September 27, 2024
Tzu Chi Zamboanga hosts awarding, orientation for 20 new scholars
By Joy Rojas
Tzu Chi Zamboanga volunteers welcomed 20 new scholars under the foundation’s educational assistance program in an awarding ceremony and general orientation held on September 22 at Garden Orchid Hotel.
Entering academic year 2024-2025 are five second year college scholars taking up shielded metal arc welding, 15 second year college scholars enrolled in Bachelor of Science in Social Work, and two third year college scholars studying medicine. This third batch brings Tzu Chi Zamboanga’s total scholar count to 55.
“What makes this batch significant is that 15 are in college at the Western Mindanao State University,” says Tzu Chi Zamboanga OIC and Deputy CEO Dr. Anton Mari Lim. “My advice is for them to cherish this affinity. This is not available to everyone. They were specially chosen and are the product of the hard work of the volunteers who looked for them and conducted home visits until they made their final selection.
“We also hope they attend all Humanity classes because this is what sets this scholarship apart from the other scholarships available. We don’t only offer education to scholars, we also want to guide them on how to become a better person.”
In addition to receiving their Tzu Chi IDs, scholars accepted tokens that would be helpful in their studies. Those enrolled in the welding course each received a welder’s face shield and rod, backpack, and heavy duty gloves and apron, while those in the social work course each received a backpack and the book “Social Welfare and Social Work” by Thelma Lee Mendoza, an important reference material. Five scholars with no access to electrical power in their home each received two sets of solar light panels. And all received Tzu Chi’s coin can to fill with loose change that will someday improve the lives of a victim of disaster, medical beneficiary, or scholar like them.
For John Rey Francisco, 2020 wasn’t just the year of the pandemic. It was also the time his father abandoned the family, leaving the responsibility of raising him and his siblings to his mother, a vendor. Watching her struggle with the lack of resources daily, Francisco decided to lift some of the burden by looking for a scholarship.
“Happy and relieved” was his reaction to the news that he was granted a Tzu Chi scholarship. “I can pursue my dream of finishing college, helping my mother, and reciprocating the help that was given to me during difficult times,” says Francisco.
When you’re one of seven in a family headed by a tricycle driver, money is never enough. Even with her daily allowance, Alexa Labrador has to walk to and from school; she also skips meals simply because she cannot afford them. “In terms of finances, most of the time, I borrow from friends,” she says. “Or my father will take out a loan from his boss for my school projects and books.” Living with relatives, she did household chores in exchange for board and lodging.
Of her application for a Tzu Chi scholarship, she believed it could have gone either way. “I know we are all qualified and that we’re all financially challenged,” she says. “I’m sure there is someone more hard up than me. Maybe they are more deserving.”
But Tzu Chi volunteers thought otherwise. “Thank you to the donors and to Master Cheng Yen. Without her, there would be no Tzu Chi Foundation and I wouldn’t be sitting here today. I feel so blessed, especially when my name was called as one of the recipients of the solar panels. Continue helping people in need, so the people you helped will be able to help others.
That is the ultimate goal. In his opening remarks, Tzu Chi Zamboanga Vice OIC Harvey Yap reminded guests that “By investing in our students we are not only helping them, we are creating agents of change who understand the depths of struggle in the power of resilience. Those who have walked through adversity are uniquely equipped to lift others out of it.”
“To our students: Remember the kindness that has been extended to you. This is not a debt to repay but a legacy to continue,” he says. “The support you receive is a testament to the goodness of his world. One day it will be your turn to pass on the goodness to uplift others and create ripples of change in our society.”
Tzu Chi Zamboanga’s third batch of scholars includes 15 second year college students taking their BS in Social Work at Western Mindanao State University.
Five second year college scholars taking up shielded metal arc welding were each given a school bag, Tzu Chi coin bank, welding face shield and rod, heavy duty apron and gloves, and a Tzu Chi coin can.
School bags, a Tzu Chi coin bank, and that all-important resource book “Social Welfare and Social Work” by Thelma Lee Mendoza were given to the scholars taking their BS in Social Work at Western Mindanao State University.
Tzu Chi Zamboanga OIC and Deputy CEO Dr. Anton Mari Lim (Left) pins a Tzu Chi ID on John Rey Francisco.
Alexa Labrador (right) receives a backpack and a copy of “Social Welfare and Social Work” by Thelma Lee Mendoza from Tzu Chi Zamboanga OIC and Deputy CEO Dr. Anton Mari Lim.
Third year college scholars taking medicine were also recognized in the awarding ceremony.
Rosevic Cabaral gives an inspirational talk on her journey to being a Tzu Chi scholar. “This scholarship has given me the strength to move forward, the opportunity to reach for my dreams, to make a positive impact in the world, and embody the spirit of compassion that defines the Tzu Chi mission.”
Tzu Chi Zamboanga Vice OIC Harvey Yap (left) surprises scholar Rosevic Cabaral with a cake for her birthday.
Solar panels were given to five scholars who live without electrical power in their home.
Tzu Chi Zamboanga OIC and Deputy CEO Dr. Anton Mari Lim (right) instructs scholars and their parents on how to use the solar panels.
Tzu Chi scholars perform the 2024 Scholars’ Camp song, “Sail Your Story.”
Tzu Chi Zamboanga’s third batch of scholars pose with Tzu Chi volunteers and representatives from Western Mindanao State University and Colegio de la Ciudad de Zamboanga.
Tzu Chi scholars perform the song and sign of “One Family.”