Early life
“I am Cheryl, and I am 13 years old. I live in Cebu. My mother’s name is Enocia and I’m not sure who my father is. When I was little, my mother left me and my older sister with my grandmother so she could work and provide food for us. After a year or two, she came back with a new baby, and that is the youngest sister we have. My mother finally stayed with us and took care of us. My mother did farming to provide for us. She would plant corn and gabi, then sell it to the market so we could buy food. I can really say that we are poor; on occasion, we are left without food and will only eat tomatoes. My grandmother occasionally gave me rice to bring to school.”
Because our home is only protected by sacking, one of the challenges our family faces rain or, worse, a storm. We would occasionally flee to a relative’s home. I’m grateful to them.
Attending primary school each day presented a challenge. To get to school, I had to go over three hills. At five in the morning, I would awaken. and begin walking; my arrival time was typically around 7:00 a.m. It was exhausting, especially on wet days. My uniform is ruined and the road is slick.”
Life at school
“I frequently experienced bullying at school from my peers. They would claim that my parents were not caring for me, that I was unimportant to them, and that I am not loved. I sometimes feel envious of them because they always have delicious lunch food, while I sometimes go without food. However, sometimes my uncle would give me ten pesos, and I would spend them at the canteen on five pesos worth of cooked vegetables and five pesos worth of rice. Returning home from school in the afternoon presented another difficulty and when I returned home I would assist my mother with meal preparation.
The Sisters of Mary School was mentioned to me and I chose to come to the school and meet with the Sisters. I was thrilled when the Sisters were able to offer me a place. However, in order to send me to Talisay, Cebu, where the school is located, my mother had to borrow money from family members. I am really appreciative of this chance. After I graduate from this school, I’ll look for a scholarship to help me go to college and eventually become successful, which will benefit my family at last.
Now that I am here at school, I am getting happier day by day. I finally get to have my own shoes and personal things. I get to study and at the same time enjoy and play with my fellow students.”