The Goducate scholarship program has been running for a few years for students from Laguna, Philippines. Recently it was extended to students from two other places –the island of Tambaliza, and central Iloilo. So arrangements were made for the scholarship holders from Laguna to meet the others, to learn from and to encourage each other.
The scholarship program enables students who otherwise cannot afford it to obtain a tertiary education. In return, scholarship holders help out with Goducate programs.
One group of Laguna scholarship holders visited the 13 from central Iloilo, and another visited the 6 from Tambaliza.
Tambaliza Island is also known as the Pan de Azucar. This island is one of the 17 variously inhabited and uninhabited islands that come under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Concepcion in North-eastern Iloilo. Tambaliza is known for Mount Pan de Azucar (Mount Sugarloaf), a steep volcanic cone. The main means of livelihood on this island is fishing.
The Laguna students who visited the homes of the Tambaliza students learnt of the financial hardships faced by the latter. Most did not go home for weekends. Instead, after paying for various university fees and projects, they used the remaining money for food instead of for travel home. The Tambaliza students also shared about their challenges with their studies.
This trip was an eye-opener for the students from Laguna. It made them realize how privileged they are to be living in Laguna. What they learnt has greatly motivated them to study hard and to start dreaming of being able to help the needy on Tambaliza Island.
