ONCE, he doubted if he could go to college. Life was tough, he learned that early on. How he then used to envy his peers who seemingly had no problems at all of getting a degree!
Others had the money while he had motivation. In the end, no difficulty could discourage a young heart, he mused. For Nelvin H. Calamba Jr. of Casili, Cosolacion, difficulties are but dares of fate–hurdles that tested his skills and attitude to survive and make his dreams come true.
He is a Workers’ Organization Development Program (WODP) scholar of the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole).
The eldest of three and a son of a factory worker, he always knew he had to keep going strong to the end of his journey. And part of the long, bouncy, yet fulfilling ride was the assistance that he received for three years from Dole.
“I’m always proud of my father. Without him and my mother, I would not be where I am today. But it was common knowledge in the family that sending us to school, much more to a reputable institution, was impossible. My father’s income would go straight to our family’s basic needs,” the 21-yearld-old said.
His father, Nelvin S. Calamba Sr., works as a factory worker at HJR International Corp. in Mandaue City and is also a member of its employees’ union.
He said it was his ticket to avail himself of Dole’s WODP scholarship grant, which is an initiative of Dole that brings its programs and services closer to the workers of unionized companies and their families.
Feeling fortunate
“I felt so fortunate for being considered as a WODP scholar among all other aspirants. The assistance I consistently received for three years was a big help for me to pay for my tuition, needed books and other requirements in school,” he said.
From 2015 to April 2018, Nelvin received from Dole P11,000 every semester for his tuition, P2,500 for his books and P3,000 monthly allowance.
He said he equated the assistance he received with hard work by maintaining good grades in all his subjects. “I was very particular with what was stated in the memorandum of agreement between myself and Dole for the program. It said that once I had failing grades, we would refund all the support given to us, which was very scary,” he recounted.
To make sure he would be able to pay for his tuition, he also tried saving his monthly allowance, saying that he really had to since the tuition at the University of San Carlos (USC), where he finished his five-year course, is quite expensive. He had to sacrifice and work double time, he added, which all paid off in the end when the big day finally came—his graduation day last April 13.
Brimming with pride and joy, Nelvin got his diploma after finishing a degree in Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE).
“I’m so happy. My family is so happy. I did not see myself getting this diploma without WODP. Of course, the love and support that my family selflessly gave me was a big plus. But if not also for this program of the Dole, I would not have known where else to go,” he humbly said.
Dole 7 Director Atty. Alvin Villamor encouraged other aspirants to replicate what Nelvin demonstrated in his studies, saying that the assistance would be given to those who deserve it.
“The scholarship grant of WODP is open to all deserving dependents of the workers’ union members, whereby applicants are thoroughly interviewed, screened, evaluated, and tested to find out whether or not they qualify to avail themselves of the program,” he added.
As of this writing, the DOLE is extending financial assistance under the WODP to eight existing scholars.
“My graduation marked the happiest day of our lives. I feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity to become a WODP scholar. I now have a lot of plans for myself and for the family. Apart from looking for a job, I would also definitely embark on an extensive review to prepare myself for the board exams come November 2018. To the Department of Labor and Employment, daghang salamat,” Nelvin said. (Contributed article)