“I am even thankful for the negative things that have made me stronger and better person”. There’s a person who lives with this quote and she is Meldred, a 14-year girl who is currently residing in a slum area in Barangay Tejero, Cebu City and currently a Grade 9 student of Abellana National School. She is living a simple life, in a simple house, with her simple family. She has a sister and both of her parents are sidewalk vendors but life gets rough sometimes since their income from being a vendor is not stable. There are times when it is not enough to provide their needs especially in school.
Luckily, there was a Street Education program implemented by Rose CGI’s partner, the Children of Cebu Foundation in the port areas. Meldred was able to attend on the said program and it gave her a lot of hope to continue her studies as she is one of those children whose assistance to formal education was sustained by Rose CGI. She said that it was really a big help for them because it lessens her parent’s expenses as well. They don’t have to worry about the yearly school supplies, uniform and payment for school fees. She is beyond grateful for the big opportunity that this program has given her. Education is not a luxury but a basic need in contemporary life, a human right and not a grant.
In the future Meldred wants to be a Chef, build her own restaurant, travel the world together with her family, also to cook the best recipe to her parents who supported her along the way despite the hardships in their lives. With Rose CGI, she will always be motivated and inspired for she knows that nothing is impossible because the word itself says – I’m Possible!
