When I joined the Support at a Distance Project I was six years old. I only remember that me and my family didn’t have a permanent place where to live. Bukas Palad was my second home: the place where I played, ran, looked at books with pictures, but the best part was waiting for the delicious snack they gave us!
In all these years through the periodical meetings and activities in Bukas Palad, I have received so much moral and spiritual support that made me grow as a person. I received financial help for my studies as well, encouragement not to give up and try to do always better. I also received food packs for my family.
During school years, Bukas Palad organized tutorial lessons to improve our grades. I attended math tutorials and I learned various advanced math techniques that helped me throughout my career as a student. At one point I moved with my family away from the Bukas Palad center and I was no longer able to participate in many activities as before. But I’m grateful to the staff because they didn’t leave me behind and always followed me up.
During summer Bukas Palad organized workshops for students who wanted to learn, share and grow in their talents. During an art workshop, I met another student whom I admired for his remarkable artistic skills in painting, and he taught me techniques for abstract painting and how to have original ideas. I was also part of the filmmaking workshop and I had a unique teamwork experience. I found a group of friends with whom we have a good relationship until now. The best part was the summer culminating activity with the exhibition of all our works of art. But, I was not just a recipient of the activities. I also gave my contributions
by participating in the animators’ core group, where we planned together all activities for Bukas Palad students. Even though I was one of the younger members of the group, they treated me like them.
The human and spiritual formation I received nourished me and enabled me to face difficulties in life. During my last year in college, I received the communication that I failed an exam and for this reason, I could no longer graduate in the ordinary session. I suffered a lot of feeling a sense of failure, and I was ashamed to tell both my parents and the Bukas Palad staff. I didn’t know how to react, I was depressed, and on top of that, we were at the peak months of lockdown due to pandemics. I felt hopeless… but in one of the phone calls with Bukas Palad staff, I found the courage to open up and explain my situation, even to my parents. To my surprise, they did not scold me but they encouraged me to do better and have more self-confidence. And after two months of online summer classes, I passed the exam and I was able to graduate in Civil Engineering!
Over the years I learned to be generous to others in times of need and to treat them as if they were part of my family. I always remember and try to live Bukas Palad’s motto “Freely you have received, freely give”. This is why I decided to be part of a group of volunteers that distributes food to street children every Saturday, and I always try to do something when I see children who have no food because I understand their situation. I learned so many things about life and it is thanks to you that I have become the person I am today. I am proud to be a graduate of the Support at a Distance Project!
