In the streets of the town proper of Laurel, Batangas, residents are familiar with the sight of a small food cart where they can buy fish balls, nuts and quail eggs. Also familiar to them are owners Joel and Teresa Ganacial, who usually take turn in managing the business daily.

What is not known, however, to the passersby and even to their regular customers, is the couple’s struggles to support their family, especially their five children.

Teresa, 42, a resident of Brgy. Poblacion III in the said town, shares how she and Joel would work day and night to ensure that despite their financial situation, they are able to send all their five children to school. Both of them know that educating their children must be given priority to ensure that they’ll all have better lives.

“Minsan nagagastos na rin namin ang puhunan para pambaon at panggastos ng mga bata sa school. Dahil dito, nahihirapan kaming makapag-ipon at siguruhing may regular kaming kita para sa aming pang-araw araw na pangangailangan,” Teresa shared.

Getting help

Teresa and Joel cannot believe how they are able to support their family with vending street foods, which they have been doing since they started their family. All they know is that all members of the family understand their situation and are willing to sacrifice for their dreams.

It was in 2011 that the couple found new hope—it was when they were registered as a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

For the family, being a beneficiary of the program is a big help, especially in ensuring that the children’s need in school are met.

“’Yung cash grant na nakukuha namin mula sa programa, inilalaan na namin sa gastusin ng mga bata sa school. Kaya naman hindi na namin nagagalaw ang aming puhunan. Nakakapag-ipon na kami at nagagamit na namin sa patuloy na operasyon ng negosyo at para na rin sa ibang pangangailangan sa bahay,” shared Teresa.

Further, Teresa shared that the stability of their business gave her and her husband more hope that they can help their children reach their dreams. This inspired them to even work harder and dream bigger for the family.

Today, Joel also works as a barangay police. Even with his small salary, Joel passionately does his job because for him, it is already a big help for a family who wishes nothing but get out of their current situation.

Towards a better life

Sending their children to college is just a dream for Teresa and Joel before; however, the opportunities provided to them by the program allowed them to make this happen.

Their eldest child, Jude, has finished a vocational course through a scholarship grant and for the couple, they will not stop until the rest of their children finish high school and continue a higher education, whether it is a college degree or a vocational course.

Teresa is also grateful with the monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS) because according to her, it is where she learned to properly manage their finances as well as being a more responsible parent. Joel also recognizes the help of these monthly sessions and supports Teresa in attending them. Whenever Teresa has to attend an FDS, Joel automatically takes charge of the food cart.

As a sign of their gratitude to the opportunities, the learning and the hope the Pantawid Pamilya program gave their family, Teresa and Joel promise to work harder every day until they all taste an improved life.

“Magkasama naming pagtutulungang tugunan ang pangangailangan ng aming mga anak at sisiguruhin naming kami ay magtatagumpay,” shared Teresa with conviction. with reports from RRRivera***