Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) often face numerous hardships and sacrifices to secure a better future for their families. One of the primary reasons they choose to work abroad is to provide their children with a quality education. For many OFWs, ensuring their children’s academic success is a top priority, despite the challenges they encounter while working far from home.
For Rema Cusipag Macababbad, a key account specialist who has spent eight years in the UAE, these sacrifices have paid off thanks to the support of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Rema’s daughter, Jannah Mae C. Macababbad, was granted an OWWA scholarship that enabled her to complete her college education. Now 22 years old, Jannah Mae graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Management Accounting from the University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao (USLT).
Rema fondly describes her daughter as a responsible and understanding individual.
“Masasabi kong maswerte ako sa anak ko dahil napakaresponsable niya at marunong umintindi sa sitwasyon namin sa buhay. She’s smart and intelligent, napaka consistent ng mga grades niya, nakakapanghinayang na di makatapos kaya ginawa ko lahat ng makakaya ko upang mairaos ang kanyang pag-aaral,” Rema shared with The Global Filipino Magazine.
Jannah Mae received the OWWA scholarship (Education for Development Scholarship Program, EDSP) during her second year of college, which significantly eased the financial burden on their family.
“Siya ay nagapply ng OWWA Scholarship noong 1st year college niya. Kaya na receive niya yung OWWA scholarship (EDSP) mag sesecond year college na siya,” Rema recounted.
For three years, from her second year to her fourth year, Jannah Mae was a scholar of OWWA, which helped her complete her Bachelor of Science in Management Accounting.
“Bale 3 taon din naging scholar ng OWWA ang anak ko mula 2nd year hanggang 4th year. Nagtapos siya sa kursong Bachelor of Science in Management Accounting sa isang pribadong paaralan,” Rema explained.
Now a graduate, Jannah Mae is employed at a private firm as a digital marketing professional.
“Kasalukuyan siyang nagtatrabaho sa isang Private Firm as Digital Marketing,” Rema proudly mentioned.
The OWWA scholarship provided significant financial relief for Rema and her family.
“Yung educational assistance na nakukuha niya sa OWWA ay malaking tulong lalo na pagdating sa pinansyal. Instead na yung ipapadala ko para sa tuition niya, ito ay napupunta na sa pandagdag gastusin sa bahay kaya napakalaking tulong ang OWWA scholarship sa amin lalo na solo parent ako,” Rema expressed.
Rema’s message to OWWA is one of deep gratitude.
“Maraming salamat OWWA sa programa at pag bibigay ng oportunidad sa aming mga OFW na matulungan kami sa pagpapaaral sa aming mga anak,” she said.
To other parents considering the OWWA scholarship for their children, Rema offers this advice: “Kapag po alam nyo na may kakayahan ang anak ninyo, tulungan natin sila as magulang na ma-achieve nila ang mga pangarap nila. Sa pag-apply ng OWWA scholarship, alamin po ng maiigi kung ano mga requirements sa pag-aapply ng scholarship at i-accomplish. Sabayan po ng dasal at tiwala sa panginoon.”
If you wish to enroll your child in the same scholarship program, click this link.