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POVERTY IS NOTHING
Poverty - it is everybody's problem. Everybody in a sense that boy or girl, young or old, even rich or poor, that is one of their problems. The rich ones are affected for the fact that they are irritated by the poor ones, isn't it true?
Almost all of the Filipinos are considered poor. And it is so hard to accept the fact that the innocent children are the one who are affected too much. At their very young age, they are taught how to earn for a living, just for their own selves and for their family as well. At their very young age, they are already prone to accidents or diseases which can kill them and their future. No play, no childhood, no education - no progression.
As a student and one of the youths, poverty is a serious problem to deal with. If you are poor, your future is not secured. You have to pay first to have a security of your future, which is not present to the poor ones. Your education seems to be endangered when you are poor. There are instances that you have to be absent because your money is not enough. And of course, your grade will be affected. When a student is poor, his seems to be miserable. He cannot pay the obliged school fees for his money is only enough for personal necessities, but sometimes, it is not even enough. He cannot avail the required projects. Even a single peso is very important. Every single peso is his future. That is what a typical poor student is experiencing.
Financial problem is the hardest thing faced by the poor people. Without money, no future. But, there is always a hope. Poverty is not a hindrance to ones' success. If you will work very hard, nothing is impossible. Determination-that is the word. One word that could change ones' life. One word that can defeat poverty. If everybody is determined and working hard, no one is poor, no one is begging for help.
As what was mentioned, poverty is the greatest obstacle of ones' education. But, let us just treat poverty as a challenge. When you are poor, that does not mean that you don't have the right to dream big. When you are poor, that does not mean that you will never succeed. When you are poor, and you don't have anything to pay for your education, make an action. Prove to them that they are wrong. You can escape from poverty because you are striving hard. You can beat the odds because you have enough determination.
There are many people who proved that there is nothing impossible even when you are poor. There are many people who were once poor, and now they are one of the elite people. They are now owning those tall skyscrapers out there - from rags to riches. Yes, they didn't have enough money when they were still poor, but they had the character which is the best armor in a battle. That is why they are now enjoying life, opposite on what they had experienced in the past.
Poverty is a big problem of the society. But, even how big is the effect it is making to us, let us not focus too much on that problem. Yes, poverty acts as an obstacle to our education, but it will not last forever. Let us just make an action to beat it. Find a solution. Don't rely too much on others. Work hard. It is important to develop ourselves holistically. Study well and focus on your spiritual life-there must be a balance of everything. Love what you do, motivate yourself to keep working hard. Then it's up to us to make our own choices and live by these choices. After all, our future is still in our hands. Don't take problems very seriously. Follow what was written and you will see. Time will come and you cannot even notice that you had already escaped from poverty.
Furthermore, as a student and one of the mostly affected by poverty, I can say that "No Guts, No Glory". In dealing with poverty, you have to take risks. If you have the guts, you can do what you want to. You can really gain glory if you will take risks. Swim against the current - beat the odds. If you will not move, nothing will happen. Yes, you must focus on it too much, but you must take an action. Don't be too lazy. See what is happening to people who are not working for their selves. Of course, they are just relying on others. They are looking pathetic.
If you want to progress, strive for more. Start making a progression on your own self. Don't settle for good, go for the better and if possible, for the best. But despite of striving for more, be contented. Never ask for something which you don't have if you are already hurting others' feelings. Always remember that if you have the freedom, there are also limitations. Never invade others rights. You must always mind not only your own feelings, but also others'.
Your education is the most important thing to be successful. It is the key to ones' achievement in their dreams. It will be the nicest gift for your own, especially when you worked hard for it. So, never let anyone, or anything stop you in achieving such things. Grab each opportunity that comes your way, if you think it would help you. This is the only thing that would change your life.
Nothing is impossible in this vast world. Even if there are problems that would come your way, you can still beat them and be successful. Always remember that poverty will never become a hindrance to success, if you want it. Be determined and work hard. Take risks. Be spiritually complete. Balance everything.
We can change not only ourselves, but also the whole world if we can beat poverty. Dream big and believe in your own self, and it's up to us on how to develop it. After all, success will come on your way.
Award-winning essay by B. R., 3rd year high school Scholar, Cebu
My school is far from our place. It is located at the city of our province almost 100 Kilometers from our hometown. Only few students from our place able to study in college because it is more expensive to live in the City where most of the University and colleges located. Aside from school obligation, we have high cost of living and space for us to live. The prices of groceries are increasing. Some students went home once a month because of expensive bus fare. Because of this given situation I decided to be a working student so that I’ll be getting free of board and lodging that student also spent aside from tuition fees.
Being a working student our common problem is the time. We always run out of time in working and studying. It is hard to keep our journey going just to get especially college education. Everyday, before the sun shines, we’re out from our bed and start working my daily chores. I tried to finish it early so that I will not be late in the school. If we happen not to wake up early, we might miss the class for that day. Even though when we got sick, still we work for our daily house assignment and accomplish them all.
Sometimes, I missed my meals just to be there before the class starts. We are not able to concentrate because of hunger and tired. Sometimes, when our master gets mad to us because of our mistakes, we can’t escape his anger. At the start was a big adjustment in my part to cope up the situation. However, this problem was minimized when I taught myself a time management and discipline. I make a weekly schedule. I finished all the works I supposed to do each day. The heavy works which requires enough time like cleaning the garden was usually scheduled at the weekend.
I am both time pressured at my house work and school. At dawn, I have to study my lesson. It is nice and good to study anyway if you used to it already. No one can disturb me. I can concentrate well and easily understand. When I’m studying, I should not think about my routine work which can normally disturb me. On other hand, I just set aside my lesson when doing other house work and give all attention on it. I spend an hour to fix myself to be completely ready to go to school. In my situation, I learned how to consume and manage time and its importance. I must not waste time. If I waste it, it might be complicated afterwards.
I may consider obstacles to be some of my teachers in my class. There were two teachers that I considered problem in school. They are opposite to each other in attitude and the way they handle discussions. The first teacher is our Physics 1 instructor. A very strict and terror instructor. Although he is good in discussion, we disagree with his attitude. His voice is the rule and must be followed. He always demanded a good performance from us. In examination, we are given a very difficult problem. The topics were not substantially tackled and he will then discuss later after the examination. Almost all failed. In one session, while I’m writing, he looked at my paper. He scolded me about my penmanship and advised me to transfer to other course. It was one of the insults that I experienced being with a teacher like him. It hurts me a lot. After all the discouragement I accept it, I still controlled myself. I considered it as a challenge and inspiration to continue my hard work. I knew it was common to meet a teachers like him. My goal is to deal with him with passion and perseverance. We follow his rules and are humble unto him by serving like a servant. We didn’t react his preachings. We just listen until he stops. We do always our counterpart as a student by doing our project that fits his criteria.
The second teacher was our Physics 2 teacher. By looking at her, she seems okay. She is kind, friendly and approachable. Almost all students in her class were friends. One thing that I complain was that the way she teaches. She lacks of experience enough to share with us. Sometimes, she can’t answer our question. We are confused if she can’t solve a problem. Her subject is one of the foundations for higher subjects. We needed to be knowledgeable on this subject. Our bonding was a way that remedied solves our problem. In our vacant time, some of us together with our teacher stayed in the library and study the topics which we didn’t understand. Sometimes, we just ask the topic and we just do research about it. After all, I realized how important the teachers are though they also limitations that they need our cooperation. Teachers are our second parents and they assumed our parents’ responsibility. Discipline was their purpose to build each of us. They train us to be good and responsible someday.
One of the main obstacles to get education is our payment in our entire school obligation. Sometimes we got shortage to pay especially during examinations not allowing us to take if we have still balance for the period. Sad to note when failed to pay the balance there will be score deduction. So, I just find ways to approach my teacher about it and asking a favor to take the examination. With this, I learned to discussed things with my teacher and I am able to conquer my shyness.
One Sunday morning, while attending a mass, my attention was caught by the homily of a pastor about our journey in life. It also deals about obstacles. The priest said that life is like a dish and obstacles and problems are the spices. It makes our journey more exciting. Every problem we conquer teaches us a lesson and be able us to be ready and aware if we encounter it again. Our life is boring if there’s no problem and conflict that challenges us. Be thankful to have a problem. You may have an unforgettable moment in this world. Don’t be afraid that it may not be solve. Never stop fighting and play the game of life. Always think, “God is with us and always behind us”. We can conquer all the problems and obstacles and get the reward of success and joy.
Award-winning essay by J. D., Bohol college Scholar
