Marichu, 43, a resident of Brgy. Rizaliana in Mauban, Quezon Province, recently completed her Bachelor’s Degree in secondary education. For the past four years, she juggled her schedule being a student, a mother and a small-time entrepreneur to get a taste of this achievement.
But more than bringing better opportunities for her family, her college diploma means leaving an important lesson to her children—that is to value their education and work towards their dream no matter the amount of struggles they have to go through.
Earning a diploma
As a mother, Marichu wishes that all her children get a good education. However, they struggled financially.
“Hindi namin sila kayang pag-aralin sa kolehiyo dahil kulang pa nga sa pang-araw-araw naming pangangailangan ang kinikita ng asawa ko sa maghapon,” shared Marichu whose husband, Angelito, works several jobs as a construction worker, tricycle driver, electrician and baker just to provide for the needs of their family of seven.
In 2012, Marichu’s family became a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The program provides for the needs on health and education of her two youngest children in exchange for their compliance to set conditions including the children’s 85 percent monthly class attendance, monthly preventive health checkups and her monthly attendance to Family Development Sessions (FDS).
Marichu talks about how the cash grants have helped the needs of her children in school; however, she thanks the FDS for inspiring her to get out of their current situation.
The FDS is a monthly gathering of Pantawid Pamilya parent-grantees and teaches them various topics including strengthening marital relationships, children’s rights, budget management and disaster preparedness among others.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa Pantawid Pamilya dahil tinutulungan nito ang mga katulad kong mahihirap na mahikayat na kaya naming tumawid tungo sa kaunlaran,” shared Marichu.
With the cash grants answering some of the needs of her children, she started a small business of making and selling ‘siopao’ so she can help her husband finance the needs of their family.
“Nakatulong ang munting negosyo para mapagkasya namin ang mga gastusin sa bahay at sa pag-aaral ng aming mga anak,” shared Marichu, whose second eldest child was attending college at that time.
Further, Marichu grabbed the opportunity to be back in school because she knows that education will shape her potentials and give her better opportunities to support her children. With her small business growing, she became confident that the family can finance another member in school.
“Sa Alternative Learning System (ALS), may mga modules akong inaaral sa bahay. Habang gumagawa ako ng siopao at nag-aasikaso sa mga bata, nag-aaral ako para makatapos ako ng high school,” she shared.
When she finished ALS, she applied for a scholarship and enrolled in college and took up Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education.
For Marichu, her enrolment in college gave her a lot of struggles, but she welcomed all of them.
“Hindi ko tinigil ang paggawa at pagtitinda ng siopao para masuportahan ang pamilya ko. Gumagawa ako ng siopao sa gabi habang nagrereview ako, at sa umaga ay dinadala ko sa school namin at doon ako nagtitinda. Naging suki ko na ang mga kaklase at mga guro ko,” said Marichu.
For four years, she went through this kind of life while her husband took the chance to work abroad to better provide for the needs of the family.
Now, she is reaping the fruits of her struggles.
One of her children is already a BS Mechanical Engineering graduate. The rest of her children are in school and are more inspired to reach their dreams.
Last April 6, Marichu graduated in college. She cannot hide her happiness and fulfillment that even after building a family of her own and the struggles of being a wife and a parent, she’s still able to fulfill her dreams for herself and make herself a better parent who can better provide for and support her children.
“Ngayon, nagsisimula na ang aming pamilya sa pagtawid tungo sa kaunlaran,” she shared.
With a college diploma, Marichu wishes that she has not just set a good example to her children in pursuing a better life through education. She wants that her story be an inspiration to other poor families, especially the children, to not let poverty hinder the achievement of their dreams.# with reports from ASTan