“It all started with a vision. In the near future, I want to see myself helping and molding children to reach their dreams so they could achieve a quality life. I want to inspire children to live for their dreams and never give up. I want to teach them that life is not about what you cannot have because you are poor. I desire to teach them values and inspire them that poverty is indeed not enough reason to give up,” said Irene P. TIra, one (1) of the 61 graduating students of the Expanded Student’s Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGPPA) scholars in Caraga Region.

Irene’s graduation day is on April 12, 2016. She will be graduating with the degree Bachelor of Arts in Philippine Literature at Caraga State University (CSU)-main campus in Ampayon, Butuan City. Her family resides in Purok-3, Dona Flavia, San Luis, Agusan del Sur.