What she considered remarkable about the students at ERDA TECH was that, despite their deprived backgrounds, not a single one of them ever lied to her.

She has also been witness to the gradual unfolding of their lives, as they changed from gawky, insecure first-years to confident young people who could dare to dream big. That she had contributed in some way to their becoming has been a source of satisfaction and encouragement to her. Many a time when she went home from school feeling overly tired and spent, she felt exhilarated at the same time, leading her to label this feeling of exhaustion as a ‘tiresome fulfillment’.  

Former ERDA TECH teachers who return for a visit express gratitude for their ERDA TECH experience and, in particular, for the mentoring they received from her which made them better persons. Parents of ERDA TECH students likewise speak of their trusting collaboration with her in raising a generation of hope-filled youth in their communities.

Mrs. Marzan can justly feel proud of what ERDA TECH has become through the years. And so, while leaving is usually difficult, she feels differently, because she herself knows she has done her job well. She is confident that, under the new leadership, the school will be taking great strides as it continues in its mission to serve the poor.

As she prepares to leave, she lets drop a useful reminder to the school’s teachers and staff: “Keep your hearts and minds open to the situation of each student. Once you take students in, do everything in your power to make sure they finish their education, and do your best to help form them into better individuals.”   

The ERDA TECH school community thanks Mrs. Marzan for her example of ‘service with a passion’. The school has been so much richer for her having shared her wise and gentle ways with everyone who came her way at ERDA TECH.