In a poor family, every member’s desire to get out of the situation counts.

For the Cabangon Family of Brgy.Taguin in Macalelon, Quezon Province, it is through every member’s hard work that they’ll be able to achieve the good life they all are dreaming to have.

Melanie, a mother of five, is thankful that the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, which they are a beneficiary of since 2010, did not just give them financial assistance. It also provided them the greatest lesson for improving their family—thatis to work together even in the simplest of things.

Strengthened commitment

Melanie shares the struggles of raising a big family, especially that she and her husband are determined to help them succeed through sending them to school. Her husband’s income as a utility worker in Quezon City is not sufficient even for their daily needs.

“Napakalaking tulong para sa tulad naming gustong tumawid sa kahirapan ang Pantawid. Sa pagiging benepisyaryo namin, nakapaglalaan kami para sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan, pag-aaral at pangkalusugan,” Melanie shared.

Besides the cash grants, she is more gratefulthat the program renewed her commitment to change their lives for the better.

“Dapat pala sabayan namin ng pagsisikap ang tulong naibinibigay ng gobyerno para maiangat namin ang aming buhay,” she shared with pride.

With this, Melanie started doing her share for the family, especially the children.

“Natuto akong gawaing panlalaki katulad ng pagpapaupa sa gawain sa bukid para kumita para sa pamilya.Nagtatanim na rin ako ng iba’tibang gulay sa aming bakuran naibinebenta at pinagkukunan ng ulam. Nag-aalaga na rin kami ng baboy at iba pang mgahayop,” Melanie said.

According to Melanie, this commitment to improve their life is strengthened through the lessons she learns from her monthly attendance to the Family Development Sessions (FDS).

The FDS is a component of the Pantawid Pamilya program that serves as venue for teaching parent-grantees on various topics such as strengthening marital relationships, child-rearing, budget management and disaster preparedness.

It is through the FDS that Melanie learned how to budget what little income they have. She shared that proper budgeting is a big help for a poor family like them as this allowed her family to save money to support their other needs and even invest on expanding their livelihood (planting vegetables and hog raising).

Family’s teamwork

“Ang pag-angat pala ng buhay ay dapat pinagkakaisahan ng buong pamilya.  Dito kami namulat na dapat magtulong-tulong kami para makatawid sa kahirapan. Kapag walang pasok, tumutulong ang mga anak ko sa pagtatanim para kumita ng pera,” she proudly shared.

More than this, Melanie is proud of how all her children believe that education will be their key out of poverty. As a mother, she is glad seeing all her children determined to go to school daily despite struggles in their finances.

Her three children are already high school graduates; two are taking up vocational courses today. The other is taking upa bachelor’s degree in Arts Studies in the University of the Philippines-Diliman. The two youngest are still in elementary and are being supported by the Pantawid Pamilya program.

“Proud ako sa mga anak ko dahil talagang nagsisikap sila para makapagtapos ng pag-aaral. ‘Yung isa ko ngang nag-aaral ng vocational course, naglalakad lang mula sa bahay nila papunta sa kanilang school sa Quezon City para makatipid sa pamasahe,” she shared.

For Melanie, there is no greater satisfaction than seeing her children get their diplomas and get stable jobs to make their lives better. She and her husband can only promise them to continuously work hard to support their needs.

As she imagines the future, Melanie is certain that it will be a lot sweeter, especially that each member is making a big effort now to make their dream a reality.(with reports from LLCortez)***