Sundays turn out to be extra significant for these basketball fanatics who give unlikely assists to vocational college students of Don Bosco Makati
Lyka Lagrama describes herself because the “final card of the household.”
When Hurricane Odette hit the Visayas in 2021, the 19-year-old from Southern Leyte recalled the way it “destroyed all the things” in her residence.
“After that, my father determined to work as a building employee simply to assist us survive,” Lyka stated, noting that farming, her household’s fundamental livelihood, grew to become tough.
However Lyka, decided to assist her dad and mom, obtained an unlikely help when she obtained academic help all the best way from Manila.
Along with a number of persevering college students like her from completely different components of the nation, Lyka grew to become a beneficiary of the scholarship program of Sunday Basketball League (SBL).
Based by the Don Bosco Makati Batch 1998 alumni, SBL began as a pleasant basketball league, gathering outdated classmates, father and sons, and new associates.
The lads of SBL — all of various age, measurement, and occupation — could appear to be simply enjoying basketball pick-up video games each Sunday. However the swishing of the online, the dribbling on the hardwood, and all of the on-court motion signify a goal far greater than their weekend passion.
The enjoyable video games turned to severe talks past sports activities, resulting in a partnership with their alma mater’s Technical Vocational Training and Coaching (TVET) Middle. Collectively, they choose the students, assist them acquire high-level automotive, digital and electrical expertise, and construct sustainable careers after graduating from this system.
For Lyka, receiving a scholarship made her hopeful once more.
“Now, I’m right here in Don Bosco attempting to satisfy my desires for my household. I referred to as myself as a final card of the household. At ngayon… itutuloy ko ang pangarap para maiahon ang pamilya sa kahirapan (And now… I’ll pursue my dream to carry my household out of poverty),” she stated.
“This scholarship helps me financially. It reduces my bills in tuition. Due to this, I really feel much less nervous about cash, and my household additionally feels relieved.”
King Jasper dela Cruz of Nueva Ecija, one other SBL beneficiary, additionally shared how the scholarship helped reduce his dad and mom’ worries.
“[Gusto] kong mabago ang buhay ko at ng pamilya ko dahil hirap lang kami sa buhay… at makatulong din sa aking mga magulang dahil nahihirapan na rin sila na pag-aralin kami nang sabay-sabay,” stated King, the sixth amongst 10 youngsters.
“Kaya natuto akong magazine working scholar, kaya laking pasasalamat ko dahil nakuha ako sa scholarship.”
(I need to change my life and that of my household as a result of we’re poor… and I additionally need to assist my dad and mom as a result of they’re additionally having a tough time preserving us all in class on the similar time. I realized to be a working scholar, so I’m very grateful that I received the scholarship.)
Lyka and King could not understand it, however diligent college students like them make Sundays extra significant for the SBL gamers.
“Essentially the most vital victories on this league by no means seem within the standings; they manifest within the lives of the students the league helps,” stated SBL commissioner Brian Cervantes.
Whereas the gamers all share the identical ardour for basketball, their completely different backgrounds assist SBL maintain its scholarship program. Add to that their brotherhood on and off the courtroom — rooted of their shared values and “Bosconian heritage” — makes it simpler for them to work and play collectively.
“The energy of the SBL neighborhood lies in its skilled variety,” stated Cervantes, noting that the neighborhood consists of company executives, legal professionals, docs, engineers, artists, and enterprise homeowners, who all assist in their very own approach.
To assist extra college students, SBL stated it additionally welcomes donations by commissioner Cervantes through the league’s official Fb web page: Sunday Basketball League-SBL.
“It’s a giant assist for me and particularly for my dad and mom,” stated Rayzha Ubana, a scholar from Infanta, Quezon Province. “I’m very grateful for this chance… to satisfy my desires.”
“The scholarship motivates me to do higher,” stated Lyka. “Understanding that I used to be given this chance encourages me to check tougher so I gained’t waste it. Due to this scholarship, I can proceed my schooling and have a greater likelihood of reaching my objectives and getting a superb job sometime. I really feel pleased with myself, and it conjures up me to maintain going and work tougher.” – Rappler.com
