Poverty is a problem of everybody. Everybody in a sense that no matter the age, gender and social status are, poverty is connected to us. The rich ones are affected for the fact that they are irritated by the poor ones and sometimes victims of crimes due to poverty, isn’t it true?
Almost all of the Filipinos are considered poor. And it is so hard to accept the fact that the innocent children are the one who are affected too much. At their very young age, they are taught how to earn for a living, just for their own selves and for their family as well. They are already prone to accidents or diseases which can kill them and their future. For them, poverty means no playing, no playing means childhood, no childhood means no right to education, no education means no progression and last no progress means poverty again, back to start.
For you students, poverty is a serious problem to deal with. If you are poor, your future is not secured. You have to pay first to have a security of your future, which is not present to the poor ones. Your education seems to be endangered when you are poor. There are instances that you have to be absent because your money is not enough. And of course, your grade will be affected. When a student is poor, his seems to be miserable. He cannot pay the obliged school fees for his money is only enough for personal necessities, but sometimes, it is not even enough. He cannot avail the required projects. Even a single peso is very important. Every single peso is his future. That is what a typical poor student is experiencing.
Financial problem is the hardest thing faced by the poor people. Without money there is no future. But, there is always a hope. Poverty is not a hindrance to ones’ success. If you will work very hard, nothing is impossible. Determination-that is the word, one word that could change ones’ life, one word that can defeat poverty. If everybody is determined and working hard, no one is poor, no one is begging for help.
As what was mentioned, poverty is the greatest obstacle of ones’ education. But, let us just treat poverty as a challenge. When you are poor, that does not mean that you don’t have the right to dream big. When you are poor, that does not mean that you will never succeed. When you are poor, and you don’t have anything to pay for your education, make an action. Prove to them that they are wrong. You can escape from poverty because you are striving hard. You can beat the odds because you have enough determination.
There are many people who proved that there is nothing impossible even when you are poor. There are many people who were once poor, and now they are one of the elite people. They now own those tall skyscrapers out there from rags to riches. Yes, they didn’t have enough money when they were still poor, but they had the character which is the best armor in a battle. That is why they are now enjoying life by making their past mistakes and struggles as their life coach, their inspiration and source of motivation.
Poverty is a big problem of the society. But, even how big the effect it is making to us is, let us not focus too much on that problem. Yes, poverty acts as an obstacle to our education, but it will not last forever. Let us just make an action to beat it. Find a solution. Don’t rely too much on others. Work hard. It is important to develop ourselves holistically. Study well and focus on your spiritual life-there must be a balance of everything. Love what you do, motivate yourself to keep working hard. Then it’s up to us to make our own choices and live by these choices. After all, our future is still in our hands. Don’t take problems very seriously. Follow what was written and you will see. Time will come and you cannot even notice that you had already escaped from poverty.
Furthermore, as a student and one of the mostly affected by poverty, I can say that “No Guts, No Glory”. In dealing with poverty, you have to take risks. If you have the guts, you can do what you want to. You can really gain glory if you will take risks. Swim against the current, beat the odds. If you will not move, nothing will happen. Yes, you must focus on it too much, but you must take an action. Don’t be too lazy. See what is happening to people who are not working for their selves. Of course, they are just relying on others. They are looking pathetic and judged by others as losers.
If you want to have progress, strive for more. Start making a progression on your own self. Don’t just settle for good but go for the better and if possible for the best. But despite of striving for more, be contented. Never ask for something which you don’t have if you are already hurting others’ feelings. Always remember that if you have the freedom, there are also limitations. Never invade others rights. You must always mind not only your own feelings but you must also consider others, put your feet into others’ shoes.
Your education is the most important thing to be successful. It is the key to ones’ achievement in their dreams. It will be the nicest gift for your own, especially when you worked hard for it. So, never let anyone, or anything stop you in achieving such things. Grab each opportunity that comes your way, if you think it would help you. This is the only thing that would change your life.
Nothing is impossible in this vast world. Even if there are problems that would come your way, you can still beat them and be successful. Always remember that poverty will never become a hindrance to success, if you want it. Be determined and work hard. Take risks. Be spiritually complete. Balance everything. We can change not only ourselves, but also the whole world if we can beat poverty. Dream big and believe in your own self and it’s up to us on how to develop it. After all, success will come on your way.
By: Marc Ernest A. Javier
