Seed Capital for a Brighter Future

Who Am I?

I am Augustus Lito M. Narag, a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines. I am currently employed as a Project Development Officer II (designated as Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Officer and concurrently Regional Risk Management and Quality Assurance Focal Person). I am detailed at the Conditional Cash Transfer Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – Field Office II located at Tuguegarao City, Cagayan in the Philippines. This is a regional government agency at the northeastern part of the Philippines which primarily focused on promoting and protecting the rights of the poor, marginalized and vulnerable. I worked with the agency for the past 7 years, with deepened commitment to excellence and public service. My outstanding performance is demonstrated when I was selected as a 2015 Awardee – Outstanding DSWD as a Public Servant at the National Level.

Recently, I have been endorsed both at the regional and national level as the nominee of DSWD for the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for an International Scholarship for Master in Public Administration, with focused on Public Management and Public Sector Reform at Global School of Public Administration (GSPA) of Seoul National University (SNU). However, after series of screening, I was not selected to the limited slots for the Philippines. But, the University has offered me a SNU Foundation Scholarship (Kim, Jae-Ik Fellowship). This is a full scholarship covering tuition fees of the program, a round trip air ticket, accommodation and living expenses during my stay in Korea for my Master program from August 16, 2019 to December 30, 2020. This foreign scholarship is a demonstration of my commitment for learning and excellence, and my vision to be a key influencer in social protection and development in the Philippines.

Furthermore, I am a University Part-time instructor at Saint Paul University Philippines (located at Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Philippines).

I am highly-driven individual, usually thinking beyond the horizons, and often challenging the norms, if only to create and innovate processes, systems and mechanisms to attain the organizational goals and address recurring or even emerging challenges. My passion for service is unparalleled and it continuously grows/ develops through time.

Roadblock

However, as I chart my professional career to greater heights, there are impediments that seem to delay or hinder further progress. Thus, my earnest and sincerest intention to knock at your door, so a helping hand, no matter what the extent is, be graciously given to me. Despite the lack of acquaintance or network connections, my story speaks softly to your heart and soul and graciously give a helping hand.

Embarrassing it may seem, but my life story is marked with financial burdens and difficulties that significantly affect my progress/ development. Living in a sub-urban community and raised by both parents who were both born out of wedlock had already placed me and my other siblings into disadvantages within the social structure. However, despite the unfortunate past, I had exerted much effort to make the best out of myself. Despite the limitedness of the financial capacities of both my parents, I managed to graduate from the University with two Bachelor Degrees in 2004 and 2005; obtain my Master’s Degree in 2010, and currently finishing my Doctorate degree. Furthermore, my sense of adventure and desire for expanding my horizons had compelled me to explore various international opportunities where I honed and enhanced my skills and competencies. With my perseverance and diligence, I managed to acquire training abroad such as South Korea, Australia, Belgium, United States of America among others. Despite the financial constraints of my parents, I was able to avail these opportunities without having them shell-out a single penny.

Life went terrific, as if nothing could go wrong. I was ascending from the ranks in the government, gaining credibility in my field of work. However, the sudden change of events had literally brought me to a downfall, that was painful and excruciating. While I had developed resilience to rise up from the circumstances, yet there are still battles that needed to be overcame.

The tragedy began in 2015. My eldest sister sought for my help when she grew completely bankrupt from the insurance claims on the account of her husband’s death. She literally had no money left and that I had to assume full responsibility in sending her children to school- Hernan Angelo (currently Grade 11) and Hazel Angelica (4^thyear college/ university). I had to take full responsibility in paying their school fees, their daily allowance and their daily living. She worked as a temporary worker at the City Government, however, her salary is even below the minimum wage.

Furthermore, a month after, my mother was diagnosed with Liver Cancer. In efforts to make her live longer, we were too aggressive on her medication while hospitalized. We risked selling the only inheritance my father had, and literally spent all of the proceeds of the sales and all of my savings towards her hospitalization, and later her funeral.

Few months after her funeral, the cost of supporting my father, my eldest brother (who is unemployed) and my sister and her family had been my full responsibility. I knew, I should have not taken the burden, but family is family. I graciously embraced and supported my family. Unfortunately, as time goes by, my income is not even half of the monthly expenses, plus the debts incurred by my family due to the hospitalization, death of my mother, and the bankruptcy of my sister. I recently took account of the list of my debts, and I could not believe it that it is two times larger than my annual salary.

Upon reflection of all of these, my heart fainted. I could never expand my wings further and explore career development and progress if I will be entangled for the next years paying debts. I cannot abandon my family and let alone, leave them in these difficult times. I am standing closer by them, help them while they strengthen themselves until they are able to confidently stand on their own.

I am in need of financial assistance, so I can literally break the chains of debts that had chainedme and my future. I wanted to break out from these realities and be able to live a day worrying that my paycheck will never be sufficient to pay for my debts.

My Plea

Come to my aid and plant a capital seed. Let me be a fertile ground for humanitarian investment. My passion for service remains unparalleled, as I am set freed from these financial burdens, it gives me more time to recreate and innovate so I can be of further service and be the changemaker I have always been.

Journey with me towards living a debt-free life so I can eventually break the intergenerational poverty in my family and provide a better future, not only for my family, but also the bigger community (as I am a government employee) and also to my students (as I too am a teacher).

As I am looking forward to a debt-free future, I firmly believe that your kind generosity shall be a seed in a fertile ground that shall eventually flourish into strong relationships bounded by accountability and mentoring. Your kind generosity shall be figuratively regarded as you reaching out your hand and such bond shall flourish through time developing into a healthy relationship that will make me more responsible for what lies ahead for me.

How to reach me

I will be completely humbled and honored as you plant a seed capital into my potential to effect and influence change in my family, society and country. I am willing to establish a relationship so I will be accountable to the financial assistance you will be graciously extending to me. I am more than willing to send a personal updates on how I am paying off my debts, my journey in my master program at Seoul National University, my vision for leadership and social protection and development in my country, among others. Should you have further questions, you can reach me at 639175850079, [email protected]and/ or skype- Markedchaser. I am more than willing to give clarification so you would have a better context on the financial support you are extending and properly monitor how these shall be paid off. I am willing to fully account and document the payment of my debts I have incurred to the following- (1) Government Social Insurance System, (2) EastWest Bank, (3) Personal Loan to my cousin, (4) Social Security System, (5) Home Mutual Development Fund, (6) balances for my tuition fees at my Doctor in Public Administration and for my niece and nephew, (7) and others. As I pay them off, I would like to give an update for transparency and accountability.

Let me be a fertile soil. Help me to be set freed from my financial obligations. Plant a seed capital, so I can focus on what is important and necessary in my life- being more focused on bringing change to my family, society and country.

Thank you and may God continually bless you.