Kwentong Kapuso: Mary Grace’s struggle: Living in a shanty while living out her dream

I’d like to share with our readers the struggle of Mary Grace, a 17-year-old Filipina who is the eldest of six children from a poor family that lives in a shanty under a bridge in Binondo, Manila.

Mary Grace has been a college scholar of ANCOP (Answering the Cry of the Poor) since 2010.

She is a senior student in accountancy at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.

She is in the Dean’s List.

Mary Grace is one of the more than 5,000 poor Filipino children who attend elementary, high school and college levels for free in various provinces and cities around the Philippines.

Thanks to the generous ANCOP sponsors.

(Around 820 of the 5,000 are sponsored by both Filipinos and non-Filipinos who live in the United States.)

Let me continue.

In a video I just received, Mary Grace said she never thought she could pursue college education until she heard about ANCOP’s Child Sponsorship Program (CSP).

Her father’s salary wasn’t enough to send her to college after she finished high school.

At one point during the interview, Mary Grace declared she did not consider poverty as hindrance to improve herself and her family’s lot.

“Instead, I regard poverty as an inspiration so I may be able to move out my family from this place,” she said with boldness.

(This positive attitude is learned by ANCOP scholars from value formation seminars, attendance to which is part of their scholarship contract.)

As a senior student, Mary Grace intends to take the CPA Board Exams next year.

After becoming an accountant, she said she wanted to study law.

“I want to be a lawyer, too, so I could regain the respect for my family,” she said.
 
Holding back tears while speaking, Mary Grace concluded the interview by thanking her sponsors from ANCOP and reiterating that as the eldest child, she felt it her responsibility to also send her younger siblings to school in the future.

We wish Mary Grace all the best and may God bless her and all those who are struggling like her.

For the third consecutive year, ANCOP Foundation USA, Inc., a non-profit Christian-based organization that helps the poor, will hold a 5-km walk in order to raise funds for two of its programs:

Education (scholars) and Shelter (provides housing to the very poor by building communities).

ANCOP is acronym for Answering the Cry of the Poor.

ANCOP USA is part of a global movement with the same name.

It is based in Manila were it was founded by Couples for Christ.

This August project is called ANCOP GLOBAL WALK.

In the United States, ANCOP Walk will be held in 33 cities in 15 states around the country beginning Aug. 24.

Please visit www.ancopwalk.us for details and instructions on how to participate or donate.

In New Jersey, ANCOP Walk is scheduled on Aug. 31 at Liberty State Park in Jersey City starting at 9 a.m.

In New York City, the Walk will be held on Sept. 1 at Roosevelt Island’s Lighthouse Park beginning at 7:30 a.m.

In the Philippines, Walk will be held in 62 provinces on Aug. 25.

Last year, it was reported that in Manila alone, some 80,000 members of CFC, as well as non-members participated.

The year before, 60,000 walkers were reported.

It is nice to note that well-known and respected people from the Philippine entertainment industry, like Richard Gomez and Rep. Lucy Torres; Ryan Agoncillo and Judy Ann Santos; former beauty queen Bianca Manalo, actress Melissa Ricks and actor Gabby Concepcion are ardent supporters of ANCOP Walk.

They are campaigning for people to join ANCOP Walk.

There will also be Walk in various countries where Filipinos live and work.

ANCOP Walk will be held in Asia, North America, Caribbean, Europe and Australia on Aug. 25.

I will walk in New Jersey.

I’m inviting my friends to join and donate by registering at www.ancopwalk.us

mcaball241@aol.com - Filipino Reporter