– Struggles in life and a determination to succeed-
“Wala kaming magawa kundi umutang sa mga kakilala nami upang matustusan lang ang pag-aaral ng aking mga anak…”
This was the struggle of couple Mary Ann and Melecio Endong. Providing for the needs of their three (3) children, being a housewife and a farm laborer could not pay enough for their daily sustenance. Melecio engaged in Farm Labor works through a per day basis on a seasonal and on-call basis only. They also engaged in small “itikan” productions for food consumption and additional income. When the children entered elementary and high school, the demands and needs were growing. That is why they also suffered from the financial crisis and engaged in borrowing money from relatives and friends just to make ends meet.
Despite these financial challenges, Mary and Melecio are determined to break this cycle of poverty hoping that their children will graduate from college.
Melecio verbalized, “Pangarap ko talaga na makapagtapos ang aking mga anak ng pag-aaral dahil hindi yan naabot naming mag-asawa …”
The Endong family lives in MacArthur Leyte. Melecio works as a farm laborer on leased land, while his wife Mary Ann runs a small piggery and is skilled at dressmaking. They have three children: Mark Millan, Marvin and Mary Joy.
The family’s modest way of life before becoming program beneficiaries was based on labor and part-time work by both Mary Ann and Melecio. Melecio employed in Farm Labor works on a per-day basis, seasonal and on-call only. They also engaged in small-scale “itikan” production for food consumption and added cash. When the children entered elementary and high school, the demands and requirements were expanding, so they had a financial problem and engaged in borrowing money from relatives and friends just to survive.
They also seldom participate in any community activities as they focus more on earning an income for the needs of the family.
-A manifestation of success through the help of Pantawid Pamilya Program-
But a lot of changes happened in the family being a Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary in the year 2011. Melecio is not just doing farm labor on a daily basis anymore, but also as a farmer on tenanted land. They also operate a small piggery that provides food and income.
Mary Ann, on the other hand, became involved in the community; she is a member of the LIDAROMA Farmer’s Association, which provides financial help and technical skills for novel farming practices in order to boost farming activities.
Mary Ann is also proficient in dressmaking, having received the Skills Training Program for Dressmaking through the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). She received cash assistance and a sewing machine, which allows her to earn extra money when there is a sewing request. She also was employed in Handicapped Foundation as a cook for 6 months in the year 2014 after the Super typhoon Yolanda hit the region.
As a matter of fact, May Ann is a Pantawid Parent Leader and applied the insights learned after the family development sessions. “Iba talaga ang Family Development Sessions dahil naiaangat mo ang sarili at pamilya mo mula sa kulang sa kaalaman hanggang sa puno ng kaalaman. Nabubusog ang utak mo ng kaalaman tungkol sa tamang daan sa pagpapalaki ng pamilya mo.”
The couple intended to break the cycle of poverty in their family by investing in their children’s education.
“Pangarap ko talaga na makapagtapos ang aking mga anak ng pag-aaral dahil hindi ‘yan naabot naming mag-asawa at ito ang makakaputol ng kahirapan ng aming mga anak”.
And this aspiration has been finally realized. Mark Millan graduated with a degree in Accountancy and is currently working in the DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS Program. Marvin is a graduate of Criminology. Meanwhile, Mary Joy, the youngest child, is a graduating student of Agribusiness.
What they have now is a manifestation of hard work and perseverance and an appropriate utilization of government assistance. The family exited from the program after attaining Self-Sufficiency level of Well-being.
“Malaki ang aming pasasalamat na kami ay naging Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary. Hindi namin kinakahiya na naging 4Ps [beneficiary’] kami dahil kami ay laking mahirap lamang at nagsumikap na makaahon sa kahirapan. Maraming salamat at dumating sa buhay namin ang ganitong programa ng gobyerno.”, stated by Mary Ann.
It is indeed a celebration of success.
credits: DSWD 4Ps ML Wilson Ruña/MOO MacArthur]