Success Story: Antonio Morales

The 3rd Succesful story is from Antonio Morales Antonio was born in 1989. He is now 29. His parents, Narciso and Victoria Morales are farmers. They had five children, of whom Antonio was the fourth. One died. All four surviving children attended FKM Calingag High School and graduated there. Antonio attended primary school from age 7-12 (1996-2001) After graduating, he wanted to continue his further education at high school. At that time, however, there was no High School in or near Calingag, and his family did not have the money to send him further afield. The cost of transportation, daily allowance, and other expenses was too great. From age 12-16 (2001-2005), therefore, Antonio worked on his parents’ farm, earning an income from their vegetable plantation, until it was sold to finance hospital care for the child who eventually died. He also earned an income as a jeepney driver and had some financial assistance from his sister. Then in 2005 Calingag High School opened. Antonio, encouraged by his parents, immediately enrolled despite being a matured student. He studied there at FKM Calingag High School for four years and graduated in 2009, Fulfilling his dream to finish high school so that he could find a better employment abroad. He decided not to apply to go to University, but instead is now working in the Riyadh the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Antonio is grateful to SIKAT, for setting up Calingag High School. He says it has been a great help to him, his family, and also others who could not afford to pursue a high school education further afield. During his time there it lacked the facilities and equipment possessed by other schools. However, the teachers were excellent. Without it, he and others like him could not have finished their school education. Moreover, not only has the school already benefitted the Calingag community, it will do so even more in the future.