JEMIMAH GERMANO
JEMIMAH
GERMANO
S.Y. 2015-2016
BS Hotel and Restaurant Management
I grew up in the province. I was four years old when my biological dad died from Alzheimer's disease and eventually my mom remarried.
We are a total of seven in the family including my step-dad's children from his late wife. At that time, he was a bus driver in Leyte and he worked hard to provide for us. I can say that we were not really in lack but we were still very limited. My stepdad earned around PhP 1,000 – 1,500 per week.
So, growing up, I knew how to be content with whatever my parents could put on the table. I learned how to be resourceful as well because in the province, whenever I'm hungry, I would just look for some trees to climb that I think were not owned by anyone then I’d have something to eat. There were papayas, mangoes, santol, star apples, etc. We just had a very simple life.
When I was in high school, our relatives offered to help us study in Manila. They did support our studies, but it was difficult for us because it was like we were always waiting on them to provide for us and we were dependent on them. That situation made me realize I had to do something.
Before Real LIFE, I knew that graduating from high school will be the start of the real world for me. I knew that I wouldn't be able to finish my studies unless I found a job and earned enough money to afford supporting myself through college. My mom asked me to let my older brother finish college first.
At that time, we were already part of Victory Alabang. I was in a Victory Group and was attending youth service. With the help of Every Nation Campus, my faith in God and my relationship with Him grew. I started to be in faith that time that I won’t have to stop studying and that I will get into college.
I acted in that faith by studying well in high school and looking for government scholarship grants, but I never passed. Then one time, my classmate who was also attending youth service told me about Real LIFE.
I'll never forget that day! May 25, 2012: the Lord honored my faith and I received an acceptance letter from Real LIFE.
Jemimah (middle) and a fellow scholar with then Real LIFE Alabang Coordinator Ida Henson
And so, my entire college days and even after I graduated, I only operated in faith and by the grace of God alone. I learned that the Lord already has a future for me even if I wasn't envisioning a future for myself.
Before, I thought I had to look pitiful. I thought I had to look really poor to convince people that I somehow deserved a scholarship. But eventually, I realized that I was given this opportunity because someone believed in my dreams and, ultimately, it was God's plan for me. Through Real LIFE, my view of myself, my mindsets, and my perspective changed.
Right now, I'm working for a multinational hospitality company as a luxury specialist. I've been with the company for almost four years now and have already been promoted thrice for different departments and capacities.
My family and I were finally able to move out from our relatives’ house and stand on our own. I am able to help send my brother to school, provide for the daily needs of our family, and support a campus missionary. Both of my parents also volunteer in coaching the parents of current Real LIFE scholars.
Jemimah with her family
I'm really grateful to be part of this Real LIFE family, grateful for everyone who believed in our dreams and supported us financially and through prayer. It really made a difference, an impact not just in my life but in my family as well. It's a blessing to be a recipient of God's grace through the generosity of others. Personally, it compels me to also be a channel of blessing and inspire those with a similar situation that I went through.
Thank you, Real LIFE partners, for giving to LIFE!
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