A Bird In The Cage - Personal Story PDF

A Bird in the Cage This testimonio is from my mother's story of her life. I was born in the province of Bohol. I was the fifth child of twelve. My parents are both farmers. We were living in a simple house at the top of the mountain. And as the eldest among my sisters, I was responsible for all th...

A Bird in the Cage This testimonio is from my mother's story of her life. I was born in the province of Bohol. I was the fifth child of twelve. My parents are both farmers. We were living in a simple house at the top of the mountain. And as the eldest among my sisters, I was responsible for all the household chores and serve as the mother of my younger siblings by taking care of them while my parents are on the farm. It was so hard for me to study because our school is about 4 kilometers away from our house and it was located at the bottom of the mountain. So, I have to walk every day before and after class. Every time I got home, I was so exhausted wanting to sleep but my mother always force me to do the household chores or else I will be punished.  So, I have no choice but to do what she asked me. My everyday life is so tiring and difficult. My mother always treated me so badly. I never feel the love of a mother. And my father, he always came home drunk but even though he's drunk he never laid his hands to us not like any other drunks who always messing around violently. There are times that we don't have food to eat because he spends the money in drinking and in the cock fighting. Every time he went home my mother scolded him. Almost every day there is a war in the house. But despite all of those happenings in my life, I was so proud of myself. Since elementary to high school I was a consistent honor student. My medals and achievements are my precious possessions. Every day and every time I received awards I always thank God for always staying with me in times of trial and happiness. My faith in God will never ever disappear. And I also have faith that I will enter to college despite of our poverty. It is the only way that I can see to escape from this way of living. But my mother told me no, "you can't go to college. We don't have money for your expenses and you should help me feeding your siblings. You should go to work!".My heart broke and shattered. I cried and cried when I got home. I can't accept that I can't go college. I really want to go to college. Any course is fine for me I just want to go to college. But no matter how many times I beg she never listened but instead she shouted at me forcing me to do the work. I was hired as a helper at a Chinese convenient store for two months and I eventually went to Mindanao because my Uncle promised me to help me finished my education. But when I get there he made me as his child's babysitter. I thought I could continue my study. I was so disappointed and upset. How long should I endure this terrible cage of mine? How long do I have to wait before I get my freedom? It's been FOUR YEARS of working in different stores and houses! Does my right in education have already been forgotten?  I can't accept this. I don't want to stay in this kind of life forever! I have to do something. Then, my older cousin heard my complains.  She offers me her help; she is willing to pay for my enrollment and expenses for just a year. But the problem is, will my mother allows me to return to school? Knowing that it can affect my work? I was so desperate. I have to tell my mother that I really want to enter college. I was so nervous and scared. What if she rejects the offer? What will happen to my future? I was completely shocked. My mother has given the permission to accept the offer. My heart is overflowed with joy. I was so happy after FOUR YEARS finally I can truly go to college. I take the vocational course, nursing aid. And as promised I finished it in a year. After that my cousin brought me to the brother of her master who is a doctor to assist him on his clinic because his wife is on abroad.  But I never expect that he is the person who can help me finished the college. And now I am a licensed registered midwife who is currently working at the Hospital of Carmona, Cavite.