Unfolding the Aftermath of Mining Activities in Surigao del Sur

“Surigao del Sur our land and our home 
     Constant source of light and of love 
     In the warmth of your bosoms 
     Our dreams to you we share 
     Golden land of the strong and the free. “ 

 

Provincial Capitol of Surigao del Sur in Tandag City. Photo Retrieved from Official website of Surigao del Sur

Ten years had passed when I first sung the Surigao del Sur Hymn. It was when I am on my first grade when I was first taught by my mother how to pronounce and sing each word for an oral recitation purpose. But now, each moment I sing the Surigao hymn is a feeling of being a proud Surigaonon citizen. That is why, when I went to Cebu spending my days for my college education, I admit the great differences of being at home than being in a place where you are considered to be the stranger. I can say there is really no place like home. I still choose to live simpler in a place where I grew up and had experienced my first-time-experiences. Even if I’ll have the chance to roam around the globe, nothing can ever replace my province. I’ll still opt to live and die in my province where I can call home, my dearest Surigao del Sur.

History of Surigao del Sur

 

Map of Surigao del Sur. Retrieved from Official website of Surigao del Sur

According to Provincial Governor’s Office (as cited by Caraga Watch, 2014), Surigaonons came from Manobo and Mamanua. They added that Malay from Visayas came to and settle with the natives. They explained where Surigao word originated. They have said that it was because of the immigrants where Surigao acquired its name. They said Saliagao, one of the natives of the place, is the root word of Surigao, which was later pronounced into Surigao by its inhabitants.

According to Provincial Governor’s Office (as cited by Caraga Watch, 2014), Surigao was formerly extended to Agusan, including the islands east of it and the northern part of Davao. They said that time, the capital was Caraga making the Spaniards to call the people, Caragas. They said that people of Surigao del Sur were a collection of different racial types: Mandaya, Mamanua, Manobo and Mansaka. They expressed that the province of Surigao del Sur was created as the 56th Philippine province on June 19, 1960 by virtue of RA 2786 and was formally organized or separated from its mother province, Surigao del Norte, on September 18, 1960. Originally the province had 13 municipalities. But now, there were six more added making it 19. There were 17 municipalities and 2 cities with Tandag as the capital city.

Surigao as a Tourist Spot

Tinuy-an Falls, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur. Photo Retrieved from mylab0714.blogspot.com

Enchanted River, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. Retrieved from choosephilippines.com

Cagwait White  Beach, Surigao del Sur. Photo Retrieved from entravel.blogspot.com

Surigaonon or not, it is considered to be a lifetime experience to go and to enjoy the beautiful spots offered by Surigao del Sur. Swimming with the various fishes in a depth of blue water of Enchanted River in Hinatuan is a must-try experience in the province. Trying a free soothing massage by a fast current of water from the mountains of Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig City is also a nice place to go. People also never missed to go sunbathing under the heat of the sun in a humble white sand of Cagwait Beach or “little Boracay” of Surigao as others call it. Surigao del Sur is not just known for its attractive features but it is also known for its hospitable people, the Surigaonons. They welcome each tourist with a smile who came across the province. Offer foods and delicacies to every person they meet. Some known delicacies are pudding (cassava cake), salvaro, butchi and many other foods. For these, I am indeed a proud Surigaonon.

Surigao before and today

 

The moment I opened my eyes, I have known Surigao del Sur as my dear hometown. It is the only place wherein I can afford to do the best things in my life without paying too much. I can go to beach every time I wish to go swimming under the heat of the sun. The clean riverbeds and bluish oceans which are filled with various kinds of sea creatures used for food consumption are evident in the province. Large areas of mountains occupied by bulky trees with big roots responsible for absorption of water are also noticeable in my province. Also, my taste buds never missed trying the sweetness of fruits and the goodness of vegetables that are always served in the table. Various species of endemic plants and animals is also very rampant in my province. Who doesn’t want to stay and live in a place like this? Well, every one of us dreamed to grow and to stay in a place where everything is natural and organic. One of these dreamed places is the province of Surigao del Sur.

However, as the days and years passed by, changes came to alter the province. These changes which were caused by human activities had resulted to different negative outcome. People became the invaders as well as the destroyers of his own land. In the case of Surigao del Sur, different mining companies had emerged to extract the irrenewable resources of the land. They denude hectares of forests by cutting down the trees and uprooting the roots. Now, many beaches and rivers of the place are becoming polluted. There is a decrease in fish production making a lesser income for the fisher folks. People are becoming too dependent to the natural resources. They extract almost everything for another source of living. One concrete example of anthropogenic activities is mining. One known mining company in Surigao del Sur is Marc Ventures Mining Development Corporation. Now, little by little, my dear province is becoming an altered place wherein it is slowly losing its natural resources making it a bit unsustainable environment for all Surigaonons.

Mineral Resources

Mining in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur. The once fish-filled river now turned into a dead river uncapable of sustaining life. Photo retrieved from journeyingjames.com

Surigao del Sur is known to have a rich metallic and non-metallic minerals. According to Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-DENR) (as cited by Caraga Watch, 2014), it is Caraga which has the 4^th largest copper deposit, 3^rd gold deposit, 5^th nickel, and 6^th chromite deposits in the country in which province of Surigao del Sur is a part of. They expressed that Caraga has the world’s biggest iron ore deposited in the mountains of two Surigao provinces. They also said that Surigao del Sur is one of the principal gold-producing provinces. Added up by the researchers of MGB-DENR is that coal deposit can also be found in the province of Surigao del Sur. In fact, they added that the biggest reserve of coal is found in Bislig and Andap Valley Complex that covers the city of Tandag and the municipalities of Tago, San Miguel, Cagwait, Marihatag, San Agustin and Lianga in Surigao del Sur.

Metallic minerals include copper, cobalt, chromite, gold, nickel and lead zinc. Non-metallic minerals are limestone, feldspar and coal, clay diatomite/bentomite and coarse/fine aggregates. It is because of this richness that Surigao del Sur province has that resulted to various mining companies which destroys the mountains of the province. One of the corporations operating in a large scale is the Marc Ventures Mining Development Corporation located at Carrascal and Cantilan operating in an area of 49.7389 sq. kilometers on gold mining. Another is the CTP Construction and Mining Corporation, also in Carrascal, which focus on gold and nickel mining in an area of 35.64 and 48.6916 sq. kilometers, respectively. The Carac-an Development Corporation, also in Carrascal, with an area of 506.3764 sq. Kilometres.

Effects of Mining Activities to the environment and to the humanity

 

Photo courtesy to licheltechnologies.com

Photo courtesy to licheltechnologies.com

Carrascal Nickel Project of Adnama Mining Resources, Adlay, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur.  Photo courtesy to licheltechnologies.com

According to a documentary report of Reporter’s Notebook by Jiggy Manicad (2011), Mt. Hilom-hilom in Surigao del Sur is one of the remained primary forests of the country. He said it is one of those 9 forests considered to be the key biodiversity. Manicad cited that its 4,000 hectares was declared on May 2011 as a protected watershed forest reserve. However, in spite of this, massive destruction of forests is continually practiced by the people operating mining.

Mining caused a large impact to humans as well as to the ecological balance of the environment. Contamination of potable water sources, poisoning of the air, water and soil, siltation of the coastline and degradation of nearby fishing grounds, destruction of habitats and decrease of biodiversity are just some of the ill effects caused by mining. According to Plundering Natural Resources (2014), an example of destroyed environment is the mangrove forests in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur which results from siltation of mining areas.

Mangrove Forest in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur. It is now slowly destroyed by siltation from mining companies. Retrieved from newworldphil.wordpress.com

Mining also results to destructive calamities that may kill huge numbers of people. Examples of calamities are landslides and flash floods that are always experienced in the province as its lands are destroyed even more. NDRRMC (2014) said that there are twenty-six (26) reported dead in Caraga during the January 2011 flash floods that affected 76,078 families. They added that there was a great damage to agriculture amounted to Php 3 million while damage to infrastructure reached Php 72.6 million. Also roads were impassable that suspended the region’s economy as well as the provinces covered, Surigao del Sur.

Three-feet flood in Daang Maharlika in Surigao del Sur due to Typhoon Washi last 2011. This impassable road caused delays to economic production. Photo courtesy to thewatchers.com

 

Landslide on the sides of the roads in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur after Typhoon Pablo had landed. Photo Courtesy to www.lovemindanao.com

The Aftermath of Mining activities to Surigao del Sur’s economy

It has been a stereotype of many people that upon the appearance of mining industries and plantations in a province will help stop and alleviate poverty. However, Caraga region is still one of the poorest regions in the country which includes Surigao del Sur which is stated by Philippine Statistics Office (2013). They said there is an increase of underemployment from 24.1% in 2012 to 27.1%. This implies that these mining companies do not provide stable jobs for the residents.

As I visit one of the mining companies in my province, I had encountered a driver of a 10-wheeler truck. According to him, the occurrence of mining companies in their place is a big help. These mining companies provide them jobs for their source of income. However, behind this, is a bigger problem that they never thought would happen to them. Yes, mining companies provide jobs however, these are contractual basis jobs. After a contract, people become unemployed again and will look for another job to support their families’ needs.  He also said that part of his one-year contract to a mining company results to a severe lung disease. He expressed that he got hospitalized for having tuberculosis because of a much polluted air he always breathe within his workplace.  He once quoted, “Dako nga tabang ang gihatag sa mining pero mas dako nga problema ang ila gihatag sa amua.” He said that mining companies had helped their family but these brought them more serious problems.

I also had a conversation to my former high school teacher who is now a resident of Carrascal, Surigao del Sur. She claimed that mining gave benefits to the people like the building of a new integrated high school. The said companies also offer the residents a scholarship for education in college which is of big help to the parents. Because of these, residents now welcome mining. However, they are also open to a fact that mining is the major cause of poverty in their place. She said that their once river filled with fish now turned into a muddy place. During rainy days, even just for a small amount of rain their town experiences too much flood and landslides.

Mining activity takes away the rights of many people of Surigao. These companies take away their once fertile land, the small fisher folk of their livelihood and displaced thousands from their homes and farmlands.  Increasing cases of landslides and flash floods result to decrease in rice and corn production which is their source of income. Meanwhile, farmers and families loss their source of living.

Part of Surigaonon lives is poverty. Retrieved from www.asianews.it

Mining activies do play an important role in devastating the Earth. One example is the province of Surigao del Sur which remained a poor province because of these mining companies. However, we could still stop these actions if we all of us will realize that everything in this world is interconnected. Every part of environment has an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of nature.

Reference List:

Journal references

Caraga Watch. (2014). Plundering Natural Resources Violating Human Rights, 5.

Caraga Watch. (2014). Plundering Natural Resources Violating Human Rights, 12.

Online References

Philippine Statistics Office. (2013). State of Poverty in the Country. Retrieved  on December 15, 2014

Jiggy Manicad. (2011). Katas ng Mina. Retrieved on December 15, 2014 

from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG2Un59hgMA

National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council. (2014). Calamities in the Country. Retrieved on December 18, 2014

Killing their Homes is Killing Yourself

Photo courtesy: Dying Earth Retrieved from http://nosdohr.deviantart.com/art/Dying-Earth-159046036

Imagine that one day, on a bluish and greenish Earth will have no more trees for the monkeys to climb and rest on, corals for the fishes to lay their eggs on, clear and clean water for the deer to drink for, caves for the bats to sleep to,  trunks of trees for the nests of the young birds and flowers for the butterflies to pollinate to? What if all the trees are cut down, water is polluted, and air is unsafe to breathe? Will still animals survive living in our home called Earth? What if sooner or later, Earth will lose all what it takes for all the living creatures depending on it? That moment of time, will earth still be considered as the only planet in the solar system capable of sustaining life?

Definitely not, Mother Earth, as we all know, is the only celestial body in the solar system known to accommodate life. According to Census of Marine Life (2011), it is considered to be the home to over eight million species. They added that there are about 6.5 million species found on land and 2.2 million (about 25 percent of the total) dwelling in the ocean depths. In addition, the researchers of Marine Life stated that there are approximately 7.2 billion humans inhabiting it who depend upon its minerals and what its biosphere can offer. On the other hand, how can Earth continue to support life if it is experiencing suffering from all human activities which destroys all its natural resources needed for survival?

Earth experienced difficulty in maintaining its natural resources because of us. We all contribute to the destruction of the Earth. As a result, we are slowly destroying our home and most especially the homes of other living creatures, their habitat. Habitat, from Latin word habitāre, meaning to dwell (“Habitat,” n.d., para. 1).  According to Kauffman (2001), it is an ecological area that is inhabited by a particular species of animal, plant, or other type of organism. He said it is the natural environment in which an organism lives, or the physical environment that surrounds a species population. He also expressed that it includes all living and nonliving factors or conditions of the surrounding environment.

According to British Broadcasting Channel also known as BBC (2014), habitat can either be called niche, biome or territory in which it is a type of environment where plants and animals can live. Researchers of BBC explained that habitat is suited to plants and animal’s structure and adaptations which will enable them to survive. They said that habitat is dictated by the kind of plants, climate and geography. Some examples of habitats are rainforest, coral reefs, and tundra where different kind of species of plants and animals can be found (BBC).

BBC (2014) added up that habitat has three main classifications. Researchers elaborated the first one which is freshwater habitat that includes bogs, ponds, lakes, rivers and streams. In relation to their surveys, freshwater is only about 3% of Earth’s water. According to researchers of BBC, these include the water locked up in the ice caps and trapped in rocks and soil as groundwater. Another classification BBC included, is Marine habitat which is approximately 71% of the Earth’s surface covered by the oceans. However, according to them, marine habitats are considered to be the relatively poorly studied habitat and great part of it was left unexplored. Also, BBC said that the largest among the three is the terrestrial habitat. It is mainly composed of forests, grasslands, deserts and rainforests (BBC).

In the Philippines, we have terrestrial habitat as the dominant among the three. An example of terrestrial habitat is forest area which is very common in Philippine geography. According to Philippine Forest Cover (2005), Philippines has a total land area (ha) 29, 817,000. On the other hand, researchers added that the most biologically diverse and complex forest is tropical rainforest known to have a rich biodiversity. According to Utrecht Faculty of Education (2011), a vocational university in Netherlands, more than half of all the plants and animals in the world are to be found in the rainforests in which there are more than 3500 species of plants and animals living on it. Utrecht researches expressed that this kind of biodiversity is possible because of constant high temperatures and high humidity. They also added that the most temperature of tropical rainforest ranges up to 25-35 degrees Celsius which was admitted also by the researchers of Utrecht.

According to World Wildlife Organizations (2014), forests have three main roles in the environment and to all the living organisms. They (researchers) expressed these three vital roles which are to provide oxygen, food, shelter and aide in mitigating climate change. First, forests supply the oxygen needed for the plants and animals to survive. We humans are part of those oxygen-dependent organisms to the forests. Second, forests are considered home to 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity which includes different species of plants, animals and fungi, also stated in the research of WWL Organizations. Habitat also provides food for the organisms living in it where there is the presence of predator and prey. Lastly, the most crucial importance of existence of our forests which is interpreted by WWL researchers is its job of being the main attenuator or reducer of climate change as a carbon sinker. As WWL Organization explained, forests take in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Instead of freeing harmful gases in the atmosphere, they take charge of soaking it into its roots to help minimize carbon emission into the Earth’s atmosphere that will worsen the present situation.

But why habitat destruction is happening? On the other hand, it is mainly caused by enormous negative human activities. It is because hundreds and thousands of people nowadays are all depending on forests as a natural resource for their basic needs such as gathering of food and medicine (herbal and chemical), products and other forms of benefits we could get from denuding our forests.

On the contrary, people nowadays can’t see the vital roles played by habitats. In Philippines, it is because of a huge number of Filipinos who were unable to go to school. Balane (2014), ABS-CBN reporter, reported that there are 15 million Filipinos and counting who are illiterate which caused the ignorance of people in regards to environment care. 

According to World Animal Foundation (2014), habitat destruction is made through by humans. They (researchers) said that this destruction is mainly caused by illegal logging activities and mining. Mongabay (2003) expressed that illegal logging is one of the problems of the forests of Palawan. According to a representative from Palawan organization, logging is the number one contributor to forest loss in their place. She added that people there practice slash and burn clearing, cut trees and burn them to make the land suitable for farming. Researchers of Mongabay stated mining as a habitat destruction activity which is very much rampant in any part of the Philippines. In Mindanao there is Surigao, in Visayas you have Bohol and in Luzon you have Palawan in which their mountains and forests experienced this activity that destroys the habitat of many living organisms.

Surigao Port in a Mining Company
Photo Courtesy :http://www.lrcksk.org/

Mining in Bohol, Philippines
Photo Courtesy: Sun Star Cebu Retrieved from http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2014/01/05/team-review-mining-activities-321649

Mongabay (2003) also expressed the two other factors that added the destruction of habitat. One is overpopulation and second is palm-oil movement in Palawan. Growing population of Philippines really affect habitat destruction because of land conversion for human benefit purposes. Other reason also is that huge numbers of humans are competing to other organisms for their food and etc. On the other hand, DENR (as cited by Mongobay,2003) identified 185.25 hectares of oil palm cultivation in municipalities of Quezon and Rizal which was  discovered by an unknown environmentalist to be significant cause of forest loss.

Protest against palm-oil in Palawan
Photo Courtesy: https://www.rainforest-rescue.org/mailalert/973/the-philippines-stop-the-palm-oil-rush-in-palawan

In the case of the Philippines, the country is now facing serious problems in biodiversity preservation, specifically conservation of forest areas. According to Utrecht researchers, hundred years ago, Philippines is covered by a total 70% rainforests. As the years passed by, in year 2001, less than 8% of the country is covered by original tropical rainforests which is caused by unending cutting of trees and conversion of forests to industrialized areas. This is most evident in some part of Mindanao and Visayas (Utrecht). They concluded that if these practices continue, Philippines will have no more rainforest left after 15 years.

Aside from the things mentioned above, what are the ill effects and consequences of these anthropogenic activities to the animals and to the humanity as well? According to WAF, when habitats are destroyed, animals and plants living in it will have difficulty in surviving which results to extinction. Parts of these extinct animals are identified as the top most predators. For example, predators of frog are snakes. When the habitats of frogs are destroyed, frogs will no longer survive in that specific niche causing a difficulty for the snakes also to survive. It is for a fact that snakes will no longer have food to eat because of the absence of its prey, the frog. If this situation continues, frogs and snakes will face extinction. Therefore, habitat destruction is currently ranked as primary cause of species extinction worldwide. But how this extinction affects our lives?

First and for most, according to Bove (2014) plants, animals and humans varies dependently on each other as well as microorganisms, land, water, and climate to keep our entire system alive and well. She said that when one piece is removed in our ecosystem, regardless of its size, will lead to more serious problems that aren’t easy to solve.

To quote some words of the World Wildlife Fund (as cited by Bove, 2014), “When you remove one element from a fragile ecosystem, it has far reaching and long lasting effects on biodiversity.” It is because everything in this world, from the very minute organisms to the largest of all creatures of God has roles to play in maintaining the balance of nature. Each of us has functions in the world we live in. Trying to kill other’s home, is just as you’re also putting your life closer to death.

Online References

• World Animal Foundation. (2014) . Habitat Destruction . Retrieved November 20, 2014 from 
• http://www.worldanimalfoundation.net/f/HabitatDestruction.pdf

• World Wildlife Fund for Nature. (2013) . Impact of Habitat Loss on Species . Retrieved on November 20, 2014 from http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/species/problems/habitat_loss_degradation/

• Philippine Clearing House Mechanism for Biodiversity . (2009) . Forest and MOuntain Biodiversity: Overview . Retrieved on November 20, 2014 from http://www.chm.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68:forest-and-mountain-biodiversity-overview&catid=36:biodiversity-in-the-philippines&Itemid=90

• The Regents of the University of California. (2000-2014) . Habitat destruction, alteration and fragmentation . Retrieved on November 21, 2014 from http://amphibiaweb.org/declines/HabFrag.html

• World Wildlife Fund . (2014) . Overview . Retrieved on November 22, 2014 from http://www.worldwildlife.org/habitats/forest

• The Utrecht Faculty of Education . (2011) . The Philippines . Retrieved on November 22, 2014 from http://www.worldwildlife.org/habitats/forests

• Buttler, R. (1994-2006) . Philippines . Retrieved on November 21, 2014 from http://rainforests.mongabay.com/deforestation/archive/Philippines.htm

• Bove, R. (2014) . Habitat Destruction . Retrieved on November 23, 2014 from

• Balane, L. (2009) . Illiterate Filipinos now 15 million, and counting . Retrieved on November 25, 2014 from http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/09/23/09/illiterate-filipinos-now-15-million-and-counting

• Mongabay . (1999-2003) . 'Too many people': Philippine island being deforested despite extensive protections - See more at: http://news.mongabay.com/2014/1031-gfrn-panela-palawan-loses-forests.html#sthash.P1UzCVRY.dpuf

Book References

• Habitat.(n.d.). Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved 15 June 2012.

• Kauffman,J. B. and D. A. Pyke. (2001) . Range ecology, global livestock influences. In S. A. Levin (ed.), Encyclopedia of Biodiversity 5: 33-52. Academic Press, San Diego, CA.

• Abercrombie, M.; Hickman, C.J.; Johnson, M.L (1966). A Dictionary of Biology. London: Penguin Reference Books.

A Glimpse of my Essay

Hey aren't you excited of my first essay? Well, hours from now, I'll be posting it which will serve as one of our requirements in Communications 1 for this semester. And yes, believe it or not, this one's the most lengthen article I have done ever in my whole life as a student so far. I do writing before but not as long as this. As a result, I have doubts if I can accomplish this on time, and thank God he guided me through the way. Now, here's the outline of my essay and ooops start being excited!

OUTLINE OF MY EXPOSITORY ESSAY

Topic:

 Causes and Consequences of Habitat Destruction specifically Terrestrial Habitat in the Philippines

A. Introduction

1.      What is habitat? What is terrestrial habitat?

2.      Why is habitat’s existence important?

3.      Giving a concrete example of habitat’s importance to animals.

B.     Body

1.      What is habitat destruction?

2.      What are the causes of it?

3.      What are the effects and consequences of it to animals and humanity?

C.     Conclusion

1.      Giving the readers the time to reflect.

Beyond What You See

Everything in this world could not be fully understood with just a single look ,but rather best things in the world could be fully appreciated beyond what we see using our two naked eyes. Things are better if we grasp it beyond its literal meaning using one's heart and mind.

In the case of my blog title, I have "Benevolent Steward" as my official title, in which benevolent means good-natured and steward means a person appointed to supervise something.These two-word title of my blog was inspired by my Communication 1 professor who is open to all issues concerning the nature and the ecosystem we have nowadays.

To my readers, expect my blogs to be something about nature concerns containing issues and ways how to deal with it. I came up to this through my professor's views and insights.She who never missed to remind us to appreciate the beauty of nature and to treasure what God created for us.

I am looking forward for my readers to get some information in blogs that will help them in their fields and in their different perspectives. God bless!

Know Me More

October 5, 1996, in the city of Tandag, Surigao del Sur, a kicking baby girl was born. At last! the couple Pablo and Mary Claudette had their unica hija after eight years of waiting. The baby girl was named Anelu, from the combination of the names of her grandmothers. As the parents watched over her, she smiled and showed off her cute dimples on her cheeks. From that day on, she was called Dimple, as her second name.

The girl grew up as a normal and a healthy one. She had finished her kindergarten as the class Salutatorian. Though this girl was on her way to graders, she still has the height of a toddler ,but never look down this girl by her height because she has more than you know. This girl enjoyed her days spending her elementary academics. She was one of the schools writers to the press conferences held in their province and even to other regions. 

Time passed by, the girl had already finished her secondary education with flying colors. She graduated in high school and passed the entrance examination of the most prestigious university in the Philippines, UP. To add up, she also had a scholarship for her college! For her, she is the most blessed and it is God who gave all of these to her.

At present, she is taking up Bachelor of Science in Biology in UP Cebu. Aspiring and dreaming to be a Surgeon, she decided to take this course for pre-medicine reasons and of course, she loves Biology. However, UP life or being an iskalar ng bayan is not that easy. Full of pressure and stressed to the highest level. On the other hand, she has thoughts that she can survive all of those because she has been doing these not for her own self but for her family and for the country that she will be serving in the future.