Time, Talent, and Treasure

I asked the attendees (4S officers, scholars, and board of directors) their feelings at the moment.

Some are happy, and some are hungry.

I said I’m happy because the last group of officers has accomplished their goals. I am also pleased to welcome the new group of officers.

A question inspired this in the contest.

The contest organizer asked me, “What will happen to the foundation when you’re gone?”

It feels like answering a Table Topics question. I was babbling.

I knew then that we would not win.

We invested our time and talent as we badly needed monies for our scholars.

The two representatives Catcat and Chazell, immediately called me for a debrief. “Ate Shel, other organizations are so big and structured. We have a lot to do! And the question about sustainability, we were surprised as well and asked ourselves, ‘what will happen to the scholars if the founder is gone?’”

Then, I asked them what their dreams are.

I told them how I ended up dreaming of a scholarship foundation.

My dream was to become a teacher.

When I was in high school, it changed when I found out that Certified Public Accountants earn a lot. All I wanted then was to graduate, be a CPA, make a lot for my widowed mom.

I didn’t know that I became an unrespectful daughter.

One morning, my mother forgot to wake me up. I was late for school.

“Why you didn’t wake me up?! Oh, you don’t know how important this subject is to me.”

I made a face and showed her that I am angry!

She said, “You are not giving me money yet, but look how disrespectful you are. Don’t ever give me money when you start earning.”

I cried and reflected on what I did. I was studying hard for my mom, but she won’t accept my money. What’s the point.

Since then, I have focused on my goal of making her happy. It’s not money at all. I don’t need to earn a lot to make her happy. I can make her happy by helping her with household chores and by being a good daughter.

A couple of years later, an inspiration that I want to help poor students in our community by having a scholarship foundation. I remember what I learned from my encounter with my mom. I don’t need to have money. I was only a college student then.

Do you know what I did? I bought pilot pens for our fellow youth leaders at church. Poor students would get a pen costs up to Php4, but I’d like them to experience having expensive pens.

I was so happy and imagined the happiness I’d feel if I can help poor students in their studies through a scholarship foundation.

Years later, 4S was born.

We don’t need to be, to have, and many tos, to do the things we love.

Whatever situation we are in, we can help! We can share our time, talent, and treasure.

What will you start sharing today?