For many Filipinos, education is seen as key to poverty alleviation; however, getting a degree is a challenge for those with financial problems.

Jeffrey Baluyut is a 23-year-old who graduated from junior high school in 2017. While he hoped to continue his education, he had to work to help his family with their daily needs. Three years later, he had a child, and his life became more financially challenging. But he still dreamed of continuing his studies by completing a technical vocational course. He believed that with a national certificate, he could land a better job and provide a better future for his family.

Determined to pursue his dream, he enrolled at Don Bosco Academy Pampanga. Luckily, he was awarded a Security Bank Foundation, Inc. TechVoc scholarship.

The scholarship was made possible through a partnership with Security Bank clients Motech Automotive Educational Center and Sambon P&E Philippines. SBFI provided on-the-job training allowance while the two clients offered their premises for the OJT of 16 Don Bosco technical vocational students for five months.

"Dahil sa scholarship, nakakapag-focus na ako sa pag-aaral, lalo na at may binubuhay na ako na pamilya. Malaking tulong din ang nakuha kong OJT allowance. Ngayon ay nakapasa ako sa NCII at ako'y lubos na nagpapasalamat sa panginoon at sa Security Bank Foundation," said Baluyut.

Since 1993, SBFI has provided scholarships to 1,156 scholars who are Security Bank employees, agency personnel or their children, underprivileged technical vocational students, or underprivileged college students in eight partner universities.

Going beyond monetary support