April 14, 2025 – Getting the ‘Best Parent Award’ while raising kids inside the center.

Seeing her child receive several awards during his early childhood care and development (ECCD) moving up ceremony last April 10, Rose [not her real name]* cannot hide her joy and pride.

Even without the awards, she’ll be happy all the same. After all, seeing her child go to school and still enjoy being a child despite their circumstances is already a big accomplishment for her as a mother.

For the past nine months, Rose and her three children have been staying at the Regional Haven for Women and Girls (RHWG) in Rosario, Batangas.

The RHWG is a facility managed by the DSWD Field Office IV-A providing residential and rehabilitative care to women and their dependents who are victim-survivors of abuse.

According to RHWG Social Worker Christine Bernadette Inandan, throughout the stay of Rose and her children at the center, all the staff in the center have worked to help them cope with their situation and live a happy and productive life.

Inandan shared that during their first few weeks in the center, Rose and the children were not very expressive mainly due to the trauma they have experienced. However, through various interventions such as counseling and parent effectiveness sessions, Rose began to open up.

More importantly, Rose continued to fulfill her responsibilities and even improved her parenting skills as a mother.

According to Inandan, Rose is very diligent, especially when it comes to ensuring the needs of her children are provided. All her three children continued going to school while living inside the center. 

“Hatid-sundo n’ya sa school ‘yung bunso, tinutulungan n’ya sa mga assignments, at uma-attend sa mga school activities,” shared Inandan.

During her youngest child’s moving up ceremony, Rose received the ‘Best Parent Award’ while her child received several awards such as ‘Most Curious,’ ‘Most Generous,’ ‘Most Helpful,’ and ‘Sharing and Caring Award.’

Inandan shared that these awards have given more affirmation to Rose as a mother that despite the circumstances they are in, she can bounce back and be a dependable mother for her children.

Other than the youngest, her other child has also completed Grade 10 this year.

Other than taking care of her children, Rose has also managed to acquire various skills for herself such as cooking and making candles, perfumes, and rugs as an additional source of income.

Inandan also proudly shared that Rose completed the Alternative Learning System while inside the center.

Before the month ends, Rose will be reintegrated back to her home province where they can start anew.

According to Inandan, Rose is happy and proud of how their life went and commits to continue being a responsible mother.

Armed with the lessons she learned and skills she acquired inside the center, she will go back to work so she can continuously provide for the needs of her children. [with reports from CBEInandan]

*The name of the client and other details of her circumstances are not disclosed due to the sensitivity of the case.