I’m Ara Mina D. Severo, 20 years old, graduated from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila with a degree of BS Social Work. I became a dean’s lister since my 3rd year in college up to my last semester. I took the Social Work Licensure Exam last July 25-26, 2018 and passed with a high mark.
About my family
My father who is 52 years old was an OFW, but he did not get any job since he came home for good, 9 years ago. He needed to stop from working so that he can take care of my ageing grandmother. While my mother, 56 years old is a fulltime housewife. She decided to stop working since I started studying so she can guide me in my school works because I was not a fast learner compared to my other siblings who were achievers in school. I have 2 siblings; our eldest and only brother is currently not working while my sister is working as a nurse in Kuwait for more than a year now.
I applied for ANCOP Scholarship Program when I entered college but the scholarship was not approved until the 2nd semester of my freshman year. I was an ANCOP scholar for 3 years and 6 months.
ANCOP Educational Sponsorship Program (ESP) helped me and my family through financial assistance for my school needs. My sister, who is the breadwinner of the family, did not have enough means to provide for my daily allowance when I started college since she was just a newly hired encoder in Makati then.
My family was my inspiration to strive hard during my college years. Being an ANCOP scholar also motivated me strive to harder in school because I have to keep my scholarship. I know that if I fail in any of my subjects, I would lose my scholarship and will not be able to finish my studies. It is such a shame to put all the hard work of my sponsor to waste.
I dedicate my achievement, first and foremost to God because He really makes things possible and He trusts me even though I don’t trust myself. Second, my family who really trust and support me wholeheartedly. And lastly, to all the people behind ANCOP, especially my sponsor who did not grow tired of helping me financially.
To my fellow ANCOP scholar
Even though you don’t know what you are going to do in the future or you have doubts in your decisions right now, just keep going and ask the Lord’s guidance. God will make the impossible, possible. All the things you’ve been worrying about, you will soon overcome it. Just believe in yourself.
The opportunity that ANCOP has given to us is a blessing from our Lord. We should give importance to that blessing by striving harder in our studies, bearing in mind that being able to study is the fruit of the labour of our sponsors. You don’t need to be the best in your class, you just need to do your best. But never sacrifice your physical and mental health. We should be thankful every day that even though we experience challenges in our life, God continuously gives us the strength to surpass it.
Message to my Sponsor
Dear sponsor, thank you for all the help that you’ve done to me and to my family. Now that I have finally got my degree and became a registered social worker, I commit to work hard so that I can help my family financially. I know that the financial assistance that you have given me came from your hard work abroad, I will make sure that all your efforts will not be wasted. My goal is to sponsor an ANCOP scholar soon, just like what you did to me
I pray that you and your family are doing well. I hope that you won’t get tired of helping students like me, who really want to finish their studies so that they can help their families. You’re one of the people who contributed to my success, you helped me to be where I am right now. I’m praying for you and your family’s health and happiness. May our almighty God be with you always.
After my graduation, I decided to work at Couples for Christ ANCOP as a Social Worker. I was not yet a registered Social Worker when they hired me cause I was still in the middle of my review then. By God’s grace, I was able to pass the exam with a high mark. I am now a Registered Social Worker and still currently working at Couple for Christ ANCOP.
My message to my donor country, Canada: I’m thankful to be your beneficiary for more than 3 years. Because of your generosity, I have achieved my dreams and able to continue reaching for my aspirations and goals for my future.
I hope you will continue to sponsor young people like me who are not financially capable to go to school but have a great desire to earn a degree so that we can provide a better future for our families.
Ara Mina Severo
Bachelor of Science in Social Work
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
Registered Social Worker
Graduate SY 2017-2018
ANCOP West A HOLD Adapt Scholar
congratulations to a great achievement to you and your family. God bless you in all your sacrifices and efforts. We are all happy for your success. love from your sponsors and take care.