Dream come true! The story of my pilgrimage visit to the country of my secret benefactors

***

At the start of February this year, I finally made one of the most important trips of my life. This trip was also my strongest motivation for accepting a job offer in Belgium.

I tried to delay the trip for as long as possible. I used it as my anchor to stay in Belgium for as long as I could.

Because I knew that this trip held meaning

And I couldn’t leave Europe until I could make it happen.

But first, a little backstory.

***

Few people knew. Before I took Accounting at a well-known university in our city, I came from an unknown, underdog high school.

In that school, I belong to a class of approx. 35.

A class of sons and daughters by homemakers, farmers, teachers, and vendors

None of the parents worked in corporate or knew what it meant to work in one.

Before graduation, some of my female classmates went into early pregnancy. Some of my male classmates caused unwanted pregnancy.

The questions we asked ourselves are not:

"What course will you take?"

"Where will you go to college?"

But this...

"Will you go to college?"

But some questions are better left unasked.

I can only finger-count the number of people who later went to college.

I was one of them.

***

The impossible dream journey started in my third year of high school. Teachers pushed me out of my shell. They presented opportunities to boost my extracurricular activities.

In the past, I’ve struggled with excelling outside academics. I only cared about studying and my books. I never cared about social interactions.

I’ve always been content as the second best or at least in the top five. This time, I ended up valedictorian of our graduating high school class.

But not without the people who helped me to strengthen my college application and chances for acceptance.

My mother received the university acceptance letter sometime before I graduated from high school. The letter also contained a scholarship approval.

“I received the letter the same day the city market burned,” my mother told me later. She used to sell vegetables in the city’s public market. Selling was our primary source of income while growing up.

When the market burned, my dreams burned brighter. I was on my way to giving our family a better chance and removing my mother from the market life.

The scholarship paved the way.

Thus, I gained the privilege of studying at a Jesuit university. A group of benefactors decided to invest in my education. The benefactors came from Germany. Some of them studied at a German school.

While in university, I met some of these students at an event. But during those times, I still lacked the confidence to interact with foreigners. Thus, I failed to connect with them.

Only later, after I finished college and became a CPA, I did some sleuthing.

(What you’ll read next is based on my research and experience. They might not be as accurate as the truth.)

In Munich, Germany, a kind Filipino Jesuit priest studied and served in a local church. One time, the community he served learned about the urban-poor situation in the Philippines. They thought of setting up a scholarship foundation.  The community raised funds through trade fairs or weekend markets. The trade fairs happened in the church’s backyard.

I also knew the foundation has a partnership program with a German school. Back in college, I exchanged emails with some of the students from the school. But I lost contact because I made the stupid mistake of forgetting my email password.

Once, I got pulled from class to meet the scholarship coordinator and one of the school teachers. I knew some names behind the foundation. But because of the scholarship clause that prevent us from meeting our benefactors, I did not contact them while in Germany.

I also realized I didn’t want to meet my scholarship benefactors. They remain as angels in my memory. I imagine some of the students would have already been working by now. I’m hopeful that people I’ve coached or mentored through work would indirectly benefit them and their future kids. Who knows?

In any case, I’m forever thankful to my nameless benefactors. Back then, I made a promise. I would visit their country and city to learn their culture and ways. To understand why they would sponsor a stranger's education from miles away.

The dream trip came true. Eleven years later, after I graduated.

On one cold Sunday in February, I found myself in Munich, finally making my pilgrimage trip.

But first, I went to the Dachau concentration camp. I wanted to relearn the history I've only read about in the books.

When I entered the gas chamber in the camp, I felt the heaviness of death and loss. The whole trip reminded me of the evil consequences of becoming too self-centered and believing yourself to be better than the rest.

After the Dachau visit, I rode the train to the local church where the trade fairs occur.

I walked the streets where I imagined some of my benefactors might have walked on their way to the Sunday mass.

I entered the church and bared my heart's desires once more to the invisible power that had guided and kept guiding me throughout my journey.

During this trip, I didn't manage to visit my benefactors' school. Thus, my pilgrimage is not over. Part two will come soon.

When I've completed the second half of the trip, that would be the perfect conclusion to my European adventure.

And I'll be ready to move to another place, another city, or even return to my home country.

But still, I didn't come this far to stop the journey midway.

I still have miles and miles to go. More places to explore, more stories to discover. And a few big dreams remain.

But inside me, I kept carrying the heavy burdens of my classmates' dreams, unfulfilled because of their circumstances.

I carry the deep wishes of my mother and my teachers and believers who aspired to give me the best education they could give me.

I carry the trust of those who decided to expose me to many learning opportunities, hoping I can pass on the lessons I've learned.

I do not take them lightly.

It would be a disservice if I stopped realizing my potential, if I remained content and complacent, and if I didn't contribute my gifts.

Why do I share this story with you now?

Because I want you to understand where my passion for education comes from.

Even though I did not think of myself as a teacher in my younger years

Even though I lacked the patience to teach my younger siblings and classmates because of my selfish drive to get out and get ahead

Now, I must pass on what I received. I do not care so much about the form, whether it's a formal education delivered in classes or training or informal education through coaching, mentoring, or writing these journals.

I write these journals with one purpose in mind—to give back all the experiences, knowledge, and skills I’ve gained.

I'll be happy if, in the future, a young dreamer (or even one of my benefactor’s kids/grandkids) will read the archives and pick a lesson or two from my adventures.

I have only one request from you after reading this story.

That you'll continue to believe in the power of small acts, that you'll continue to develop yourself and hone your potential.

And that you’ll lead other dreamers to better opportunities.

When you invest in your personal development and others’ development, you’re investing in a better, kinder world where you can make a difference.

Your kindness and generosity create ripples.

***

PS. What do you want to learn in the coming months? Participate in this survey and get a chance to win a free 1:1 coaching session with me.

PPS. On 7 March, I’m opening enrollment for two new coaching programs aimed at accountants and auditors who want to get unstuck of their current role and create a happy, meaningful career move in the next 3-6 months. The enrollment will be open for a limited time only. Stay tuned for more details!

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