MY FRIEND HAROLD
Harold is 25 this week and has just passed all his nursing exams and is in the process of getting his documentation to leave the Philippines and like thousands and thousands of others he will leave where the grass is greener or the place where he can send 90 percent of his wages back to his family and extended family near Manila.
He started his life on the remote island of POLLILIO about fours hours from Manila (I will write about that place soon).
His life was living in a small home with no electricity no running water and no love, his day was doing chores climbing tress and getting coconuts and working in the family rice fields day after day after day.
His only break was to go to a local school a few km from his home, he would walk there in the morning walk back at dinner time as he had no money for food and then walk back to school again in the afternoon and return late afternoon only to continue his chores relentlessly.
He loved school even though it was basic schooling he knew very young that his life was in education, but that was impossible where he lived for two main reasons they being the location and lack of any educational facilities that would help him, and the anger of his father who needed Harold at the rice field everyday or the family starved.
Violence erupted several times between Harold and his father even broken bones, but Harold left home and managed to get to Manila where his dream of education was waiting for him, he worked everywhere JOLIBEE, McDonald’s , KFC ,EVERYWHERE and his long lost family member in Australia sent him money to start education but not to live.
So he worked through the night and studied at school during the day, this he did for most of FOUR years, through his tears through his illness and through lack of money he continued with a heart as strong as ever I have seen.
Now he is ready to get good job and he remembers that several years ago myself and friend in Manila met him by chance and my friend diagnosed that Harold was very ill and needed hospital treatment quickly.
We financed that and now he has devoted his life to repaying us( never money), he never writes or phones without saying I love you for what you done
His true father is terminally ill and is so proud to have seen his son successful, and the highest accolade I can now have is that he calls me his father.
What a privilege to know him and to know what we are capable of if we really have to try.
The Philippines has a spirit and a heart like no other place on Earth, I am grateful and humbled to be here.
Hi John,
What an inspiring story! I hope young kids are able to read this post and learn. It truly breaks my heart that a lot of young people don’t value education as they ought to, however privileged they are. If only these kids know how others sacrifice to get one, like Harold. What a kind-hearted person you are and you now reap what you sowed. Great post!
Great post John, don’t know who I admire more ..you or Harold..have to make it both !
Hi John - Wow, what a touching story! I really enjoyed hearing about Harold. I have heard you talk about him before when we have been together, but I had no idea about your history with him. You are a great person, John, and your story with Harold only shows a small amount of that greatness. I am proud to call you my friend!
Hi John,
Great story! I can see that Harold is already on his way to success in life. It is overcoming obstacles like his that makes a man able to handle the unexpected. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon in the Philippines. I know a number of people who started out like Harold and are very successful in their chosen professions as opposed to those with inherited wealth and did not do pretty much with their lives.
Thanks to you and your friend, John, for being there for Harold in his time of need. This story is a great example of the inherent goodness of humanity. Kudos to you all!
John
Great to read a good news and good fellowship story, we hear so much of the other side in the news, this kind of re- balances out some of the negativity there is in the world. good on you that is what i have to say.
Hi Everybody - I just wanted to let you all know that John is out of town, so I am not sure that he will read your comments until he returns at the end of the coming week. Don’t be discouraged if John doesn’t respond right away, because I am certain that he will be touched with the comments that are being left here.
Hi John. Great and touching story. Most of us Filipinos would see strive to do our best to finish schooling and have a good job to provide for his or her own family. As you can see, a majority of us come from poor families thus we need to do our best to alleviate ourselves from poverty. If we need to go out of our country to find a better paying job to support our family, we shall do it, even if there is risks involved and even if this would mean being away with our loved ones. The love and support of our families are our strengths to get us by in our everyday lives.
I for one am glad of the opportunity to be able to support my family back home there while I’m working overseas.
Hi John,
Great story has made my day start well here in cloudy London.
Maybe you could mention occasionally how Harold’s life is going.
I’ve been involved in similar, helping someone to help themself is so uplifting and rewarding.
Good luck to you.
HAROLD UPDATE.
Sorry for late response as Bob told you I have been out of contact, have just checked in with Harold here looking at the comments.
Needless to say hes humbled and more important he has two interviews this week for well paying jobs here in MANILA.
And he tells me again that he would not be here if we had not helped him with medical issues two years ago.
Just so glad that he has changed his life moved up and is now in a position to support his family, all that from a little kindness two years ago.
[...] MY SON HAROLD [...]