Education Is Key to Future Opportunities

Contributed By From the Church News

  • 25 April 2013

This young man from Santo Domingo is just one of thousands of individuals to participate in the Perpetual Education Fund.   Photo ©IRI.

“I don’t know what words to use to express my appreciation to the people who are responsible for making my PEF loan possible.” —Antonio Jayme Gordevilla Jr., PEF participant

Many people in countries around the world are realizing their hopes and dreams of gaining an education through the Church’s Perpetual Education Fund.

In a news conference on February 4, 2008, President Thomas S. Monson said of the program: “Today’s world is competitive, more than it’s ever been. I believe men and women need to get a type of education which will enable them to meet the exigencies of life. … Men and women need to be prepared for a vastly broader scope than we’ve ever had before. … [The Perpetual Education Fund] is a fund that will go far into the future.”

Antonio Jayme Gordevilla Jr., from the Handumanan 1st Ward, Bacolod Philippines South Stake, shares his experience:

“The Perpetual Education Fund is really an inspired program of the Church. After my mission, I got married in the temple with my lovely childhood sweetheart. From then on, I tried to pursue my college degree while we reared our children. In spite of my being a registered master electrician and master plumber, my small business struggled. I tried to save whatever money I could, but I had barely enough to enroll for just half of the required courses every semester.

“One of the most painful moments—one I cannot forget—was when I was not getting enough business and had to borrow some money to pay my tuition. One day I stood in line to pay the cashier for tuition, knowing that my wife told me before I left home that morning that we were running out of milk for our third baby and food for dinner. With tears in my eyes, I turned back without paying tuition and went on my way home.

“I learned about the PEF from the local LDS employment resource center. Unfortunately, because I was over the age limit, I did not qualify for a PEF loan. I applied again and was surprised that it was approved. At age 41, I graduated from the University of San Jose-Recoletos with a degree in civil engineering. The knowledge I gained with my education is a key that has unlocked a lot of opportunities.

“I don’t know what words to use to express my appreciation to the people who are responsible for making my PEF loan possible.”

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