Story by John Laurence L. Teologo
Supported by Diana Marie Javier
At 50, Jocelyn Enfermo is proving that it is never too late to begin again.
For the past nine years, Jocelyn has raised her six children as a solo parent. Her children, now aged 25, 24, 22, 16, 15, and 13, have grown up watching their mother take on whatever work she could find, including housekeeping and caregiving, to help provide for their family.
The years have not been easy, but Jocelyn has never allowed hardship to weaken her determination.
“Hindi lang pwede na aasa din ako sa kanila,” she says, firm in her belief that she cannot simply rely on her older children to support the family.
Her greatest regret is not being able to provide all her children with the educational opportunities she had hoped to give them. Financial constraints forced the family to make difficult choices, but Jocelyn continues to hold on to her children’s dreams. Some of her daughters hope to become teachers or office workers, while others simply dream of finishing school.
For the three children who are still studying, Jocelyn is determined to do more.
“Gusto kong makabawi sa tatlo ko pang anak na nag-aaral,” she shares.
An Opportunity She Could Not Let Pass
A new possibility opened when a friend told Jocelyn about the Medical Scholarship Program (MSP) of Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) and Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Inc. (BCFI). Her friend had seen the scholarship announcement shared through their barangay and encouraged her to apply.
Caregiving training, which could cost as much as ₱40,000, was far beyond what Jocelyn could afford. Receiving formal training seemed unlikely, but she took a chance.
After successfully completing the screening process, Jocelyn became a caregiving scholar under MSP Batch 4.
The scholarship gave her more than access to training. It offered her a second chance to develop new skills, pursue better work opportunities, and rebuild her hopes for her family’s future.
Learning While Providing
Becoming a student again came with its own challenges.
Jocelyn had to balance her classes with part-time work, household responsibilities, and caring for her children. Her weekdays were divided among work, training, and family duties, while her weekends were spent completing household chores and preparing meals.
“Mahirap kapag sabay ang trabaho at school,” she admits.
There were days when the demands felt overwhelming, but Jocelyn continued. Every lesson completed brought her closer to the future she wanted to create for her children.
Her journey also taught her that age does not have to determine what a person can still accomplish.
“Sa caregiving, hindi hadlang ang edad basta kaya mo.”
A Mother’s Hope for the Future
Having completed the caregiving program, Jocelyn now hopes to find stable work, whether in the Philippines or abroad. Her goal remains the same: to provide for her children, support their education, and give them a more secure future.
Graduating from the program is more than a personal achievement for Jocelyn. It represents a second chance to build the life she has long hoped to give her family.
Maraming salamat… malaking bahagi ito sa buhay ko. Ito ang unang hakbang sa magandang buhay para sa pamilya ko.
Jocelyn’s journey is a reminder that it is never too late to begin again. After years of putting her children first, she has earned new skills, completed her training, and taken a meaningful step toward a dream of her own.
Through the Medical Scholarship Program, PSFI and BCFI help scholars like Jocelyn develop the skills and confidence to pursue meaningful work. For Jocelyn, graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter and brings her closer to the future she continues to work toward for her children.
