Soroptimist International of the Americas
Philippines Region (A Foundation),Inc.
This award seek applicants who have overcome obstacles and are trying to get their lives back on track, build a better life for themselves and their families and lift themselves and their families out of poverty through education and skills training. They have overcome violence, addiction, health issues, the death of a spouse or parent, or mental health. And, they are women with dependents.
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Around the world, households headed by women have the highest poverty rates. Helping these women improve their education offers them the best chance of improving their lives and the lives of their children – ensuring more positive outcomes for generations to come.
Specifically, these women:
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Have had their dreams derailed
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Are getting their lives back on track
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Are the heads of their household
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Care for their dependents
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Want to increase their standard of living
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Lack the financial resources to access quality education
Federation Winner
We were first introduced to this complicated yet compassionate woman in 2022 as one of our Unsung Women Heroes during the pandemic Biennium.
She was Soroptimist International Batangas Premier’s nominee for the recognition. At that time, she was 3rd year irregular college student of the University of Batangas taking up a Bachelor in Elementary Education major in Early Childhood Education. She is also, interestingly, a second generation Badjao (or sea gypsies) who settled in the shores of Batangas City after her parents escaped the poverty and lack of opportunities in Zamboanga. But despite her environment and the stigma of the Badjao lifestyle, she chose to be educated and worked towards the education, the civic value, and the cultural pride of her people as a Day Care Volunteer, LGU translator, and community leader.
Since then, Pawjiya, faced challenge upon challenge in her personal and family life that affected greatly her educational pursuits. SIBP never broke ties with her since her nomination as an Unsung Woman Hero. In keeping with their desire for mentorship and seeing through the success of the women who benefit from the Soroptimist programs, they had kept in touch, inviting Pawjiya to events to expose her to new experiences, collaborating with her in service to her community, enlisting her in short seminars and workshops that will enhance her skill as a teacher, and (Photo #13) featuring her story in their public awareness projects.
The club learned that she had to stop her schooling after a big fire in her barangay razed her home to the ground in the middle of the lockdowns, bereft of a real partner (her husband is riddled with mental health issues), and trying to rebuild a home for her 5 children who were also in school. The LYDA seemed to be the best help that SIBP can offer to her. That winning the Federation Award is a blessing overflowing. Hope springs eternal in an educated woman.
