“Noon, hirap na hirap talaga kami sa buhay. Construction worker ang asawa ko at kumikita lamang ng PhP195 kada araw. Tatlo ang aming anak,” shared Rosielyn, 45, a resident of Brgy. Paliparan 3, Dasmariñas City in Cavite Province.
She added that their financial situation is evident in the kind of house they were providing for their children.
“Maliit ang aming bahay. Tagpi-tagpi ang dingding at butas-butas pa ang aming bubong,” she recalled.
To help with their needs, Rosielyn sold snacks and clothes in the neighborhood and engaged in making rags.
Today, however, she cannot believe how with one blessing, her family is able to get out of that kind of situation. Though she knows they are far from being rich, Rosielyn is happy and content that they no longer are at their lowest.
The blessing
In 2012, Rosielyn’s family became a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The Pantawid Pamilya invests on the health and education of children age zero to 18 through the provision of cash grants in exchange for their compliance with the set program conditions including monthly school attendance, monthly health checkups and attendance to Family Development Sessions (FDS).
Rosielyn’s family is one of the 326,646 family-beneficiaries of the program in the CALABARZON Region.
“Dahil sa programa, natulungan kaming mag-asawa sa mga gastusin para sa mga bata lalong lalo na sa mga pangangailangan nila sa school,” she said.
However, for Rosielyn, besides the cash grant, she is thankful for how the program inspired her and her husband to work harder for their children.
“Dahil sa mga buwanang FDS, nagkaroon ako ng pag-asa at lakas ng loob na mangarap at magsumikap sa pag-abot ng mga ito,” said Rosielyn.
With this, she found ways to better help her husband.
“Nanghiram ako ng puhunan para sa isang maliit na tindahan,” she shared.
According to her, this small store has helped with the daily needs. Since the Pantawid Pamilya takes care of most of the needs of her children in school, she’s able to allot the store’s income and her husband’s pay for their other needs as well as improving their home and their business.
Towards the future
With the great opportunity that came to their life, Rosielyn commits to continue working hard for her family, especially her children. She understands that more than the help from the government, it is their determination and hard work that will lead them to a better future.
“Sa aming pagsisikap at pagtutulungan sa pamilya napalago na namin ngayon ang aming tindahan. Masasabi ko na rin na hindi na kami hirap sa buhay,” she shared with pride.
Looking back, Rosielyn has never thought that their life could be better. But seeing today’s situation makes her feel proud that she did not lose hope and she made a way to make their life easier.# with reports from MTugano