Of Chasing Dreams

New beginnings and opportunities thru PERA-MPC

When opportunity knocks on your door, you must take the chance and gamble because you’ll
never know if you’ll get another breakthrough that could change your life forever.
 
This proved true to Hendrie Useph M. Burdeos of Brgy. Agusan Pequeño, Butuan City, a grade
10 student of Agusan del Sur National High School, when was selected as one of the recipients
of the scholarship program of Pera-MPC. 
 
“PERA MPC has made our lives easier. I continued my studies even though my mom struggled
to make ends meet. The cash assistance, tablet, pocket wifi with Php 350 monthly allowance,
and USB from the cooperative have helped me a lot to compensate my school expenses for four
years now,” said Hendrie in an interview. 
 
Their struggles were in contrast, six years ago, when the head of their family was still alive.
Hendrie’s father had been a good provider to the family. He unexpectedly died in a vehicular
accident in 2016, leaving behind his wife, Evelyn, and their five children. 
 
“My husband was a peddler. I was a plain housewife. My kids and I were pampered and well-
provided with our basic needs when he was still with us. I was really lost and devastated when
he was gone. I don’t know where to start. Our eldest was in her first year of college at that
time. I was hopeless, desperate!” uttered Evelyn Burdeos. 
 
Despite her predicament, she has to move forward. She landed different jobs, such as a factory
worker in a plywood company and an on-call labandera. She needed these jobs to survive the
day and to be able to continue to send her children to school. Aside from the money that she
earned from her work, she was able to meet Pera MPC, which helped her in chasing the dreams
of her children.
 
“Giving up is not an option. I worked double time. Pera-MPC became my partner in raising my
children. I was thankful when Hendrie was chosen as a scholar. A part of my burden has been
lifted. Not only was he benefited, but also his other siblings.” Evelyn remarked. 
 
With the opportunity at hand, this paved way for Hendrie’s family to alleviate their dire
situation. It was the beginning of a new life he hoped they would conquer together to achieve
their goals. 
 
“Challenges are spices of life. I am stronger now. I am motivated to finish my studies. I know I
am in good hands with Pera-MPC,” Hendrie opined.