Life Style Owwa: Aiding My Education
Owwa: Aiding My Education
Thursday, 19 January 2012 00:00
MY parents had been so anxious months before my high School graduation. They did not know where to send me for college, or better yet, even if they could send me to college with scanty financial resources they had. I remember my mother telling me that if I don't get to college as a regular student, I could either choose to be a market vendor or work my way through college. I thought the latter would be far better and that the former was not even an option!
Despite the challenges, they still hoped the best for me. They wanted me to study hard and hit the mark but they also knew that simultaneously doing both studying and working would really take its toll on my focus. So they started to search exhaustively for scholarship grants that could somehow help me through college. They pursued the search and finally came to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) where they learned about the Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP) grant. Everything was so timely! My father had just finished his two-year contract and had just arrived back from Saudi Arabia! I was qualified!
I took and passed the written exam and by God's grace, also passed the interview. Finally, I became an official CMWSP grantee in Region 10. I enjoyed the four-year scholarship period. And yes, my parents' desire that I focus on my studies was fulfilled. I never had to worry my tuition and allowances for food, clothing and books. All I had to do was study, eat and sleep. I didn't want to lose this great opportunity so I tried my best until the end. By God's providence, I was able to finish my BS in Biology with honors.
I wanted to thank God for the many blessings that have been coming my way so I dedicated a year of my life to serve Him as a missionary to Korea. Things turned out differently than I have planned and again, God worked in mysterious ways. The original plan of one year was extended to three years plus an opportunity of upgrading my Education. By God's grace, I am soon to receive my Master of Science degree in Life Science from Sahmyook University, Seoul, South Korea.
Countless blessings are coming like ripples in the water. Just recently, I got my admission certificate from Seoul National University for PhD program major in Biotechnology and Genomics. That means a couple of weeks after my graduation from MS program in February 2012, I need to start the PhD program. To top all these, my parents don't need to spend a single penny for this for all is given through a scholarship grant! Praise the Lord!
As of now, all I can do is to thank the Lord for all the blessings that have come and still coming my way and for using different people and institutions like Owwa to pave my way to where I am now. Nevertheless, this does not end here. I am still about to embark another grueling year of studies. However, God will always be there to guide me as long as I continue claiming His promises. It is my fervent prayer that I will never forget how God has been gracious and faithful all these years. I have received great opportunities from the government. I may not be able to pay back directly but it is my desire to come back to the Philippines with all the Education and experience I will have had garnered by then and pay forward to the Filipinos!
By NOMAR WAMINAL Contributor
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