Marching to a better life

MANILA, Philippines – February 22, 2014 was a happy day for thousands of students from the De La Salle University. Clad in striped togas and wearing the symbolic graduation cap on their heads, they marched in the campus auditorium to claim the much-coveted diploma marking their passage into the world of the gainfully employed.

Every student was beaming with joy. All had their share of sleepless nights and challenging exams. But graduates Kristen Joy Atregenio, Dominic Medado III, Mariefe Picid, and Jhoanna Kate Sanchez’ victories were a lot sweeter.

De La Salle University is considered one of the most prestigious schools in the Philippines not only for the quality of its education, but also of the affluence of a good number of its students. The four, who are all AkarakA scholars, come from impoverished backgrounds.

AkarakA is not a mere donor-beneficiary scholarship. It has a roster of mentors dedicated to support the scholars as they carry on with their studies. AkarakA mentor Edgar Ampil says in the Philippines, a fresh graduate’s school matters to a prospective employer, as most multinational corporations tend to hire graduates from the premier state university and top Catholic institutions.

Now, all four AkarakA scholars are part of the workforce, living out a promise that was just once a dream.

You may support a scholar financially or become a mentor. – Rappler.com

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