A family’s journey from uncertainty to confidence

Hopping on a train with the whole family for a summer vacation sounded like a good plan for the Fajardo Family back in 2006. With some clothes and just enough money, they traveled for several hours from Bicol to Los Baños, Laguna for a much needed break.

“Lumipas ang ilang araw at linggo, ang inaasahan naming bakasyon lamang ay nauwi sa permanenteng paninirahan,” shared Lorna, 54, a mother of five children.

According to Lorna, they were unable to travel back home because they did not have enough money for their fare back to Bicol. As such, she and Cipriano, her husband, decided to stay in Los Banos, find means to meet their needs and survive, and send their children to school within the area.

Shaping a family for success

“Naging mahirap ang buhay lalo na at wala kaming malapit na kamag-anak na malalapitan kapag walang-wala na. Ang asawa ko lamang ang kumikita noong mga panahon na iyon at pito kaming kailangang kumain araw-araw,” Lorna shared.

They experienced sharing four small pieces of fish for the seven of them or just having soup for a meal.

“Nahihiya na rin kami ng mga anak ko na humarap sa tindahan kasi uutang na naman kami kahit hindi pa nakakabayad. Ilang beses din kaming nakikiusap sa may-ari ng inuupahan naming bahay na sa susunod na mga buwan na lang kukumpletuhin ang bayad,” shared Lorna.

Their stories of struggles seem not to end; however, for Lorna, these struggles have shaped them as a family.

“Gumagawa ako ng peanut butter at negrerepack ng chlorine at tina na nilalako ng asawa ko. Namasukan din ako bilang kasambahay para may pandagdag sa panggastos,” she shared.

Their children, on the other hand, continued going to school despite the hardships.

“Mas gusto pa nilang pumasok na walang baon kaysa umabsent,” shared Lorna, who added that their children also help them through selling the ‘yema’ candies she cooked.

Being confident about their future

In 2012, their family had been included in the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

“Malaking kaalwanan po sa aming buhay ang programa dahil tuwing may payout, may dagdag na budget po kami para sa pambaon ng aking mga anak at pambili ng pagkain,” she shared.

Lorna also shares that the lessons she learns from the monthly Family Development Sessions of the 4Ps have been helpful to her as a parent in continuously guiding their children as they grow older.

“Bilang magulang, malaki ang nakaatang sa ating balikat na gampanin. Malaki ang nagiging epekto ng mga desisyon natin sa buhay ng ating mga anak at pamilya,” she shared.

Today, Lorna is a proud mother of a licensed Civil Engineer, a registered Forester and a development worker, who are all graduates of the University of the Philippines Los Baños. Her younger children are still studying, one in college and one in Grade 11. 

They now also have their own house after several years of renting.

“Mayroon na din po akong maliit na tindahan na nakakatulong sa araw-araw naming pangangailangan,” she shared.

With what they have accomplished so far, Lorna’s family is ready and prepared to graduate from the 4Ps as according to them, they are confident that they can already provide for their needs and stand on their own.

“Ang munting tagumpay ng aming pamilya ay hindi tagumpay lang namin. Ito ay tagumpay ng lahat ng mga tao, organisasyon at programa na ginawang instrumento ng Panginoon para mapagaan ang aming kalagayan. Sa pamamagitan ng ating pananampalataya, sipag at tiyaga, at sa programa ng gobyerno tulad ng 4Ps na nagbigay ng tulong pinansyal at kakayahan sa ating mahihirap na makaangat mula sa laylayan,” she shared,

For Lorna, their journey may have been long, uncertain and troublesome. However, with pride, she now understands that their decisions, their hard work and their sacrifices have finally led them to a great ‘destination’ that they now enjoy as a happy family.# [with reports from DPSandicho]