As we enter the third year of the pandemic TMI still looks forward to celebrating the year as one of our scholars, Christian Balagat will be graduating Bachelors of Technology and Livelihood Education - Major in Agri-fishery and Arts soon! So make ready cap, gown, and tassels!
As we set forth for Christians graduation let us take a trip down memory lane and recollect with our TMI graduates. As our very own Jelanie Jacon Sepe shares her journey with the TMI scholarship program in this story she calls Redemption.
Redemption
by Jelanie Jacon Sepe
TMI Scholar, 2018
“Success doesn't come to you; you've got to go to it.” – Marva Collins
Each one of us are set with our fate and this is affected by the choices we make. As what the saying goes, we are the captain of our ship. We can hardly blame no one if things do not go as planned as well as what we expected to happen.
The pre-requisite to success, as we deemed it to be, is education. Our parents strive their very best to send us to school and give everything they have to sustain our needs even it means depriving their own. Providing good education may be a piece of cake to fortunate families but how about those poverty-stricken families? Whose livelihood barely provides for the whole family and education is on the edge of deprivation. Is there any hope for these families to see the end of the tunnel? Grab the light, hold on to it, and find the redemption they ought to achieve.
Six years ago, I was given the chance to try and give my family milk and honey. Tambayayong Mainit, Incorporated or TMI, hand me the ammunition for success – a scholarship grant. Looking back, I was married at the age of 18 (eighteen) and obviously did not finish my college. 4 (four) years after I gave birth, I continued my studies. Enrolled at Surigao State College of Technology – Mainit Campus with the course Bachelor of Secondary Education major in T.L.E. – Agriculture. I applied to various scholarships to aid my finances in school and fortunately I became a grantee for 2 (two) years. Until I heard about TMI offering scholarship program to poor but deserving students. I gave it a shot and luckily, I was chosen. I’m on my third year in college that time. I felt so blessed when TMI happened to me because they offered full scholarship – tuition fee, miscellaneous, and monthly allowance as well. What more could I possibly ask for? In return, I provided them good grades and achievements for the remaining 2 (two) years in college. Despite being married, managing and balancing my time between my family and college, I gave my best in my studies because an opportunity like this does not come often. People who put their trust and faith in you, make you their scholar, and support you all the way until you graduate are heaven sent.
TMI has already fulfilled 7 (seven) dreams since they started their scholarship program. These individuals are now living their lives doing what they love and providing their families the best they can. Let me give you a sneak peek of the successful scholars of Tambayayong Mainit, Incorporated
These faces wearing their sweetest smiles are one of the many people who were supported with the helping hands of Tambayayong Mainit, Incorporated. We will forever be grateful to this organization composed of compassionate, God-fearing, and kind-hearted individuals who continue to help the community and the catalyst of environmental sustainability. As a TMI scholar, I wish to extend the goodness they let me experience to other people who need help at the best of my ability. In my nature of work, I am a public servant and I intend to serve the people with dedication to give them the service they deserve. I was shown and given kindness by TMI and I will do the same. Kindness pays off. Doing good things to other people is rewarding – not just to your being but to the depths of your soul. There may be a fork in the road as we try to reach our dreams and trying moments where our faith is tested. Keep on keeping on to the waves of life and surely, just around the corner, redemption will come through.
JJS
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