Jaren Malales, a long-time participant in the Good Samaritan Study, Accompaniment and Mentoring (SAM) Program, has graduated with her Master’s in Education and is now passing on all she has learned by teaching university students.
By Debra Vermeer
Living in Bacolod on Negros Island, one of the economically poorest areas of the Philippines, Jaren was first accepted into the SAM Program in 2021.
Despite facing a number of hurdles along the way, she has now graduated with her degree from the University of St Agustin – Iloilo, majoring in Religious Education and has wasted no time in putting her degree to good use.
“At present, I am enjoying teaching at the University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos in Bacolod City as a Religious Education teacher to the college students,” Jaren said. “During my weekends, I serve the parish as the head of the catechist ministry.
“With the academic qualifications I have now, I am confident in teaching and leading others through teaching our Catholic faith.”
Jaren first applied for the SAM Program at the suggestion of Sister Donna Belle Ferrer SGS, a Good Samaritan Sister in Bacolod, and was attracted to it not only for the financial support for studies, but also for the mentoring and spiritual direction component.
Throughout her years of study and participation in the SAM Program, Sister Leonie Duenas SGS was her spiritual director and Donna was her mentor.
“Challenges at home and school gave me a little discouragement at times, but through the mentoring and accompaniment of the SAM Program, I was put on track,” she said.
“Often it would lead me to go back to my senses about the purpose of the further studies I started. Even during the busiest and most draining times, a simple pause and a conversation with Leonie during our accompaniment would refresh me and motivate me to continue my studies.”
Jaren said the pairing of the financial support with personal accompaniment was a life-changing combination. “These two things made a holistic change in my life,” she said. “Facing the challenges in class was hard, but it would be much harder without the support of the program.
“The program supported me financially and spiritually. Being a religious educator, I realise that feeding the soul is good, but feeding both body and soul is essential. The SAM Program made it possible for me to reach my dream: a professional teacher and competitive compensation to help my family.”
She said she had already begun promoting the SAM Program to her parish youth and catechists.
“I tell them that if they finish their studies, they should not stop learning, most especially about the faith, and about how beautiful the Church is,” she said.
“The role of women in the Church is important, and that is why we need to be equipped to help our Church flourish.”
SAM Program Coordinator Dr Monica Dutton said Jaren’s graduation with her Master’s degree was both a wonderful academic achievement and a sign of her determination and commitment.
She said the SAM Program’s support of Jaren throughout her studies was testament to the Sisters’ original vision for the program in helping women to further their theological education.
“The Sisters always had the vision of being able to extend the program to all the countries in which they are present in ministry, and by doing so, being able to offer accompaniment from the Sisters within the appropriate cultural context,” Monica said.
“So it was wonderful when Jaren applied and met the criteria and we’ve been delighted to have her as part of the SAM Program right through to the completion of her studies.”
Monica said that Jaren’s commitment to her studies through the years was inspirational.
“Jaren has been so focused on her studies, and despite facing hurdles which included her university being located on another island and requiring a ferry trip to get there and back, she’s pushed through and kept at it,” Monica said.
“It has been amazing to see the growth in her confidence over the years. It’s been lovely to see that develop.
“It was particularly wonderful that Jaren could come to Sydney and join us for the SAM Program’s face-to-face annual gathering, staying with the Sisters and spending time with them and with the other participants. That was special.”
Monica said the fact that Jaren was now teaching university students in Religious Education, as well as serving as a catechist for her parish, showed that the impact of her academic efforts, supported by the SAM Program, would continue to have a ripple effect on others.
“It highlights the Sisters’ foresight in offering the program and their commitment to supporting women in gaining theological education,” she said.
“Jaren is now sharing the benefit of her education with others and who knows what impact that will have?”
Jaren thanked all those who support the SAM Program in any way.
“In being a ‘Good Samaritan’ you helped women who were ‘bruised’ by a lack of financial support and knowledge,” she said.
“With the program, you helped a lot of women, by equipping them with education, to faithfully and lovingly serve the Church.”
