Romnick Blanco’s story is proof that with hard work and perseverance, dreams do come true.
The son of a vegetable and fruit farmer, Romnick did not allow poverty to hinder him from achieving his dreams. This year, he got accepted to one of the most prestigious universities in the world - Harvard.
The soon-to-be Ivy league student came from the foothills of Sierra Madre Mountains. According to GreenEarth Heritage Foundation, Romnick started English and computer-literacy lessons in January of 2011 as their beneficiary. He also took Bible lessons. Romnick needed to brave a bridgeless river to attend his classes. Despite the difficulties, he did not give up on his education.
Through the mentorship he received from the foundation, Romnick qualified for a scholarship at International School of Manila (ISM) in 2012 and started schooling there.
Five years later, he graduated from ISM and was offered four scholarships for his college education —Harvard College, the King Scholarship of Dartmouth College, the Freeman-Asian Scholarship of Wesleyan University and New York University-Abu Dhabi. Romnick chose Harvard.
“This is an honor and momentous occasion for us all who have been bound together by our mission/ vision. The Lord has lifted up the entire rural poor community that we serve at GreenEarth, of which Rom is a part of. With Rom’s enormous blessings, the Lord has shown us a mere glimpse of what He has in store for our people at GreenEarth ahead. The best is yet to come!” GreenEarth wrote on its website.
Check out Romnick’s journey so far in photos: