Hello! I’m Sittie Aiza A. Aratuc. I’m 18 years old turning 19 this October 29, 2011. I’ll be in my second year in college when the school opens this June 2011. I’m studying at Ateneo de Davao University taking up Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. It is the best school of Accountancy in Davao City. My parents live very far away from where I attend University so I dont see them and they live apart because jobs take them to different places. My dad is a Civilian volunteer. My mom is a rural midwife.  But then she only gets half of her salary because she needs to pay to a friend who lends her money when I was in the hospital. Their salary is not enough for our one month consumption. My younger brother goes to school in a different city from me. He’s in Cotabato City, 4-hour drive from my city and 2-hour drive from our parents’ provence. If you will sum up every expenses my mom need to pay for the whole month, it’s a lot. Then my school fees which is P60000 ($1400) for the whole school year. There were times that I saw my mom lying on the bed and she seems too busy thinking about something then when I ask her what’s on her mind, she will say “ I’m thinking about how can i survive for the next months”. She’s worried that she will die suddenly and i’m still in my first year in College. I feel so bad for that. I feel like i’m the biggest burden my mom had. I really want to find a way to help her.
Last year, I suffered from a severe skin allergy. I was in the hospital for two weeks. There were moments back then which made me think I won’t survive. Our relatives help my mom pay the hospital bills but it was not enough. She borrowed money from a friend. There were nights that i really cried because of thinking about my mom. I know she has a problem with her health. My dad can’t find a high paying job because he wasn’t able to attend high school and college but i am still proud of him. Some people only think about themselves, on how they can get richer and richer. It hurts me so much when they belittle my mom. I took it as a challenge. I will show them that we don’t deserve to be looked down. I really want to finish college so that i can get a job and show them that i can succeed in life. It will be a great help for my mom if I found someone willing to help me.