I am Sarah Grace Ruiz Andaya. I was born in Butuan City 16 years ago. We are five in the family. I am the eldest. I have two sisters and one brother. Joanna Mae is 14 years old and will be studying her third year high school in Agusan del Sur National High school, Jotham, he is 6 years old and will in Grade II and Naomi Shayne, 4 months old. My father, Balvino "Bhen" S. He is a full blooded tribe in Agusan del Sur. My Mother is Ma. Theresa R. Andaya.. My father is a Manobo-Banowaon Tribe. My mother is a Cebuana. I love to read books like mystery and general fiction. I am a wide reader and I like to discover things. I don't limit myself on learning new skills. I know how to play instruments like guitar and keyboard.

My family lives in Agusan del Sur but I am now staying with my grandmother in Times Beach, Matina, Davao City. My family is always transferring We lived for almost fifteen years in Zamboanga del. Last May 2009, we transferred in Agusan del sur where my father is also a tribe there. In the Manobo tribe, they are just contented of the things that happened to them. Some are being married at a very young age because they have nothing else to do. It's just a cycle. They married, have children and live. Their religion is animism. They worship big stones, little insects, monkeys, trees and etch. . Still they hope to leave this world of poverty, sickness, hunger and death.

I am very fortunate to have this scholarship because I really want to go to college and finish the course I really desire. I want to pursue in college because I want to help my relatives in the mountains where education is very poor. In the mountains, you have to travel 50 kilometers so that you can go to high school because the high school there is 50 kilometers away and only those students who really wanted to go to school will take the risks of 2 days travel in the jungle by foot because the fare is very expensive and they cannot afford it.. I am very fortunate to have this scholarship because my family cannot support fully in my college because it is expensive and I also have other brother and sister who goes to school. I also wanted to finish my course because I wanted to help the tribes in the mountain. I wanted to finish a course that will truly help me and my family. I could see the hardships the tribe has in terms of health condition. They have to travel miles just to see a doctor. It is very hard for those who cannot afford to go to hospitals and sometimes, patients die on there way due to lack of transportation. They also feel discrimination because they are IP's and some of the doctors do not entertain them. That's why I have the burden to help them. If I cannot finish my study, who else can help them? They are my relatives and I am a tribe. I wanted to be a doctor someday, a Pediatrician. Through this, I can help the tribes especially the children who cannot go to clinics and have a good medical check up. I also wanted to set as an example to my tribal relatives that even though you are a tribe, you can be successful and you can achieve your dreams if you have the determination, the desire, and the perseverance to finish what you want.

I am very much privileged to have the MCI Scholarship . I am very excited as well as a little bit nervous .