Meet Angelo. When his sister became sick with leukemia, he was desperate to find a job that would cover medical bills. He is the 6th of 7 siblings, but even as one of the youngest he had a big role to play. When he saw four of his siblings leave for Manila to find work, Angelo knew he would soon follow in their footsteps. He had just completed high school when he decided to leave for Manila. His whole family worked together to provide for one another, but their sister tragically passed away from sickness leaving them devastated. Angelo was filled with sadness for his family, and his work in Manila was taking a toll on his own body.
He carried the weight of stress and harsh physical work conditions. His friends and family told him to slow down and care for himself, but he was determined to keep going. Life in Manila was challenging; there were always transportation, food, and housing bills to pay and Angelo was sad not to be near his parents. Eventually, his work caught up to him and he injured his foot. It was severely swollen and needed treatment. He was forced to leave his job and return home. He did not know it at the time, but it was exactly what he needed.
Angelo wanted to continue working, but did not know what his options were. He did not give up on his hope for a good future for his family. That was when Angelo heard about Dignity.
He was initially hesitant to apply, thinking that his education would set him back. Still, he was hopeful. Now that he is working at Dignity, Angelo's life has taken a turn for the better. He now had the means to support his family, providing them with financial assistance. At the same time, he is happy that he is learning a lot from Dignity and that work does not take a huge physical toll on him. He is only 23 years old, but he has found his passion and does not plan on leaving home again. His heart is here and he works hard to keep investing in his community.
