JOSEPH CADANO
JOSEPH
CADANO
S.Y. 2013-2014
BS Elementary Education
It was 2012 when Pastor Paul Herrera introduced the Real LIFE scholarship to me. It was also the same year my father died. He was a pedicab driver and was the one sending me to school. I was a working student then and I’d get my tuition from what I earned from summer jobs.
2012 was also when I met the Lord Jesus Christ, but I did not totally surrender everything to Him yet. All I was concerned about was finishing my studies because there are six of us siblings. If I were to finish my education, I’d be the first degree holder in our family. But some of our relatives mocked my dream, saying it was too big for our family’s reality.
My mom is a vendor. So, to sustain my education, I kept going to the offices of councilors at our place to apply for scholarship grants that the politicians knew me already. I kept on trying until I got interviewed by Real LIFE. Then and there during the panel interview, hope sparked in me. I felt the Lord was really working and doing great things for me and my family.
When I received the news that I got accepted into the Real LIFE scholarship program, I felt like nothing could stop me from finishing my education. As a scholar, I was able to focus solely on my studies without worrying about my allowance and funds for other school related expenses. Before, my father and mother had to borrow money from everyone they could borrow from.
In 2014, I earned my degree in elementary education. Real LIFE covered my review and fees for my licensure exam afterwards. I got my teacher’s license and got hired at a private school the following year. After my contract with that school, I applied to teach at a public school where at least two to three years of teaching experience at a private school is required. But by God’s grace and favor, I got hired despite having only a year of experience.
I have been teaching at that public school for four years now. My family and I are now able to celebrate special occasions at a restaurant, pay our rent on time, and buy all the food we need and more. When we’re at the grocery, I tell my mother to just get whatever she wanted and I’ll take care of it. I also get to travel now. My mother no longer needs to borrow money from anyone. Everything we get to enjoy today used to only be a dream.
Joseph and family
Joseph during one of his travels
I have forgiven our relatives who used to look down on me and I share the hope I found in God with my cousins who are still studying. Above all, I am most grateful to God that my whole family now has a relationship with Him.
I consider nothing as my work. Every blessing comes from God.
From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank those who pray for more lives to be changed and to everyone who believes and invests in Real LIFE.
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