“Focused Through the Lens of a Dream”
— Armand’s Story
At 16 years old, Armand David M. Cruz is already learning to see the world differently—both through education and through the lens of his camera.
A Grade 10 student and a four-year KIDS Educational Foundation grantee, Armand is the eldest among seven siblings. In a large family, responsibility comes early, and Armand embraces it with quiet maturity.
His father serves as a choir master and musical director for various church-based groups, sharing his talent in music and service. His mother, meanwhile, works as a business associate of a relative, contributing to the family’s daily needs.
Together, they do their best to support their growing family—but resources remain limited.
Through the support of the KIDS Educational Foundation, Armand has been able to continue his studies without giving up on his interests.
He carefully uses his allowance to:
- Purchase school materials
- Buy books related to his growing passion in photography
- Develop skills that allow him to express creativity and discipline
Photography, for Armand, is more than a hobby—it is a way to capture stories, emotions, and moments that matter.
While photography fuels his creativity, Armand’s long-term dream is even bigger.
He plans to pursue the STEM strand in Senior High School as preparation for entering a state university and eventually taking up Medicine.
Since childhood, Armand has held on to one goal:
To become a surgeon.
It is a dream shaped by compassion, discipline, and a desire to help others.
