In a world where a parent’s embrace felt like a distant dream and the word “home” was empty, I learned to survive in an emotional void. Moving from one roof to another only led me further away from the answers I desperately sought. Night after night, I carried the same question: “Of all the children born into this world, why was I placed in this situation?”
I am Rom, a child once lost in uncertainty, devoid of dreams and family. From a young age, I faced life like an endless storm. Each morning, I woke up with a smile, but deep inside, I carried the heavy weight of loneliness and the fear of being uprooted again. I never knew if my next stop would be a home or another temporary refuge.
Then, one day, a hand offered me a new path. I found myself at Stairway Foundation, a place that was more than just a shelter; it taught me the true meaning of life.
When I arrived at Stairway, I could not read or write. While other children focused on their studies, I hid behind my playful facade, masking my fear of being left behind. Regardless of my struggles, our teacher and the caring individuals around me never gave up on me. They stood by me through it all.
A Journey of Learning and Building Confidence
Within months, I learned to write the letters of my name. I no longer whispered my age; now, I could write it down. One of my sweetest victories was reading an entire book I had longed to understand. Slowly, everything began to click. Words transformed from mere pictures into meaningful symbols. Most importantly, I discovered abilities I had never known I possessed—gifts that had always been within, just waiting to emerge.
With every mistake, there was a guiding hand. With every fall, there was a voice encouraging me, saying, “You can do this. We believe in you.” My confidence grew as I learned new words and sentences, and no longer feared being left behind. With every step I took, I had people walking beside me, cheering me on.
Embracing the Future
I was once just a child who dreamed, observed, and learned. Today, I share my knowledge with my fellow children at Stairway, teaching them how to bake bread, make soap, and produce soy milk, tofu, and crafts. I help tend to our grapevines and dragon fruit plants. I now provide feedback on the potential of other children in the program. I have also become an open-water diver and freediver, participating in efforts to protect and clean the coral reefs and seas of Puerto Galera. Just last year, I earned my Masonry National Certificate II through TESDA’s program.
I never imagined I would find the family I had been searching for in a place I least expected. The people I met at Stairway became my mentors—my guiding lights—giving me the strength and courage to change the course of my life.
I still fear the future, knowing that tomorrow holds no certainty. Yet, despite my fears and doubts, I am no longer alone. I understand that for every challenge ahead, there is always a way forward. The most important lesson I’ve learned? I will trust and love myself. That is where true growth begins.