A Deeper Purpose
Fondly known in BCFI as “Sir Q” or “Kuya Q”, Quirlyno Sanchez is a psychometrician dedicated to serving the children and the community that helped him find a deeper purpose in what he is doing. This geek at heart enjoys comics and video games in his spare time. Want someone to talk to about your favorite superhero or maybe get a tip in completing a game? Kuya Q is the person for you!
Tell us about yourself.
I am Quirlyno Sanchez, often known as “Sir Q” or “Kuya Q” by people here in the foundation and the community. Currently, I am the psychometrician of Bless the Children Foundation.
After passing the board examination, I tried applying for corporate jobs in hopes of scoring some experience in human resources. But maybe, it’s part of a greater plan that I got offers from NGOs instead. Landing here in 2019 has been a blessing in disguise. I am grateful to have found a deeper purpose in serving our sponsored families and communities in my hometown through BCFI. As written by one of my favorite authors, “I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.”
Can you tell us about your goals and dreams in life?
Since I was raised in the very same place where I am serving right now, my family and I have goals and dreams like anybody else here. Some of that I have already achieved like graduating in college and giving back to my family. Currently, I have this energy that whatever will come to me, whether it will be a Master’s Degree and another license, a small business, a computer that can run The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt smoothly, or the urge to just finish the books and comics that I have acquired since the lock down began, I will just go with the flow. I do have long-term goals, but because of this pandemic, I must prioritize and secure the welfare of my family first before I can do whatever I want to do.
What would you like to achieve this year?
The pandemic has halted so many plans for the children and the community, but we will not stop without doing the best that we can. This year, I aim to keep going, to keep pushing for the plans and programs that the community needs–like organizing youth leaders and forming youth groups, teaching about responsible sexual health education, and positive parenting to the parents.
But personally? I just want to finish reading all the Fantastic Four issues by Lee and Kirby, re-read 1Q84, and complete Year 1 with a Red Cabbage in Stardew Valley (not from Advanced Options!), maybe finish Bastion and Undertale along the way.
What is the hardest challenge you have encountered this past year?
One of the biggest hurdles that I have faced is how I can continue to deliver our programs and services to our sponsored families. I am used to giving face-to-face training, seminars, and activities to them. The collective problem of the community, such as not having a smartphone, weak signal connection, and illiteracy in technology also contributes to the challenge on how we can move forward amidst pandemic restrictions.
The solution that we came up with is to give support to the community, one problem at a time, while teaching them on how to adjust technologically at the same time. Better Wi-Fi connection is provided to some areas, some children also receive laptops, cellphones and tablets, pocket Wi-Fi, and other support from our various partners, webinars and virtual meetings are launched, as well as improved online messaging and remote file management.
What is your #BLESSED story with BCFI?
When a parent greets me and talks about how in the past week, their whole family started to eat together every night, or a father messages to thank me because his daughter passed the college entrance examination, or a child approaches me randomly in the street to ask me how I am today, I know that what I’m doing is worth it, and I wouldn’t have moments like this if I were somewhere else.
I am grateful to BCFI for the opportunity to help and influence the lives of our sponsored families for the better. There is no greater joy than knowing that with every seminar, from its conceptualization until the actual roll-out, these words, these lessons will come a long way. That the simplest help I can give creates a big impact and becomes a catalyst of change in their behaviors or mindsets. I learned that change doesn’t have to be grand or big to change a life–it is the combination of little acts of goodness that makes up for it.
Let us share the hope around! What is your message for everyone who will be reading this?
I just want to leave a message of Stephen Hawking (highly recommended book: The Grand Design) about life:
“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.”
Quirlyno found a deeper purpose by being part of BCFI. Have you found yours?
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Have a Blessed Day!