Rick Stiebel/B次元官网网址 Gazette staff
Dieza Dolencio has been a source of comfort for too many Pearson College students to count during the more than 40 years she has volunteered as a host.
Dolencio B次元官网网址� or Tita B次元官网网址� as she is called by the students who have stayed with her during holidays, first began to share her Oak Bay home in 1975 with anywhere from a couple of students to up to 27 at a time for holidays and dinners.
B次元官网网址淚 just felt the kids, so far away from home, needed some good food and company and a safe place where they can stay and relax,B次元官网网址� explained the native of the Philippines who moved to Canada in 1964.
Although Dolencio has reduced the number of kids she takes under her wing following her 8oth birthday in May, she continues to do what she can, in part because of the lasting connections she has made over the years.
Three Pearson alumni who share a special bond with Dolencio honoured her for her contributions by establishing a scholarship in her name. In just a few weeks, they launched B次元官网网址淭he Legacy Project for Tita DiezaB次元官网网址� and raised enough for a one-year scholarship at the Metchosin-based United World College campus.
Alumnus Iggy Sison, a graduate in 1983, said that during his time as a student, Dolencio provided a home away from home. B次元官网网址淭ita was so much more than a host,B次元官网网址� he explained. B次元官网网址淪he always made us feel at peace and nourished us with happy company, a delicious meal and emotional support. I know she would like to see us helping others, so we created this legacy project in her honour because she exemplifies the spirit of generosity.B次元官网网址�
Dolencio said she was moved by SisonB次元官网网址檚 efforts. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 been very faithful keeping in touch all these years and I really appreciate what he has done,B次元官网网址� she noted. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 like my son, he adopted me as his Canadian mother.B次元官网网址�
To learn more about PearsonB次元官网网址檚 host family program, contact Deanna Cuthbert at dcutchbert@pearsoncollege.ca or phone 250-391-2416.
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com
