Like a Vine, it Needs an Arbor to Climb
by: Mariel M. Carbonel, ALS Mobile Teacher
SDO Abra
The capacity to learn is a gift, the ability to learn is a skill, and the willingness to learn is a choice. I was in my deepest despair, when I stopped everything… I thought I could never regain myself anymore. I was 9 years old when my mother was diagnosed with cancer. My sister lived at my grandma’s house. Seeing our mother struggle left us nothing but loss of hope. By that time, I had already decided to stop my study and I never felt happy anymore.
But I think God never let my life stop, until one day I met her. She is an ALS Teacher; I was referred to her by one of her friends. With her effort she personally came to our house and encouraged me to continue my study and with her convincing power I tried to enroll again. She never failed to encourage and teach me, giving me all the knowledge that I need.
With her help I became active and became one of the top students in our school. We started by answering small activities to cope up with the lesson, and from time to time she gave me modules and projects to do. I feel exhausted at first, but there are also times that I want to give up because she never stops giving me tasks. Even if I am busy she adjusted her time to meet my time schedule especially when my Accreditation and Equivalency Examination came, we reviewed all day and even extended her time just to finish our topics and in providing supplemental learning assistance. She even rented my service car to attend my exam. I encouraged my sister as well and together we became an active student of the Alternative Learning System. And with all our efforts I finally graduated in 2015.
With my proudest moment I approached her and said my deepest gratitude. I literally said these words to her. “Finally, ma’am, this is it, makaka-graduate na ako ng high school. Makakapag college na ako. I am so happy.” I saw her crying at that moment, and I knew it was a tear of joy for both of us.
Finally, I said to myself this is it……I continued college and enrolled in one of the private schools in Bangued, Abra, took up Bachelor of Elementary Education. I took up this course because she was my inspiration. I want to be like her and in my new journey she will never stop to guide and help me. She explains everything from my simple activities to projects. There are also times that I go to her house and ask for advice on my problems and she always says “Anak kaya mo yan, huwag kang susuko kunti na lang...” She was just like a mother to me. I was so happy, so happy that even though I was not her student anymore she is always there for me. After four years, I finally graduated from college with a Latin honor-Cum Laude. When she heard about it, she was very happy that the ALS Department of Education, particularly SDO-Abra, has produced a student who graduated Cum Laude. I know that my journey is a story worth telling and worth manifesting.
In my deepest fall in life I met her as my guidance to strive again not just for myself but for my family as well. My mama is so happy seeing his son achieve everything out of nothing. I hope my story will serve as an inspiration to everyone. Be proud of how far you’ve come in your life. Be proud of all things you overcame. Be proud of how strong you are.
This is Mark Francis F. Casipit a Licensed Professional Teacher proud to be one of the graduates of Alternative Learning System!
