Matag-ob, Leyte – Eufracia Calvez,  64, is an extraordinary woman in her senior years.  After the big blow of Typhoon Yolanda on her life,  she continues battling for survival no matter what it takes.

Eufracia and her husband, Santiago, also 64, a caretaker of a coconut and rice farm, live with their three children and two grandchildren.

Though suffering from arthritis and has a little difficulty moving about,  Eufracia volunteered to take part in the Cash-for-Work (CFW) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).  Since her husband returned to his normal work in the farm,  she represented the family in the program.

As a CWF beneficiary,  Eufracia, who is used to heavy work in the farm, helped cultivate a one-hectare hilly lot for communal vegetable gardening. She gets P260 per day for five days.

Ricky Udtuhan, the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer, said that Eufracia will have another five days of work under the program.  This would mean getting P2,600 for ten days.

Udtuhan said that DSWD has alloted P10 million for the CFW project in the 21 barangays of this town. In Eufracia’s barangay alone, P733,200 was set aside for the 282 CFW beneficiaries.

From 8:00 am  until  4:30 pm, Eufracia reports to work .  Together with nine others, they till on two plots that are planted with okra and string beans. She does not complain of her current state.  After all, her mind is stronger than what her body can take.# ##