Guiuan, Eastern Samar – November 8, 2013 is a day Melojane Zulieta would not want to go back to. On that day, Typhoon Yolanda took away her husband who should have been her partner as she starts all over again after the typhoon.
Recalling that fateful day, Melojane said that Ermelindo was at home to get their remaining things and secure their house before joining them in the nearby evacuation center. The wind was already blowing so hard then and the rain was at its heaviest.
He was rushing to reach the evacuation center when a plea from his neighbor caught his attention. It was a cry for help from a little boy. Ermelindo hurried to the boy, but before he could save him, a galvanized iron sheet blown by strong winds raged towards him.
Ermelindo died while trying to save a little boy leaving behind Melojane and their six children, three of whom are already married.
“Hanggang ngayon mahirap pa ring tanggapin ang pagkamatay ng asawa ko. Napakasakit isipin na wala na siya. Napakahirap (I still can’t believe that my husband is already dead. Until now, it pains me a lot),” Melojane said.
The family is crippled without their patriarch, but Melojane believes that she has to take the lead to move on.
Together with her three younger children, they are trying to start life again at the Tent City located on the grounds of the Eastern Samar State University.
For them, life may not be normal yet but, at least, they are doing better now. With all the help and assistance they continue to receive from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other humanitarian organizations, somehow, they are beginning to rebuild their lives.
Now, she takes care of her grandsons while her older children work as vendors and carpenters.
During her spare time, she chats with her neighbors and exchanges stories of hope and survival.
She is also thankful that her family is a beneficiary of the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program.
Pantawid Pamilya provides cash grants of as much as P1,400 to qualified households provided that they send their children to school and health centers, and attend the monthly Family Development Session (FDS).
Melojane also has high hopes that with the program, his youngest, Kim, will be able to finish his studies. The thought of her child going to school motivates Melojane to be stronger.
As early as now, she has already prepared Kim for the school classes in June.
She said that Kim’s going to school is a step closer to realizing her and Ermelindo’s dream to give an education to even just one their children. ###