“Looking back, she never imagined that the little girl from a faraway island village who had to study her lessons alone, in the dark of the night, with a small lampara would be able to go this far”
Devastated – this was what Analiza felt when she knew that her parents couldn’t afford to send her to school. Her dreams of becoming a teacher turned into a bleak vision like a small lampara (lamp) casting a weak light on a pitch-black night.
Determined to do something instead of staying at home, she jumped on a job offered to her. She packed her bags and left her humble island home at Malita, Davao Occidental for the bustling city of Davao.
Analiza, also called An-An, worked in the household of a pastor. She covered all kinds of tasks from cleaning to baby-sitting but was always treated as part of the family. She then transferred to another household where she learned about Global Impact Phils Foundation. Soon she joined the Catalyst Leadership Academy in 2014 where multiple opportunities opened for her.
In Global Impact, An-an found a family where she was loved and celebrated. A new hope grew in her heart as she was so excited and appreciative to be accepted into the educational scholarship program. Her childhood dreams of becoming a teacher were finally coming to life.
An-an is now a few semesters away from graduating with a degree in Elementary Education. She gleefully explained that she loves being with children. It gives her joy being in the classroom. She added “Elementary education is foundation to learning. I want to be part of molding these kids to learn that their progress can be clearly seen.”
She shared that it breaks her heart every time she sees college students who are not good in reading and end up being bullied and laughed upon. An-an claims that elementary education is critical for advanced learning making her more passionate about it.
Aside from focusing on studies, An-an is leading the Freedom Fighter Club in the University of Mindanao. It is Global Impact’s civic student organization that aims to inform university students about the dangers of human trafficking and involve them in the fight against this atrocity. The club has been able to conduct information sessions and community outreaches.
She also actively takes part in the Impact Club program where she teaches public school children on ways how to protect oneself from traffickers and how to value themselves as special creations of God.
With her love for music and an angelic voice, An-an leads worship during Global Impact’s Ignite Service and Catalyst Leadership Academy. She explained that worship is one of her favorite ways to connect to the Source. She shared a line from her favorite song which says “I don’t know what tomorrow holds, still I know I can trust Your faithfulness.” It is a gentle reminder that God is always faithful to her no matter what.
An-an looks forward to a brighter future where she can impact more lives of children and parents using the education and training she is receiving. She added that Global Impact’s educational scholarship allowed her to grow as a woman of God, to develop her skills and to reach her dreams.
Looking back, she never imagined that the little girl from a faraway island village who had to study her lessons alone, in the dark of the night, with a small lampara would be able to go this far. She is so thankful to God, to her family, to Global Impact and the partners who have given to sponsor her education.
An-an will be graduating in 2019. She will be the first in her long line of relatives to earn a professional degree!