In elementary, she survived it with P50 allowance a month. In high school, she did it for P100 a week. How she made ends meet is usually a surprise to her teachers and classmates, but Sheryl Saguit, 16, felt every bit of struggle without complain.

Sheryl, a resident of Brgy. Dalig in Teresa, Rizal Province, has been exposed to poverty since her father died. She was only two. From Albay Province, her mother and 10 children moved to Rizal to start anew. However, life only became harder for them.

Her mother worked as a house helper who only goes home once a month. Sheryl was left with her elder siblings, who already stopped their schooling and started working as construction workers to help their mother.

“Kung kailangang hindi kumain, hindi talaga kakain basta lang makapasok ako,” shared Sheryl.

Her family’s situation did not hinder Sheryl’s dream of being a teacher. She is always on top of her class and in fact, last March, she graduated valedictorian among 186 graduates of Pantay National High School.

For Sheryl, their living condition inspires her to work even harder every day.

Getting more inspiration

In 2013, when she’s in third year high school, Sheryl’s family became a beneficiary of the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Though this seems a little too late for her, Sheryl is still thankful, especially on how the program helped her in her education.

“Dahil sa Pantawid, hindi ko na iaasa sa mga kuya ko na may sari-sarili na ring pamilya ang pag-aaral ko. Mayroon na akong laging pambili ng mga projects at mga gamit sa school,” she shared.

As the sole child-beneficiary of the program in the family, Sheryl’s graduation from high school also means their family’s graduation from the program. Despite this, Sheryl is grateful that the program gave her better opportunities to dream.

“Ako ang isa sa mga bunga ng pagkakawang-gawa ng gobyerno. Hindi ko ito sasayangin. Magsusumikap ako para makatapos sa kolehiyo at makatulong sa pamilya ko at maging isang produktibong mamamayan pagdating ng panahon para umunlad pa ang ating bansa,” Sheryl shared.

Plans for the future

Despite their financial struggles, Sheryl is a hundred percent certain she’ll go to college and become a teacher. She’ll enroll in the University of Rizal System in Tanay, Rizal Province.

She still does not know how they’ll survive financially, but this won’t be a hindrance to her dreams.

“Hindi hadlang ang kahirapan para magtagumpay. Education can be a weapon to overcome poverty and change the world,” she shared with conviction.

No matter how little her allowance will be, for Sheryl, there’s always a way to make ends meet. A few more years of struggles and she’ll finally experience a better life—this would be worth all the sacrifices.***