The Hope that Keeps Cherry’s Dreams Alive
Cherry grew up in Dulag, Leyte, in a small household that survived by selling bananas and other crops. Her maternal uncle and aunt took her in when she was only a few months old, after she was neglected by her biological mother. When the small business did well, there was food on the table; when it did not, everyone tightened their belts. There was no stable income and no parents to lean on. From a young age, Cherry understood that money was always tight and that she should not “ask for too much.”
As she grew older, the gap between what she hoped for and what she could afford became clearer. She dreamed of going to college and taking up Mechanical Engineering, but every step toward that dream carried a cost her guardians could not bear. Growing up without support from either parent meant she had to worry about school fees, transportation, and basic needs almost on her own. Quietly, she began to wonder if senior high school would be the end of her education.
The pressure at home made this fear heavier. Her uncle and aunt, focused on daily expenses and the survival of their banana stall, wanted her to stop schooling after senior high and help full-time at the shop. Cherry, however, held on to her dream of college. The disagreement created tension in the household and left her feeling even more alone.
Even before any outside help, Cherry tried to find her own way forward. She helped sell bananas and received a small wage. Instead of spending it, she saved part of it for future school needs. She searched for free-tuition universities and kept an eye out for scholarships that might make college possible. Outwardly she stayed calm and respectful, but inside she did not know how long she could keep hoping. “There were times I wasn’t sure if I could still go to college or pursue my dream course,” she recalls.
The turning point came when she was accepted into the NSFI college scholarship program implemented by Hope Worldwide Philippines in Tacloban City. In August 2024, the scholarship began providing her with a monthly allowance for school expenses and transportation. She also joined regular group sessions and became part of a circle of scholars guided by HOPE Worldwide Philippines – Center of Hope Tacloban, her university adviser, and the NSFI team.
For Cherry, the scholarship was more than cash support. It was a sign that someone believed in her future. “The NSFI scholarship has truly been a big impact in my life,” she says. “It helped me afford the things I needed in school… But more than that, it gave me hope.”
With the stipend, she no longer had to calculate every fare, photocopy, or basic supply. The group sessions gave her a safe space to talk about her worries and learn coping strategies. Regular check-ins from staff and open communication with her school and guardians made her feel less alone.
Change began to show quickly. Cherry successfully transitioned from senior high school to college and enrolled in BS Mechanical Engineering. As she adjusted to the demands of her course, she became more independent and resilient. She learned to manage her time, balance studies with part-time work, and take responsibility for her own decisions. Her confidence grew, and she started joining student organizations and volunteering in school activities, something she once thought was not for someone like her.
Support from the program also opened the way for healing at home. When Cherry learned that her uncle was ill, it softened her resentment and encouraged her to reconnect. The tension between them eased as her guardians slowly began to see how important education was to her. They realized she was not choosing school over family but choosing school so she could help the family more in the future. Over time, they became more supportive of her studies.
As her commitment to education strengthened, Cherry made a major decision: she moved out of her guardians’ home so she could continue studying in Tacloban City. She now lives in a boarding house, balancing classes with part-time work to support her food and lodging. Former senior high school teachers sometimes step in with groceries or small photography jobs for events, helping her cover daily needs. These acts of support, combined with the stability of the scholarship, allow her to stay in school even when life becomes difficult.
On campus, Cherry is now known not only as a Mechanical Engineering student but also as an active member of school-based organizations. Through scholar activities and exposure to advocacy work, she has strengthened her leadership and communication skills. She has moved from quietly doubting her future to speaking up, participating, and encouraging others. The girl who once feared that college was out of reach now walks through the university grounds as a second-year student, already thinking ahead to board exams and a professional career.
“Honestly, this scholarship lessened so many of my worries,” she shares. “I no longer had to constantly think about where to get the money for school stuff when all I wanted was just to finish college and find a good job. I want to be able to give back someday to help my community and the people who helped me stand when I felt like falling apart.”
Cherry’s journey is still unfolding, but the direction is clear. She plans to complete her engineering degree, pass the licensure exam, and secure a stable job. In the long term, she hopes to support other young people who are carrying the same financial struggles and family issues she once faced alone.
Her transformation rests on three strands woven together: the steady support of the NSFI college scholarship program, Hope Worldwide Philippines – Tacloban’s guidance and supervision, and the encouragement and small but meaningful help from teachers and other adults. Of course, her own determination keeps the flame going despite setbacks. Under NSFI’s Education Program, Cherry has moved from doubt to determination and from simply hoping for a future to actively building one. ###
