Jong: A Life Story

Jong is not his real name. He was born in one of the most conflict-ridden areas in the country. The youngest of four siblings, he has experienced loss at an early age, as two of his older brothers passed away due to illness.

Jong’s parents separated when he was just nine years old. He does not know his father’s whereabouts, and his mother has since moved on, now living with another man. Jong resides with his mother, stepfather, and stepbrother. He originally had two stepbrothers, but one also succumbed to illness.

According to Jong, life has become a little more bearable since his stepfather was able to find work. His stepfather, a carpenter by trade, provided for the family until he developed a severe lung-related illness, largely attributed to excessive alcohol consumption. With his stepfather now unable to work, their struggles have worsened, making survival a daily challenge.

To help support his family, Jong works at a local hotel. His daily shift runs from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM, a grueling 15-hour workday, for which he earns only 75 pesos along with three meals. Despite his meager wages, he gives most of his earnings to his mother, who supplements their income by doing laundry for neighbors. However, Jong has no idea how much she earns from it.

Education is a fundamental right for every child, but Jong has not been as fortunate. He was unable to complete even his first year of high school due to financial constraints. The cost of education, even in government schools, proved to be an insurmountable barrier.

To enroll in a public school, Jong needed to pay a registration fee of 500 pesos, not including school supplies. However, these expenses were not his greatest concern. The real challenge lay in his daily transportation costs. A roundtrip fare to school required 80 pesos per day—an amount his family simply could not afford.

There was another government school in town where his daily transportation fare would only amount to 30 pesos. However, this school specialized in trade education, and trade schools are notorious for their costly projects and materials—another expense Jong could not manage.

As he shared his story with me, I could see his deep yearning for education. He longed for an opportunity to be a working student, hoping someone would take him in. But the town lacks a night school, and his work schedule leaves him with only weekends free. This makes finding a suitable arrangement nearly impossible.

Life often unfolds in ironic ways. We are all born with challenges to overcome and responsibilities to carry. Yet, despite the struggles, we must persist. I encouraged Jong to pursue his education in any way he could. I understand, at least to some extent, how difficult it is to finish school when faced with financial hardships, as I, too, have endured similar struggles during my high school years.

Deep inside, I wish I could do more than just encourage him. If circumstances were different, I would extend my support. But at this moment, distance and my own limitations prevent me from offering direct assistance. However, I remain hopeful. Perhaps not today, but I believe that tomorrow holds new possibilities, and someday, I may be able to help not just Jong, but others like him who dream of a better future.