Like the grasses in their plain and uncomplicated existence, which survived the wrath of super typhoon Yolanda, they too shall thrive.

Above is a statement from the teary-eyed Flora del Monte, 42 years old, a Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program partner beneficiary of Bgry. 88 in San Jose District, Tacloban City. Flora’s family is one of the 285 household evacuees at Leyte National High School, Tacloban City.

Other than her 9 relatives who died during the onslaught of the typhoon, the 3rd among 7 of her children, Alyssa who is 16 years old, died during the typhoon.

“Alyssa did not go with us when we evacuated. She stayed with her boyfriend in the latter’s house in San Jose. I panicked. I was not able to convince her. I had to take care of the rest of her siblings,” Flora recalled as she wiped her tears away.

She said they have to live on. Tatay Nilo, her husband, has already started to look for materials so they could reconstruct their house.

The other face of poverty

Flora expressed that they are used to being poor, having nothing. So that they are determined to continue to live even after Yolanda has taken so much from the too little things they had.

They are grateful to everyone who offered help, especially to DSWD from whom they have received their first relief goods including rice and water. “If not for DSWD, we would have starved,” she expressed.

While tidying their clothes, 12-year-old Gemarie, one of her daughters, shared how she and her 2 other younger siblings enjoyed the play therapy session conducted by DSWD staff in Leyte National High School. She said, “The other children said they also lost their houses but we have fun playing and drawing.”

Their smiles, our inspiration

Kim Joseph Umlang, 10 years old, Grade 4, and a Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiary from Bgry. 36, Sabang, Tacloban City, together with other children in their temporary shelter at Kapangian Central School, shared their sweetest smiles and in a chorus, thanked DSWD for all the help they have received.

The children, whose innocence, optimism, and high spirits have not been stolen away by super typhoon Yolanda, even asked for school supplies so they could go back to writing, reading, and drawing.