If you asked Angielyn Octia back in college how she spent her day, she wouldn’t just give you a list of subjects. She would give you a list of jobs.
Growing up in Los Baños, Angielyn knew that a diploma was her family’s only ticket to a better life, but that ticket was expensive. To keep her dreams alive, she became a master of the hustle. She worked as a caregiver, did laundry for others, sold products in church and at school, and served as a student assistant for her professors.
While her classmates were worrying about exams, Angielyn was often worrying about whether her earnings for the day would be enough for tomorrow’s jeepney fare.
Beyond the noise of criticism
As if the physical exhaustion wasn’t enough, Angielyn also had to deal with the noise of people doubting her. She grew up hearing criticisms from those who thought she’d never finish. They saw her struggles and assumed she’d eventually drop out.
But Angielyn had a secret weapon: her determination. In her handwritten testimony, she shared just how much the support meant to her:
“Being a Real LIFE scholar is a great blessing… the scholarship didn’t just help me financially, but it also helped me to be a better person and a leader. It gave me the hope that I could finish my studies and help my family.”
Trading side hustles for study time
When she became a scholar, it felt like a heavy backpack was finally taken off her shoulders. The financial support meant she could drop the laundry services and the extra side jobs. For the first time, she could focus on just being a student.
The scholarship didn’t just provide funds; it gave her a community that believed in her when others didn’t. The possibility of realizing her dream for a better life finally became attainable.
A renovated life
Fast forward to today, and the transformation is visible even in the walls of their home. Now working as a General Virtual Assistant, Angielyn has successfully led her family to a more stable life.
The family now has their own store managed by her father, and they’ve finally been able to renovate their house—a far cry from the days when she was juggling five jobs just to get by. Angielyn didn’t just finish her studies; she built a whole new life for the people she loves.
How you can help
Angielyn’s story is a testament to what happens when we invest in the dreams of our youth. But there are still many working students in Los Baños and across the Philippines waiting for their chance to finish school without the crushing weight of poverty.
- Be a Partner: You can choose to sponsor a scholar’s allowance so they can focus on their studies instead of extra side jobs.
- Spread the Word: Share Angielyn’s story with your friends or your company to help us reach more potential partners.
- Give a Gift: Every donation, no matter the size, helps us provide educational assistance to students in need.
