Hi, I am Ryan Jay, a former college scholar of Volunteer for the Visayans. I come from a small
village where most families rely on farming to survive. Life for my family was never easy, and
even now I wonder how I managed to get through those years. At night, I would study by the
dim light of a small lamp, what we called lamparilya in Waray-Waray, determined to learn
despite the darkness around me. My father was the only one working, earning just 150 pesos a
day to support all of us. That small amount had to cover my school needs, daily expenses, and
our food, while my mother stayed home to care for me and my siblings.
I had to walk with my friends from Cangumbang, Palo, where I live, to our school, which is about
five kilometers away from our house. I had to wake up really early so I wouldn’t be late. I
remember spending weekends helping my parents harvest rice, and every time I saw my friends
playing, I felt a deep sadness, wishing I could be like them. I often asked myself why our family
had to struggle and why we were poor. I also hid my hands at school because of the dark marks
left by the rice leaves, reminders of the work I had to do.
When VFV came into my life, everything changed. They showed me the importance of
education and gave me the chance to continue studying when it seemed impossible. I became
one of their scholars, and their support came without any conditions or expectations. They
provided everything I needed for school, from school supplies, and tuition to transportation. I
also received meals after school at Nanay Elay’s house, which gave me the strength to focus on
my studies. On top of that, they provided a monthly grocery, which helped my family a lot. Their
support continued all the way through college, and even during my internship in Cebu, they
helped with food, transportation, and boarding rent.
VFV not only supported me financially, they helped me grow as a person. I used to be very shy,
but through their activities, I built confidence, discovered my love for dancing, and learned how
to connect with different people. With their help, I was able to graduate. I was able to find a good
job and lift my family out of poverty. Today, we live in a strong concrete house that protects us
from typhoons and flooding, with electricity and water, and life is very different from before.
Those struggles made me realize that hard work and determination pay off, and challenges are
never forever.
Without VFV, I might still be working in the fields with my parents, and our living situation would
likely remain difficult. We used to live in a bamboo house with a nipa roof, no electricity, and
sometimes we could not even pay for water from the public faucet. VFV gave me the chance to
change that reality, and I will always be grateful.
I cannot thank VFV and their staff enough for never giving up on people like me who dream of a
better life. Even though I am no longer part of the program, I continue to volunteer in my free
time to give back and pay it forward. Their dedication is inspiring, especially during the
pandemic when they continued serving others. They are the true makers of a difference in the
lives of so many.
I want to express my gratitude to my sponsor Ate Sheila for helping me graduate and giving me
a better future, and to Ate Elsa for being a strong support during the years I had nothing. I also
thank the VFV staff, including Ate Wim, Ate Lai, Ate Ester, Mano John, Ate Crisel, Kuya Chris,
Kuya Rico, and Kuya Aleth. They were part of my journey, and their care and support are the
reason VFV continues to make a real impact. Their tireless work and dedication are something I
will never forget.
Life can be really hard, but my experiences have shown me that staying hopeful, working hard,
and having support from people who care can help you achieve your dreams. I want my story to
inspire others to never give up and to keep trying, because even in the TOUGHEST TIMES,
BETTER DAYS WILL COME. In the years to come, I am determined to achieve my dream of
working on a cruise ship so I can truly help my parents. It will be challenging, but I believe with
all my heart that I can make it happen.
❤