My name is Bukhari, 16 years old, born on February 27, 2005. I am the sixth child of the seven children born in our family. My father is farmer and my mother is housewife. We are four boys and three girls. I am currently studying at the Sisters of Mary School-Adlas, Silang, Cavite.
My life outside before I entered here in the Sisters of Mary School was very hard, for my family is included in the impoverished unit of the society− in short, we are poor. In cases we don’t have enough food to eat for the day, I was expected to work on the field and when I graduated my elementary education, my family cannot support my schooling. My parents were separated when I was grade 2, and so, my siblings and I went to live and grow up with our mother. Some of my sisters and brothers had drop-out in schooling just to help in the family needs. My oldest brothers picked to work first after graduating in high school just to help my sister, the one next to him. The second rather choosing her studies chose to work first, have some savings to support her own schooling in college.
School days were hard for my sister, and I had to go to school without something to eat for the day. But those days were even harder for my mother who works alongside my brother. Because there were days when my mother got sick that needs hospitalization, but we cannot send her to the hospital for we did not have enough money. And so, every weekend during elementary life, I got to work to earn a living and sometimes I even skip classes just to work on the fields on weekdays. But I did not spare any money for myself for what I gained from working, I used to give all to our mother/‘nanay. Some of my siblings learned to support their selves in their studying and they seldom ask money from our mother. Even my youngest sister at her early age, she also learned how to work to earn money. Every weekend she was accompanying our mother to find job, sometimes manually does the laundry work of people who pitied us.
That’s how I realized how life is so difficult and that nearly stopped me to dream. But that’s the time God intervened through the Sisters of Mary School. My mother told me that I must not give up if things go in hard ways for there are many ways to overcome it. So now I that reached this far, I must continue. I believe that I can make it to the peak of my dream of my childhood-to become an engineer. Truly the Sisters of Mary School provides quality education that helps me more competitive even in life’s challenge. And I will make use of my talents and skill in Electrical, Personal Computer Operation (PCO 1 & 2), Basic Industrial Technology (BIT), Baking and Pastry Production (BPP), Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), Motor Rewinding, Adobe Illustrator, CHS (Computer Hardware Servicing) and Automotive to succeed in life and help my family and those in need like me someday. I believe God is always with me every step of my road to pursuing my bachelor’s degree. I’d like to finish my studies in college. Despite all the challenges in life, we still find ways to overcome it. I learned from my experiences that whatever happens I must continue my path. And there are ways to overcome the hardships in life.
I am thanking for all those people who made the difference in my life. I believe our good Lord continue to bless your life for you became channel of his blessings to bring glad tidings to poor and give them better future. To the Virgin of the Poor, Fr. Al, sisters, teachers, donors, and friends, thank you very much.