We received a disturbing email last week.
Lillian (not her real name), our college scholar in Samar, informed us that she might be forced to quit next semester.
Reason?
Her father, a tricycle driver, figured in an accident. Consequently, the tricycle owner refused to let her father drive any tricycle anymore.
For those KFam members who aren’t familiar with our tricycle or jeepney operations system in the Philippines, most of the drivers do not own the vehicles they drive.
The drivers merely “rent” the vehicle from the owner or operator with a fixed daily rate. The amount of fares that the drivers earn on top of the “rent” is what the drivers bring home to their families as “net income.”
No job, no income, no college study. The equation is as simple and as brutal as that.
That really, really hurt.
The subsidy normally given by our Pagasa Scholarship Foundation— one of the ministries supported by KFam—covers tuition fees only. We do not have the means to shoulder all schooling expenses such as transportation fares, daily lunch, school projects and other miscellaneous costs.
If we do that, the scholarship fund will be depleted in no time at all.
And all other scholars will suffer as a result.
And so we prayed. We believe in God’s providence.
Then the other day, our scholar Lillian gave us this news: her mother began taking laundry jobs from their more affluent neighbors. One of her elder sisters got a job as a domestic helper in their town.
And the combined incomes, though very modest, plus Pagasa Foundation’s financial support next semester, will tide them over and keep our scholar in college.
With God’s grace and your continuing support, Lillian will yet become a successful accountant four years from now.
God provides! All we have to do is do two things: Ask and Act. (This is a Soulfood article I’ll be sending you.)
May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez
PS. Do you want to visit and see our ministry work? Feel free to visit us anytime. Email Rey Ortega at reylindo.ortega@gmail.com.
PS2. Help us support Lilian and others like her. To give your monthly donations to KFam, click here now. May the Lord reward you abundantly!
