 2017 and she passed the March 2023 Licensure Examination for Teachers and took oath on June 17, 2023 in Cagayan State University, Tuguegarao City. Here is her simple testimony that could inspire and challenge others to strive hard as well in life.

“My family was blessed to be one among those families helped and responded by the Global Peace Foundation Philippines and GlobalGiving after super typhoon Ompong (“Mangkhut’) All of the provisions/donations were important and immediate need of our family. Our electricity was having unstable connection, we are fortunate to receive a solar lamp was from Global Peace Foundation and GlobalGiving which we can use, it was environment friendly and became our buddy to study at night, relearn our lessons and make our assignments.  Until today, the water container is very useful to have our clean and safe water. 

My life as a student was not easy, at that time I can’t concentrate because almost every day my family were being chased by these debts, as the eldest child I am bothered and feel responsible for my family after I graduated from ALS, I decided to stop attending school and start working as domestic helper, which I thought was the best thing I could do. But each day became heavier than before. I regret giving up on my studies for 6 years and rushing with things that should not be rushed. I disappointed a lot of people. Why is regret always at the end?   Another school year passed by, I was not able to go back to school and I was almost on the verge of giving up. I wanted to tell my mother that I was really tired carrying the loads of problems we had. But I would hold back because I knew it was much more difficult for her. I did not have the right to complain for these were the consequences of my actions. I felt even more left out as time went by. I did not know if I could really go back to school, seeing how the education system shifted to distance learning. I was full of doubts and fears, but I also didn’t want to make more decisions I would regret in the end.

I was not used to listening to people’s advice, but I learned that in order to get back on your feet, you have to humble yourself and accept help from people who will lift you up. The Lord helped me in many ways through His instruments for me to go back to school. I am thankful to the Global Peace Foundation and GlobalGiving in supporting and empowering my family and capacitating my community that encouraged me to stand on my feet again and reach for my dreams. My mother told me this is a brand-new start for me. I have many regrets in life, but dwelling on them every day won’t help me to move forward. All I can do now is never make those same mistakes again and give my 100% in everything I do.

It’s difficult to be the eldest child, to be a sister, to be a mother, and at the same time a student, but I will strive hard to finish this race no matter what it takes. I told myself that having awards is just a bonus for me because I have bigger responsibilities now.

I’m thankful to all who helped me, despite my failures in the past, I won the fight of achieving my dreams. I prayed a lot to pass the Licensure Examination for Teachers, and I am thankful that I made it. This is another milestone of my journey in my professional career.

To all the students who are struggling today, never give up, you can do it. Just keep going. When you get tired, take a pause and breathe, then stand up and fight again.”