ACCORDING to a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization report, the pandemic affected a staggering 24 million learners worldwide, from preschoolers to university, and were at risk of not returning to school.

College students faced the highest risk, with the steep costs of higher education proving to be a barrier for many.

While the pandemic threatened to derail the futures of millions of learners, SM Group's social good arm, the SM Foundation, continued believing in education's capacity to uplift students from vulnerable communities, including Davao-based SM scholar Cyra Jimenez.

"To be an accountant has always been a dream of mine since I was still in my elementary years. It was driven by my passion for mathematics because I enjoy solving problems and doing calculations. Accounting was an easy decision because it's something I've always been passionate about," she shared why numbers have always brought joy to her.

While eager to pursue accountancy, her family was one of the millions affected by the pandemic. She was confronted with uncertainties that threatened to derail her academic aspirations.

The scholarship, she said, "has made a big difference" by providing relief for her parents while motivating her to work harder and stay focused on her goals.

With a few years left in college, the young woman looks back at her path, seeing it as one defined by personal growth.

"Receiving the SM scholarship has taught me a sense of gratitude and responsibility. It has enabled me to pursue my academic passions without the burden of financial constraints, allowing me to fully immerse myself in my studies and focus on developing valuable skills which I can also use for the future," she added.