Help us give chances and change lives

By Michael Belonio, One UPV board member (originally posted on Facebook)

With an average acceptance rate of 16%, the University of the Philippines (UP) is one of the hardest, if not the hardest, universities to get into in the Philippines. Students accepted in the university are considered to be the “best in class.” Despite of being qualified and despite of the state subsidies in tuition fees, there is still a significant number of promising students that are unable to complete their education because of an unfortunate thing–poverty.

These students cannot sustain themselves during their stay in the university since they cannot afford to pay the cost of living expenses which, on average, only amounts to $100 per month. Their stories inspired a group of alumni in late 2016 to form One UPV Foundation (USA), Inc., a fully registered tax exempt nonprofit organization (based in NJ, USA) aimed to provide and support educational opportunities for students in need in the Philippines.

As a board members of the organization, we are currently in the process of selecting candidates to qualify in a scholarship program. I am inviting all of you to join us in our cause and vision to remove poverty as hindrance in achieving one’s dream of a quality education. Please (consider making a donation) and help us give chances and change lives.