Sharing life lessons to 4Ps beneficiaries

For a couple of months now, Rosemarie Abarra has been speaking in front of new beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Lucena City.

In situations like this, she has one goal – that is to encourage them to dream and do something to improve their current living situation.

For Rosemarie, 47, a resident of Brgy. Marao in Padre Burgos, Quezon, this goal is not simply because it is part of her role as a newly-hired 4Ps City Link of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office IV-A.

This goal roots from her experiences as a beneficiary of the 4Ps for 11 years.

Getting help and finding inspiration

As a daycare worker who solely supports her three children, Rosemarie struggled a lot financially. She was burdened even more because her eldest, Lhance, was diagnosed with epilepsy and prescribed lifetime medication.

Their being a beneficiary of the 4Ps in 2011 became a source of ‘hope’ for Rosemarie in her financial struggles.

“Natulungan kami ng 4Ps na patuloy na sustentuhan ang gamutan ng aking anak at ang mga pambaon nila sa school,” she shared.

However, despite the help of the program, Rosemarie understood that she needs to double her efforts to support her children. However, since she has no college diploma, opportunities for more stable and higher paying jobs are very limited for her.

“Sa edad na 36, nagpasya akong ituloy ang pag-aaral ko at kumuha ng kursong Bachelor of Elementary Education sa ilalim ng programang Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program,” she shared.

From 2016 to 2018, she would balance her time being a solo parent, a daycare worker, and a student.

“Pagkagaling ko sa paaralan ay didiretso ako sa aking trabaho. Maraming pagod, puyat, at gutom ang naranasan ko dito pero hindi ito naging hadlang para sa akin,” she shared.

In May 2018, Rosemarie graduated from college and after three tries, she passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers. During the pandemic, she took and finished her Masters of Education.

Turning their life around

Though she had been constantly trying to apply to be a public school teacher, she had to rethink her career plans as she prefers to be close to her children.

“Dahil mahirap ang sitwasyon, minabuti kong maging isang tutor para magabayan ko pa rin ang mga anak ko,” shared Rosemarie.

However, when her eldest enrolled in college, her income as a daycare worker and tutor became insufficient.

“Nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na ako ay makapag-apply sa DSWD at mapalad na natanggap bilang City Link,” she shared.

With her income, Rosemarie is confident that she can provide for the needs of her three children–one is in 2nd year college and the two are in high school.

Though she is a new worker of the Department, Rosemarie already expressed her interest to waive as a beneficiary of the program.

“Kahit na napakalaking tulong ng programa, alam kong mas may nangangailangan pa kaysa sa amin. Kaya ko namang suportahan na ang aming pamilya,” she added.

As she deals with her handled 4Ps beneficiaries as part of her job, Rosemarie uses her experiences as a means to inspire them.

“Ginagawa kong halimbawa ang aking sarili sa kanila. Na kung ako nga na isang solo parent ay nakaya kong pagsumikapang paunlarin ang aming buhay, kayang kaya rin nila. Gawin lang din nilang saklay ang 4Ps at gamitin ito sa tama para maalalayan sila,” shared Rosemarie, who is positive that these beneficiaries can also stand on their own with proper guidance and mindset.# [with reports from MDRojas]