Defining success differs from one perspective. Each one of us has its different story to tell and how we perceive success. But what does it take to be successful? What’s the true essence of being in that state? Let us take a peek at a success story within the compounds of Cebu People’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
Meet Kenny Jhon Mandin, 23 years old, Kenny as fondly called by his peers. He is the eldest of three by a solo mom, mama Fe. During his teenage days, they moved to Cebu from Bohol and experienced that life here was a bit challenging when they started. While his mother made extra efforts by selling banana cues, Kenny goes out on weekends helping his mama by peddling banana cues to neighbors or would go out as “konduktor” or fare collector with his stepfather who’s at that time, a jeepney driver. Doing this made him earn extra for his baon or allowance for the school days. It motivated him to thrive with his studies in a meager income and even made some savings.
During summer vacation, assisting his stepfather is his priority instead of playing basketball or horsing around with friends. Since then, it has given him a good push to do good in school and helping his family. With his persistence and hard work, Kenny made it through, finished high school, then pursued college studies at the nearby technological school, in which mama Fe made an extra effort and enrolled him as influenced by their neighbors whose children are also a student of the said school.
When the pandemic hit the country, the world stopped, but not with Kenny’s. Learned and heard of Cebu People’s Jeep excites Kenny. He applied and was accepted as the passenger assistance officer(PAO) next to the driver. That kept him busy despite the lockdown and while the pandemic challenges both lives and their livelihood. Kenny made much of the crisis by juggling work and studying online.
Some, believe that poverty is a hindrance to success. Kenny made it his inspiration by pursuing his passion, learning, and goal to support his family and never give up with all the life struggles thrown at him. Because Kenny believes in the saying ” When life throws you a lemon make lemonade. ”
Kenny’s determination landed him a permanent job as the official driver of Cebu People’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative CEO. This paves the way to graduate with his electrical engineering technology course from Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise, a nonstock non-profit educational organization founded in the ’90s in Cebu City.
Kenny is planning to pursue his studies and wanted to become a licensed electrical engineer someday. His dreams and desires always get the blessing from the cooperative as it allows its people to pursue building dreams, careers, and future.
