From Partnership to Progress: The Impact of EAP at NDKC

My institution, Notre Dame of Kidapawan College (NDKC), has spent 40 years striving to keep education relevant for the “last, the least, and the lost.” As a small private Catholic community college, survival has always meant balancing stable enrollment with financial sustainability, while keeping education inclusive and accessible. Community service was strong, but academic support for underserved students remained limited. This is where my story with the Assisi Development Foundation begins.

In 2009, through the late Br. Robert McGovern, FMS, NDKC partnered with the Assisi Development Foundation’s Educational Assistance and Scholarship Program (ADFEASP). It began with only a handful of high school and college scholars. Early challenges in implementation were overcome, and by 2012, with the support of Program Manager Ms. Jacqueline Dee, I was appointed Focal Person. Her emphasis on simplicity and authenticity became the standard for our grantees.

The program shifted from the High School Guidance Office to Community Extension Services to better integrate value formation and livelihood promotion. Regular monitoring and collaboration with co-implementers across Mindanao strengthened the program, building transparency, accountability, and holistic development. High expectations were set for both scholars and parents, and though demanding, these standards proved to be blessings.

The results speak for themselves. From two alumni in 2014–2015, the number grew to 37 in just six years (2016–2021). These graduates balanced academic excellence with community service, often earning Latin Honors and awards. Many passed licensure exams and quickly secured jobs, becoming leaders in their workplaces, churches, and communities. A second wave (2021–2024) added 31 more alumni, though with lower retention due to inclusivity policies and challenges from earthquakes and the pandemic. Still, the program’s compassion—supporting survivors of domestic violence, teenage pregnancies, students from broken families, and Indigenous Peoples—revealed the silent but powerful presence of mercy at its core.

The program’s “pay-it-forward” principle, requiring volunteer service, has been challenging. Many graduates prioritized supporting their families and preparing for board exams over continued community service. Yet during their years as grantees, they engaged in literacy work, outreach, and value formation, leaving a meaningful impact. I believe that even if alumni cannot always give back formally, they will carry Assisi’s spirit of service into their own lives in small but sincere ways.

The impact of ADF-EASP is best seen in the lives of alumni like Aurea Puyos, who now serves NDKC while pursuing a PhD; the Orquiza siblings, who supported one another through college despite poverty and now thrive in their professions; Melody Santos, whose leadership and MBA have propelled her into public service; and Shiela Marie Mercuelo, a teacher and coordinator who faithfully supports her family while serving her community. These stories embody the transformative power of Assisi’s partnership.

To the Assisi Development Foundation: thank you for trusting NDKC as a partner. You have inspired our community to serve with compassion and mercy, not only for our students but for the wider community as well. On a personal note, I remain committed to supporting your advocacies in any way I can. Congratulations on your 50th year of service. May God bless you as you continue to bring hope to the least, the lost, and the last.

Erlinda Hayag Padua,Focal Person, Notre Dame of Kidapawan College, Kidapawan, North Cotabato