The Biography of an OFW Youth

                

Frances Joy L. Balani
(18th Birthday Celebration (2020))

                   Frances Joy Libao Balani was born on January 2, 2003, in Quezon City, Philippines. Her family moved to Doha, Qatar due to work. She graduated from primary and elementary education at the Philippine International School-Qatar. She is currently, is residing in  Doha, Qatar along with her siblings and both of her parents, Jocelyn Balani and Frankie Balani. She is also currently a Humanities and Social Sciences student at the Philippine International School-Qatar.

                    As her parents moved to Qatar ahead of her and being left by her parents in the Philippines she was raised by her grandparents. And this had a significant contribution to her childhood, as her love and relationship with her grandparents grew as it made her realize that their love for her made them commit to sacrifices that she would not have done to anyone, it also made her looked up on how her grandparents foster her despite their old age. Another significant childhood memory that she had is when she already moved to Qatar to live with her parents, wherein she started schooling at Philippine International School-Qatar.

                In 2015, she met Samantha Facun. It is no secret that she will be her absolute best friend, but it was all because she made not only her childhood better, but she also changed it for the better. As she had influenced her to develop a love for reading. And in 2018, she served as her backbone as she supported her just as much as she supported her. And in 2020, Samantha encouraged her to take as many chances as she can in her non-academics and which taught her to persevere even through difficulties, and it is something that she would forever be thankful for. Frances as a student tries her best to not get taken over by the negative things that are happening around her and giving her best in all the things she does. She also gives most of her time to the club or organization she joins in so that every member feels that they are being listened to and that they are always guided.          

                Growing up all of these events made her more responsible for herself. It taught her that she should be more aware and mindful of what’s happening around her and it also made her push herself to be “a responsible student” that everyone sees about her. She currently has a hobby in reading and writing, she also singing whenever she feels like it.

“Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.”

– Samuel Johnson