Hello Filipina Nurses. I am looking for some help here, I met a girl in Hong Kong who I intend helping by sponsoring her through nurse training in Cagayan de Oro. She is from a poor family so needs my help.
Can you tell me please how much she would need monthly for living expenses if she is away from her family who are not in Cagayan. What are the tuition fees at Xavier college?
What qualification will she need to work abroad?
I have asked her but of course would like to know from those of you who have gone through the same thing.
I understand what you mean Mrs. Promise. But what we want to point out here is that, it seems that she's abusing her sponsor's generosity. Asking for laptop and a cellphone!!!! You know what your husband felt when he was sponsored, some of us were sponsored too, we also want to point out that asking for more than what is due to you is really really bad! Your husband is not asking for extra money, etc., and that person is the exact opposite of your husband!
regarding the laptop, yes it is convenient to own a laptop with soooo much paper works especially when she reach 3rd and 4th yr. But then asking for this is already out of the line! She can do her paper works in an internet cafe' with her extra money! As much as possible, she should be resourceful enough to find ways in which she can lessen her sponsor's expenses! But look what's happening! Its the other way around!
We also clarified that figures are just estimation and living in a province would mean lesser expenses as what is stated above.
I absolutely agree with what you are pointing out here lenjoy03. :) actually, most or almost all of the post here goes to the same similar points. I like what you've shared especially your ideas of saving some pocket money too for her basic/school needs. I for one, did that...:)
In my recent posts, I am also drawing the line that her behavior is quite different compared to mine, and esp. my husband and some of us here.. including those others who have been a product of someone's goodness indirectly by stating our own personal experiences.
Since, Mr. Sponsor is coming from a different culture or background, each of us who has contributed here is giving him a scenario on which he could based where he would start or at least, have some basic idea coming from the nationals of the country itself.
I have drawn mine based on what hubby and I experienced, and I modestly hope that my input can be looked upon on the two sides of the line as well. While I am giving Mr. Sponsor his freedom to look at closely with the real situation that is happening between her and him, I am also hoping he could see the other side of the road by hearing our inputs as well.
After all has been shared, I think Mr. Sponsor could definitely tell or perhaps conclude what is right and what is not the right thing to do. Which behavior of her is proper and is questionable.
I agree, that 20,000 is tooo much... asking extended help for her family is probably nonconservative as well, more so, asking for a laptop and a cellphone.
But as you can see, I've stated that even in my own experience, I have to teach myself to be thrifty/ be wise-spender to save some money for my needs way back then, I didn't have my own computer until I was in 4th year and hubby tried to save my working part time by any means....
all of these boils down to finishing college by helping my mom(financer) vice versa as well. I didn't ask her for extras except if I really needed too.... and hubby did the same also with his sponsor.
What I'm telling is its really up to Mr. Sponsor to go all the way by giving whatever she asks or teach her early to learn proper values by setting limits as well... it'll be nice of him if he could give her what is appropriately enough and not too lavishly granting her every request. That's why knowing first hand how much is really the cost of her financial needs is really the top priority.
At the end of the tunnel, truly educating someone is not just by sending him/her to school. The character of the person has to be molded properly first so one could properly set his mind to study.
we have been always told to teach a person so he could learn to live for a lifetime not just for a day.
"Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for life."
"if you want milk, feed the goat." Nothing in life comes absolutely free. We have to earn it.
As I've said earlier to Mr. Sponsor,
if you're generous enough, you could give it to her for free, without her having to work for it or teach her so she could get a somewhat hard time getting it but in the end, she'll learn to value the lessons she will learn consequently.
Whatever it be, she should learn to respect whatever is it that is given to her. She should learn to be grateful and if she really needs extra money, there will always be a way if she is honest in her dealings. Most of us here are here today because we earned our way here and ultimately deserved it... I know Mr. Sponsor you are wise as well, and you will know the best way to handle the situation by knowing relevant infos coming from concerned people here:)
"Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for life."
Oh my! I love this line! Brings back college life helping out on the less fortunate people in Cavite! And of course, our own experience as well...
Everytime I open this thread, I really feel good! I love the people here! hehehe....
For Mr. Sponsor, regarding the confidential info you asked. I've been thinking about it for a few days now. Here's my suggestion, if you cant go the school directly, why not call the Dean or guidance counselor of the the college. Then introduce yourself as this and that. That your sponsoring a student and a strict guidance is need so you need to follow up on the student's status directly from the school. I know its informal and tell them since you can't come personally, just ask them how it can be formal. If they want you can send a letter or what. ASked them what you can do to be able to check her school status. If they agreed to give you the student's status by doing this and that..... ask them if this can be confidential. In that way, you can compare the school status from the school and the info she gives you. Then if you decide to send the tution fee of the student on the school account, ask them how you can do it. Just my suggestions....
And please do inform us here what are your final decision regarding this matter.... Hope we were able to help you... : )
You really seem so good but i think 20,000 is way way too much. When I graduated, my daily allowance was only 150 Php. I'm from Bacolod City, a small city like Cagayan de Oro so I think the cost of living would be quite alike. Food in cities like ours usually comes cheap. An average viand would cost me 30 Php + Rice which would cost 5-10Php + 10 Php soft drinks or a 15 Php iced tea. So an average lunch would cost me around 40-60 Php only. The same is true with dinner and breakfast. As I was living with my parents, it didn't cost me breakfast and dinner, only lunch and some snacks. If you can find an accommodation which is close to her school, that would save you her transportation expenses. There are dormitories and boarding houses that I'm sure are quite available even if she has to share rooms with other people, which I think is not too bad if she says she comes from a poor family. I have friends who are not really poor but doesn't mind sharing rooms with other people because as everyone knows, nursing is really an expensive course even here so one must make the most to cut expenses. Dormitories with free board and lodging would usually cost 5,000 Php and that would already include 2 meals a day. I have friends who rent a house for 8,000 - 10,000 Php per month. There would be around 5-6 of them toshare the house so it would be equally divided to them around 1,600-2000 Php. I've been to there rented apartment and I can say that it's really a nice place, a two-storey house with 2 separate bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It already has a kitchen and a laundry area.
As for the other expenses like the uniforms, well, you only have to buy uniforms at the start of each school year, say June. But there would be instances where she would have to buy the Nightingale uniform, scrub suits, etc, which would already last her a year or 2 like mine did. It's not as if she has to regularly buy one.
For the books, well, I wasn't a frequent visitor in the library. I usually buy my own books. The books I buy however are usually published here in the Philippines so doesn't really come expensive unlike the American editions of the books. The average cost of American edition books would be 3,000 Php up. My books usually range from 300 Php the least and 1,200 Php the most. Also, it's not regularly that you have to buy books like the uniform. 2-3 books per semester I think. I was able to have and collect more or less 10 books the moment I finished nursing. But I think it only cost me an average of 10,000 Php the least and 12,000 - 15,000 Php the most in all my 4 years of nursing. But I say, the library is still the best choice.
Also, I graduated just recently. Average allowance of students like me are from 100 Php to 150 Php in cities like ours. As I've told you, my allowance is only 150 Php but I was still able to save some of it despite my expenses. I can usually have a savings of 1,000 Php at the end of the month. Projects usually do come up but I guess with a course like ours, the most you would be able to spend is only 500 Php as it's not really something technical like engineering where one has to buy expensive parts of computers, etc.
Also, regarding the rich kid thing, like one of the previous replies here, well, you're there to study and not to hang out with the "rich kids."
Hmmm. What else? 20,000 Php is even more than what an average call center agent receives here in our area. The average wage of call center agents here ranges from 10,000 - 12,000 Php. 20,000 Php is already like she's having her own job with a very good position.
I hope this could help. It's not really nice being fooled around. So I think you better should take a look on all her on-goings because she might not be being completely honest with you.
Happy New Year!
i can't help it, but i need to post some of my opinions. I highy regard your passion for helping other people. I don't want to degrade people or slap my fellow sister here, but 20,000 indeed is too much! And buying her a laptop/cellphone would prove to be a cost-ineffective, unreasonable and unnecessary. I hope some women won't abuse man of good intention like you.
Thanks for all your comments. I think Lenjoy hit the nail on the head with the probinsyana thing. I don't think my girl has ever had a lot of money so having it flow in this easily has made her want to show off a bit. Maybe not show off but at least share with her relatives. That was not my intention!
I have read her the riot act and want to know just where the money goes. I've had some tears and apologies and we'll just have to see where it goes. I hope she doesn't waste this opportunity because I will just pull the plug next time.
I know what you mean Hoss about Filipinas being both Magic and dangerous. I've had one break my heart badly in the past.
I do hope and pray to guide you on all your decisions regarding this matter. Please dont be sad, you should be happy because you have touched someone's life and that really made a big difference.....
As for her, whatever her decisions are, may she realized the consequences of it all.
Most inputs offered here are sound suggestions - except for few knee-jerk reactions. Indeed the best way to check expenses, w/out sounding suspicious, is to ask a copy of the receipts. To countercheck them, you need an open line with the school and homeowner (rent).
Your friend who happens to be your beneficiary will need to put it in writing (in her enrollment form or a letter) that you are her guardian/benefactor. Thus she authorizes YOU to be updated of her school fees and grades through call or email.
Caregiver courses (I stand to be corrected tho) are vocational 6-mo. courses thus are not accredited by CHED. Your friend should decide if she wishes to pursue a nursing degree, she has to stay on track.
Re the PC, it is indeed a vital equipment for her school requirements. 2-hand units here (Cebu) cost: laptop - PhP 25T/US$ 500; desktop about 1/3 ($180); cellphones - $50. I therefore suggest you approve on the DESKTOP PC while the phone is your call or optional.
In behalf of our countrymen, we appreciate your gestures and good INTENTIONS.
Just to clear up what she is doing now. She will graduate this March as ASHE which as I understand it would qualify her to work overseas as a care giver. It also qualifies her to enter the BsN course for a further 2 yrs. This is after something called coping but I don't fully understand that.
Graduating in March with a caregiver certificate is no guarantee whatsoever of overseas employment. Caregiver courses are NOT recognized by the Commision on Higher Education (CHED) that regulates the curriculum and certification of Colleges and Universities in the Philippines. Howerver, she can be in a 2 year "Allied Health" program at an accredited University that may qualify her for her entrance into a nursing BSN program. IF That school is a CHED certified college or university, that is. Those first two years are basically heavy science, math and social studies that will give you the foundation prior to the clinical nursing programs in the 3rd, 4th and 5th year of Nursing.
There are hundreds of small caregiver schools similar to computer "training" schools that have no degree credit towards a university program. These schools are notorious for promising LVN, LPN and Caregiver students that they can earn credit towards formal degrees and get preference for overseas work. Its pure fantasy....these schools are not college level accredited!!
That said, what she must do is apply to a 4 year university with the stated intent of pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, Physical Therapy, etc. to have ANY chance of obtaining a visa to work overseas in Heal Care.
Her next opportunity to apply as a FIRST year college student will be in March/April 2008 for the School Year beginning June 2008 to March 2009. Thereafter she will have to meet the course requirements and minimum passing grade average to continue her pursuit of a degree.
Great Britain, USA, Australia and Canada as well as Saudi and Dubai will ONLY accept a graduate of BSN studies or Physical Therapy Bachelors degree from the Philippines in order to qualify as a Nurse or Therapist in their respective countries. Anything less than that literally puts them in a "domestic helper" catagory...and for that you do not need to spend 20k / month for an education that carries no future!
Unfortunately, she may indeed believe she is gaining on an opportunity to go to an accredited University after her graduation in March, but she may well be in for a huge surprise when the college simply asks for her high school transcript and grants her ZERO credits for her current studies. Its a sad fact of life that these fly by night schools take millions of pesos from unsuspecting students and promise the world in exchange!! Please advise her that you will indeed support a University education, but she must first enroll in a CHED certified College that has accepted her as a first year student.
Tinekrism, Mr. Sponsor already clarified the status of the student from his earlier post. That the student wants to continue to BSN. That means, she's now on her AHSE years.
This is after something called coping but I don't fully understand that.
To Mr. Sponsor. I dont understand it either. Some schools who have higher accreditation starts at BSN immediately. Most schools like where I studied starts at AHSE. They say that if you dont want to continue BSN, at least you have an option and you can be a care giver or something like that. But I really prefer starting it at BSN, all the early exposure to the clinical set-up is a big thing. ANyway.... That is just some of their reason why they changed the curriculum.
Just to clear up what she is doing now. She will graduate this March as ASHE which as I understand it would qualify her to work overseas as a care giver. It also qualifies her to enter the BsN course for a further 2 yrs. This is after something called coping but I don't fully understand that.
Maybe you mean 'capping'? When you finish AHSE, and decide to undergo BSN for the next two years, you get to attend the capping ceremony...a milestone in a nursing student's life...
This is after something called coping "CAPPING ceremony" but I don't fully understand that.
Capping ceremony is for 3rd yr students who are now on their BSN degree. After 2 years of studying nursing, if your qualified to proceed to BSN, that's the only time you'll experience the capping ceremony. We also have this NAT (Nursing Aptitude Test) given 1st or 2nd semester of 2nd college. Some school like where i studied used this to evaluate student and their grade if they qualify to proceed to BSN. You dont have to pay for it, its already included in the tution fees.
CApping is normally done around June-July for the first semester of 3rd yr college. It is also included in the tuition fee. This is just one of the reason why 3rd yr. life is the most expensinve year in BSN.
So that means to say, she hasn't undergone the capping ceremony yet since she's still on her AHSE years.
But not all school have this schedule, normally those with higher accrediation starts with BSN (no more AHSE) and capping ceremony is done earlier.
lenjoy03, RN
617 Posts
I understand what you mean Mrs. Promise. But what we want to point out here is that, it seems that she's abusing her sponsor's generosity. Asking for laptop and a cellphone!!!! You know what your husband felt when he was sponsored, some of us were sponsored too, we also want to point out that asking for more than what is due to you is really really bad! Your husband is not asking for extra money, etc., and that person is the exact opposite of your husband!
regarding the laptop, yes it is convenient to own a laptop with soooo much paper works especially when she reach 3rd and 4th yr. But then asking for this is already out of the line! She can do her paper works in an internet cafe' with her extra money! As much as possible, she should be resourceful enough to find ways in which she can lessen her sponsor's expenses! But look what's happening! Its the other way around!
We also clarified that figures are just estimation and living in a province would mean lesser expenses as what is stated above.
Thank you for sharing.... : )