Submitted by Sr Paola fcJ, from the Manila community
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic when the new school year begins in September, College courses in the Philippines will be online. This is not easy for students who do not have a computer.
The FCJ Learning and Development Center and the FCJ Manila community decided to offer the College scholars the option of using the best part of their annual allowance to buy a laptop. Several of them decided to avail of the offer. We placed a bulk order and were able to get a very good price for 24 laptops, 19 for the FCJ Center scholars, and 5 for the FCJ community scholars. These students were delighted with their brand new Lenovo laptops.
For many years the College scholars of the FCJ Center in Manila have been supported by the wonderful team of dedicated women in Australia led by Julie, an FCJ Companion in Mission. They raise funds in a variety of ways but their legendary Christmas cakes take the prize! Thanks to their tireless efforts, and the generosity of those who buy the delicious cakes, so far 92 young people have been able to avail of a four-year College education. 65 of the 92 have already graduated and are now working and able to support themselves and their families, 27 are still studying.
The opportunity for these young people to graduate from College is truly life-changing. The whole family benefits as they can then support the education of their younger siblings. Here are some of the graduates with Julie when she visited the FCJ Center in 2015. Maraming Salamat Po! Thank you so much!
The College Scholars, past and present, want to express their gratitude to all the people whose generosity has enabled them to go to College and to build a better future for themselves and their families.
Follow the FCJ Learning and Development Center on facebook. Read more about the activities of the scholars supported by the FCJ Centre and Sisters in Manila.
