PLMSFI’s scholarship- “Give ‘til it hurts”
Toronto-Canada
October 6, 2021
Giving to charity is not easy, especially if you’re retired from secular work.
But there are times when you cannot help it, and someone up there tells you," don't withhold your help, if it's within your power to do it."
Let me tell you my story, and this story is not for trumpeting anything I've done; I'm always mindful of the Bible's warning, “But you, when making gifts of mercy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your gifts of mercy may be in secret. Then your Father who looks on in secret will repay you. ( Mat. 6:3-4).
My main point is every cent counts a lot in helping the talented but poor students of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. These poor students are knocking on our hearts -- all the alumni worldwide-- to give them all our wholehearted support.
At present, the PLM Scholarship Foundation Inc. (PLMSFI) is extending financial assistance to these students by giving them a monthly P1,500 for their transport and allowance.
Where does the PLMSFI get its money? It relies mainly on the donations given by alumni worldwide and grants from the private sector.
Since I'm retired now, my pension is enough for me to live comfortably.
However, one morning, I heard a story of Mica, a young, bright woman, a second-year IT student, who failed to get some support from the PLMSFI.
The PLMSFI has decided that only 100 students, mostly coming from the 3rd and 4th years, will get financial help for this school year with the available funds. There are a handful of sophomore students in this group.
Although Mica has impressive grades and passed the screening process, the PLMSFI has assured her that the program could accommodate her next year.
A good friend, Becca Canberra, one of the PLMSFI trustees who interviewed Mica, was so frustrated with what happened, and out of the blue, Becca told me about Mica's story while chatting with her.
Mica’s problem now is where to get help in the next ten months--the equivalent of one school year.
The PLMSFI gives students P1,500 monthly support; Mica needs P15,000 to cover the 2021-2022 school-year period.
On hearing Mica’s story, I told Becca I'm willing to give a little support to Mica, And I will talk and ask for the help of my sister Annie and Annemelissa Icban.
Icban, a PLM alumna, had been supported by my sister in New York under the auspices of the Canada Alumni Association. She's now working in a hospital In New York.
Initially, they said they could not do it because they had already committed to help a young student in the province take up nursing.
A day after, Ann changed her mind, telling my sister, " I will just forgo my morning donut and coffee, so I can raise the money for Mica."
Although this kind of arrangement is outside the PLMSFI's mandate, both the donor and the scholar-recipient are still happy about the turnout of the events.
Here's Mica's letter to me:
Dear Mr. Willie Jose,
I'd want to offer my heartfelt gratitude for supporting my education throughout the 2021-2022 academic year. I'm not sure how I would manage to balance my studies without your great assistance. Your help means a lot to me, knowing that I got rejected in PLMSFI before the good news came. With your utmost support, I was able to have these things and use all of them in my online class and now I must say that I am already well-prepared for this kind of education we are having right now. My parents are also delighted, sir, not just because of your support, but having a kind heart and soul. I will always value the help you've given in me, sir.
Thank you very much. Take care always, and God bless!
Sincerely yours,
Mica M. Fernando(sgd)
2nd-year BSIT Student
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You can send your donation to the PLMSFI’s Treasurer, Ms. Wilhelmina Cuico:
Wilhelmina G. Cuico
Address: Block 8 Lot 37 Capitoline Hills St. BF Resort
Village 1740 Las Pinas City, Metro Manila,Philippines
Phone No. 632-887-30457
Mobile: 0917 809 0003