Being born poor doesn’t mean that one has to remain that way for the rest of his/her life. Mailyn Esquelito Akoy didn’t allow the obstacles to stop her from dreaming and finally achieving her dreams. Her dad works as a “kargador” and despite having undergone an operation, he continued to work. This inspired the young lady more to pursue college to be able to provide a better life for her and the family. The family went through a lot of hardships. They live in the squatter’s area and have endured a lot of sleepless night when typhoons come because the area they live gets flooded easily.
Even at a young age, she had dreamt of helping her family survive. She always tries to earn even a little amount just so she can help put food on the table. She would even avoid extra-curricular activities in school so she could use the contribution required for the family’s needs. Some of the jobs she did to help the family includes tutoring, making the projects of classmates, chicharon packing, vegetable seller, and even picks up plastic bottles.
She stopped schooling for a year after her high school graduation because her parents can’t afford anymore. Fortunately, she obtained a scholarship from TESDA and took up Computer Literacy at Nuestra Seniora de Candelaria Parish Church in Sultan Kudarat. She, later on, passed the entrance exam at the Sultan Kudarat State University where she enrolled in Bachelor of Arts major in Economics.
She used the money that her mother got from 5-6 which made her dad work harder to be able to pay the said loan. There were times that people would mock her for being ambitious when in fact; her father was only a “kargador”. For her graduation message, Mailyn said that even if she didn’t graduate with honors, she’s proud to say that she didn’t give up and will never be ashamed to say that her father is a “kargador”. Here’s a word of wisdom from her;
“Kahit hindi man ako Cum Laude, Hindi rin ako honored student at wala man akong matatanggap na kahit anong award at kahit audience nanaman ang lola nyo sa nalalapit na parangal, masaya ako na ilahad ang aking kwento hindi para may maipagmayabang dahil malapit na ako sa katotohanan ng tagumpay kundi para maibahagi ang kwento kong ito para magsilbing inspirasyon sa mga kabataang katulad ko na salat sa buhay, na anak ng isang kargado, na kahit anong hirap ay kayang lampasan lahat ng pagsubok, mapagpursige at mapagsumikap na anak at isang istudyanteng kailanman hindi nauubusan at nawawalan ng tiwala sa Puong Maykapal.
Dahil kung ikaw ay may hangarin maaabot at maaabot mo ang iyong mga pinapangarap. Dahil ako? HINDI AKO NAHIHIYANG IPAALAM NA ANG TRABAHO NG AKING AMA AY ISANG “KARGADOR”.