Their family’s situation makes Analiza Lizardo pity herself as well as her two children.

“Awang-awa talaga ako sa kalagayan namin sa buhay dahil hirap na hirap kami sa pang-araw-araw. Balo ako at umaasa sa magulang ko para buhayin ang mga anak ko. Nakikipagsiksikan kami sa isang maliit na kubo at wala pang kuryente,” recalled Analiza, a resident of Brgy. Mabini in Tanauan City, Batangas Province.

It was in 2008 when her husband died—which also marked their family’s more difficulties.

“Pilit kong pinag-aaral ang mga anak ko para maging maayos naman ang buhay nila. Pasalamat na lang ako dahil may mga taong nagmamalasakit na nagbibigay sa kanila ng lumang mga uniporme at sapatos,” she shared.

Getting up again

Her husband’s death is a big challenge for Analiza both emotionally and financially. She did not easily adjust to the situation, which left her depending on her parents for their daily needs.

Gratefully, an opportunity opened for a widow like her, which helped her not only financially but also helped her get up again as the new head of the family.

“Noong 2011, naging benepisyaryo kami ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, at masasabi kong isang napakalaking tulong nito para unti-unti kaming makaalis sa nakakaawa naming sitwasyon,” she shared.

The cash grants, Analiza admits, helped a lot with her children’s health and educational needs, but she is more thankful to the learning imparted to her by the program.

“Napili ako bilang parent leader ng aking mga kasama. Noong una ay natakot talaga ako, pero dahil sa mga FDS at trainings na nadaluhan ko, natuto akong makisalamuha sa ibang tao at magsalita sa harap ng maraming tao. Nagkaroon ako ng tiwala sa sarili, naging mas malakas ang loob ko,” she added.

Further, she shared that through her attendance to the monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS), she found hope again.

The FDS is a component of the Pantawid Pamilya program that teaches parent-grantees on various family-enhancement topics including child’s rights, disaster preparedness, home and budget management among others. The grantee’s attendance to this monthly session is one of their co-responsibilities with the program.

Working for the children’s future

Analiza’s new found hope gave her more confidence that she can stand on her own and can make a way to help her two children. She now works as a barangay health worker.

“Ngayon, maayos na ang aming sitwasyon, malayo sa nakagisnan naming buhay. Nagpapasalamat ako sa Pantawid dahil tinulungan kami hindi lang sa pinansyal. Tinulungan nito kaming lumaban sa hamon ng buhay at magkaroon ng bagong pag-asa,” Analiza shared.

She is also grateful that as a barangay health worker, she is helping promote the program’s goals, especially when it comes to the health of children. For her, it is like giving back to the number of opportunities provided to her by the program.

“Napakasarap na makatulong para mapalawak ang kaalaman ng mga ka-baranggay ko tungkol sa kalusugan, maging beneficiary man sila ng Pantawid o hindi,” she shared with pride.

Looking back at their situation before, Analiza can still not help but pity herself, especially her two children. However, what matters now for her is that her children will not anymore taste such life and she’ll do everything to send them to school and help them achieve their dreams. with reports from PJCAdvincula***