There was an air of anticipation and excitement at the Real LIFE Graduation Scholars’ Banquet held on April 11.

The students—some about to enter college, others about to enter the corporate world—excitedly shared stories with their co-scholars, take photos at the onstage photobooth, and spend time with their parents.

It was a great opportunity for Real LIFE’s twenty-eight high school and university graduates to celebrate an important milestone in their lives. In spite of personal odds, these young men and women were able to finish school and also be examples of leadership, integrity, faith, and excellence among their peers.

The scholars heard various testimonies shared by their fellow graduates and from Raquel Bag-o, a Real LIFE alumna. One common theme in these stories was the hope that they had in Christ, and how Jesus helped each of them overcome their struggles and difficulties.

Eric, one of Real LIFE’s university graduates from Bacolod City, shared his testimony onstage. Eric was part of a government scholarship for the first two years of his college education when it was suddenly cut short. He felt that he lost all hope in finishing his studies, when an opportunity to be part of the Real LIFE Foundation was presented to him. “Being part of Real LIFE is the greatest gift (I received) from God,” he shares. “It taught me to value my family, my church, and the people around me.”

What was the most important lesson he learned while being part of Real LIFE? “I was taught to be a leader.” Eric was able to exercise his leadership skills particularly in leading young men like himself to a relationship with Jesus. He currently leads a Victory group in Victory Bacolod, and one of his group members is also a Real LIFE scholar.

Ultimately, Eric learned about LIFE: leadership, integrity, faith, and excellence. Because of his learnings, “Jesus became in the center of my heart.” Truly, Jesus is the best example we can emulate in our lives!

Eric’s story is just one of many that highlight the vision of the Real LIFE Foundation. Not only about sending underprivileged young men and women to school, the Real LIFE Foundation is also about transforming lives and empowering dreams. As the most recent class of Real LIFE graduates, along with their parents, left the banquet full of hope and expectation for the future, we are expectant that each of them would be God’s light to their campuses as well as their workplaces. And we are confident that, being fully equipped, they would also be encouragement to others who are going through the same trials they once did.

Through your prayers for, help and support of Real LIFE, these men and women are given a bright hope and future. They are equipped in their character, given opportunities to exercise what they’ve learned, and have a vision for their future.

To know more about Real LIFE, please visit http://igivetolife.com or call 8171212 local 338.

Check out photos from the graduation banquet here: