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Success Stories

Dare to Succeed – by DanDan Lemay

I was once a young boy who got lost on my way back home. I could not even remember my own identity and the whereabouts of my family due to my young age and speech problem. I was so scared and alone with nowhere to go. Virlanie Foundation Inc. rescued me from the harsh environment of Reception and Action Center Manila and from that day on my life changed.

I was given a new light and started to pick up the broken pieces of my life. It was not easy after all due to my speech and hearing difficulty. People could hardly understand and misinterpreted me at times. Other children of my age made fun of me, and worse, rejected me. Sometimes, I withdrew into my shell and cried out loud. I wanted to give up and lose hope. There are times; I would become profoundly sad, empty and lonely, because after 15 years I could not find my biological family.

In spite of these realities, I chose to win over adversity and move on with my life. I did not stop learning and finished my two-year course:  Associate in Computer Technology at Adamson University, Manila. I was able to graduate last April 6, 2009 with so much happiness. When I looked back, I remembered all the hardships in doing assignments, projects and other academic requirements. During laboratory class, I started to tremble because programming is a very difficult subject for me; others were quite hard too. During exams, I reviewed until early morning like 2:50 a.m. I gave up most of the parties and outdoor activities that are usually being held in the Foundation. How I’ve missed all these fun stuff that I experienced during my early childhood days in Virlanie.

Nevertheless, I understood that what is essential right now is my future, which lays in having right perspective, focus and discipline. I could have chosen to dwell on my ill fated past, but through those persons who helped me through it all, I am now a better person.

They are the ones who genuinely care, accept and love me for who and what I am. They are like strong walls for me which I can depend on and inspired me to achieve greater heights. Thus, I am deeply thankful to God for they came into my life.

I am planning to get a good job and pursue a four-year degree course in Information Technology. The path for achieving my dreams and goals in life is difficult, but I know I’m on the right track.

For others, don’t judge other persons by their physical and intellectual limitations just like me who believes that success comes from within. It is not who you are that matters but it is what you are capable of becoming.