Mary Ann watched her parents sacrifice and struggle endlessly. Her father lived with a speech and hearing disability, preventing stable work, and her mother was unemployed after high school. With three other siblings, the family’s finances were constantly stretched thin. But Mary Ann persevered, oftentimes walking to the port to find a cell signal so she could complete her homework. Today, with the support of a U-GO scholarship, she is a proud graduate and employed, proving courage pays off.

Jennifer Santiago, an aspiring science teacher from the Philippines, overcame the loss of her parents and financial struggles with the unwavering support of her grandfather. Facing challenges during online learning, she nearly dropped out, but a U-GO scholarship allowed her to continue her studies—keeping her dream alive to graduate, support her family, and create a better future.