In a United Nations event where panelists are heads of state and influential leaders, Pinoy high school graduate Donnady Lao (2nd from left) surprisingly grabs the spotlight and the respect of many with her simple dreams and little battles.

Not once in her simple life in the province of northern Samar did high school senior Donnady Coquila Lao imagine she would ride a plane, travel to New York City, much more speak before an important gathering of state leaders and influential personalities.

But yes she did, and yes, she even made quite an impression with her speeches as one of the youngest delegates at the recent 54th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) in New York.

Fifteen-year-old Donnady, a farmer’s daughter, represented Plan Philippines, an NGO that caters to children in need, and touched the hearts of the audience with her story and effort to help her fellow youth in her hometown in Lope de Vega.

The UNCSW discussed ways to implement the provisions of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA), adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995, which addresses issues such as gender equality and the rights of women and children, particularly in poor countries.

Donnady shyly shared the stage with fellow panelists and participants that included UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon; Queen Rania of Jordan; broadcast journalist Katie Couric, Finland Minister of Gender Equality Affairs Stephen Wallin; former President of Ireland Mary Robinson; Charlotte Bunch, founding director and senior scholar at the Women’s Global Leadership and Rutgers University; and Audun Lysbakken, Norwegian Minister of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion.

They all raved about Donnady’s powerful voice, and her relevant message.

THE CYCLE OF POVERTY

Donnady was taken to this global stage by a simple essay on the global economic crisis which she wrote.

Corazon Obra, area supervisor of the Northern Samar Program Unit of Plan Philippines says Donnady’s one-page essay was chosen among many written by students from various public schools because it was very clear, concise, and meaningful.

“Bago kami magsulat ng essay sinabi sa amin na may chance daw kaming makapunta ng ibang bansa pag napili yung essay, kabilang na ang New York, USA. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘maniwala ka sa Plan! Iniisip ko na hindi totoo yun at panaginip lang na magsusulat ka ng essay tapos makakaalis ka na papunta ng ibang bansa,” reveals Donnady, also the editor-in-chief of Lope de Vega National High School publication.

In that essay, Donnady wrote about the cycle of poverty that girls go through in her place. Such cycle begins in childhood and continues until the girls get married and have children.

“Pag may economic crisis, mahirap mapalaki yung bata. Una yung health niya mahirap ma-provide, tapos education. Pag walang education, mag-iisip na yung bata kung pano siya mamuhay. Yung mga inosenteng babae pag walang education habang lumalaki naiisip nilang kumita ng pera through prostitution, by going to Manila to work as housekeepers or storekeepers. Tapos pangatlong stage, pagiging wife. Pag hindi ka educated yung mga anak mo, magiging tulad mo rin. The cycle of poverty continues to be passed on from generation to generation,” Donnady explains.

TRANSFORMATION

What was surprising though, according to Lydia Domingo, gender adviser of Plan Philippines, was that this shy, soft-spoken youth leader has transformed into a confident and powerful speaker at engagements which most often required her to deliver impromptu speeches. She has that “Pacquaio magic” which wowed her audience, describes Domingo.

Among the events where Donnady was a panelist/ speaker were the Universal Day of the Girl, a Plan International side event; UNICEF side event dubbed “Making Women Remember Girls,” and the UN reception where panelists tackled how additional resources being allocated by the UN Foundation for adolescent girls can impact on them.

The youngest in a brood of five, Donnady comes from a poor family that survives on the meager income of her father, a farmer and a barangay official.

Since the death of her two siblings, Donnady’s father has become protective of her because she is asthmatic. But despite her condition which often gets in the way of her studies, Donnady has been a consistent honor student and graduated valedictorian in elementary. In high school, she joined many interschool and regional contests on essay writing and math, giving pride and honor to the remote school which once topped the National Achievement Test (NAT) in 2007.

PEERLESS

Donnady is also active in school as secretary of the school’s Supreme Student Government (SSG) and a peer counselor and mentor. She gives tutorial lessons to fellow students, or serves as substitute teacher. She also counsels her colleagues on family problems and on pursuing their goals. On top of these, she regularly writes in her school paper about global issues and enjoins the youth to be proactive.

“Pinaka problema sa lugar namin yung kawalan ng interes ng mga estudyante na mag-aral. Kahit pa sabihin ng mga parents nila, madalas napipilitan lang sila at hindi sineseryoso ang pag-aaral. Nag-aaral lang sila kasi uso. In my own way, sinusubok kong mabago ito, sa pagsusulat at counseling. Kahit 10 lang sa 50 na classmates ko na mabago ang isip, isang accomplishment na para sa akin yun,” discloses Donnady.

LESSONS FROM NEW YORK

Donnady dreams of becoming a nurse someday. She has applied for a college scholarship at the Department of Science and Technology just so she can finish college.

“Pangarap ko hindi lang basta makatapos sa pag-aaral, kundi matuto. Kasi puwedeng makatapos ka pero wala ka pa ring natutunan. Sayang lang ang pag-aaral mo. Gusto ko ma-gain yung knowledge na dapat kong makuha. Sa family ko, gusto kong matulungan sila sa financial needs,” relates Donnady who recently graduated at the top of her class.

She says she will always look back at her accomplishments in New York which has given her the strength and drive to face life’s problems and the future with much enthusiasm.

“Natutunan ko kung paano makisalamuha at makisama sa mga matataas na tao. Una mahirap kasi tingin ko sa sarili ko napakababa lang. Natutunan ko ding magtiwala sa kakayahan ko. I also learned how to be confident. Naging proud din ako sa sarili ko because I was able to represent my country well,” ends Donnady.