Meet Lara Shadel Gutierrez. ANCOP Australia supported her throughout college. She was a very motivated student, graduating as a Cum Laude from the De La Salle-College of St Benilde in March 2019. She took up Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in Export Management. She now works as a Management Trainee for a major Philippine bank.

Lara came from a poor family living in the province of Nueva Ecija. After her father passed away, her mother-- the sole breadwinner, struggled financially. But ANCOP came to help, enabling her to enroll in college. She studied very hard and graduated with honors, valuing the opportunity given to her by ANCOP. Lara writes that aside from the financial help, CFC ANCOP led her to be nourished and filled spiritually through her involvement with the Youth for Christ (YFC) ministry.

She writes and thanks her Australian sponsors:

“To my sponsors,

It's been four years since my journey in college started. Until now, I still can't believe that I got the chance to study in, and graduated from, De La Salle-College of St. Benilde. It was surreal, especially graduating as a cum laude!

I have to admit that it wasn't easy. Considering that I lost the two most significant men in my life, my father and my grandfather, within those years. But with all the help and love coming from the people around me, I survived those challenges and got stronger. A "thank you" won't be enough to express how grateful I am for all the help you've given me and my family. I really hope I made you all proud. I hope and pray that someday I will be someone like you—helping students from poor families… helping them realise their dreams.

I will continue praying for all of you. I wish you good health and constant happiness.

Thank you very much, ANCOP Australia! Maraming salamat po! Mahal ko kayo!

To God be the Glory.

Sincerely,

Lara Shadel Gutierrez