A father of four proudly sent his four daughters to university, all on a humble street vendor salary.

Paying for college is a huge stressor for most parents. In some countries where post-secondary education is very expensive, college tuition leads to student loans that people take decades to pay off. One hardworking man, however, was able to put four of his children through college as a fishball vendor. 

Humble beginnings

Girlie Versoza, who shared the story of her amazing father on Facebook, is the last of four siblings who were able to attend college thanks to her hard work. She explained that growing up, she and her siblings were made fun of because of her father’s job and the family’s poverty. Kids did not want to be friends with the family because they didn’t see them as equals. They even told Girlie they didn’t want to come play at her house because it smelled like trash. The attitudes of the other children really hurt Girlie’s feelings, but her father told her to stay strong and be kind to others. Because of her father’s sage advice, Girlie ignored the naysayers.

Lending a helping hand

Girlie was eventually able to make friends who made her childhood more bearable, and eventually the kids were able to help their father at his fishball stand. The siblings would work at the stand with their father whenever they were available, accompanying him to concerts, fairs, and pageants. Eventually, they earned enough money to put all of the kids through school.

Daughter, you don’t have to be ashamed of yourself. Don’t force yourself to befriend others, just be kind.”

-Girlie’s father

More than just education

Girlie’s father’s fishball stand did more than just earn enough to put his children through school. Working all together instilled a strong work ethic in the children, and it also helped them bond with one another! There is no shame in hard and humble work, and this type of family business is something to aspire to.

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Hard work pays off
“Luck is great, but most of life is hard work.” — Iain Duncan Smith