Poverty is a life-crushing force which hinders individuals to succeed, and limit productivity. Lack of access to resources is among the most common reasons why those in poverty do not thrive. These are just a few of the realities among those struggling, and are facing poverty.

 

But to a resilient person, it only takes a great deal of effort and an opportunity to break from the grip of poverty. Just like the flourishing story of a 13-year-old, grade 8 student, Sharpey Alexandrite E. Jaum of Barangay Maharlika, Bislig City, currently enrolled in the Saint Vincent de Paul Diocesan College. Sharpey is a consistent honor student since her grade school days, and is one of the monitored children of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

 

To support the growing family of six, Michelle Jaum, Sharpey’s mother, had to leave the City of Bislig in search for greener pastures. She left her 4 children in the care of her mother, Rowena Conchita Jaum, the grantee of the program. In order to put food on the table, Rowena, had to do part-time work as a laundress and church cleaner.

Sharpey, on the other hand manages to juggle household chores and taking good care of her younger siblings without compromising her studies. Her perfect class attendance and excellent performance in school, proves it all.

Sharpey is ensuring that her dreams and plans are in place. She does this by taking on challenges and opportunities one day at a time. In school, she is recognized as a good leader – she bagged an Outstanding Supreme Pupil Government award as a student government president. She also participates in different school academic conferences and contests.

 

“I am a proud beneficiary of 4Ps, and with the support I gained from my grandmother, I have high hopes that my dreams would come true.” – Sharpey said.

Sharpey considers herself fortunate, even if she did not have the presence of a father growing up. It was in 2016 when they became a beneficiary of the 4Ps. Despite not having both parents to provide for their needs, Sharpey is thankful to the program since it gave them the opportunity to get into a private school in spite the pandemic.

 

“Pantawid really helps the beneficiaries, especially in getting access to education. I’d be forever grateful to this program and the government for serving as the channel of blessing for me to succeed,” she said.

 

Right now, Sharpey is enrolled in the current school year. Despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic, she finds ways to cope with them. Her biggest problem as of the moment is having reliable internet connection to answer her lessons. But with her determination to finish her studies, she finds time to go to her classmate’s house so that she can answer her modules and in return, she would do some household chores.

True to her words, not even the pandemic and poverty can stop her from turning her dreams into reality – and this is to get a Bachelor’s degree and be a successful professional, someday.