When her husband lost his job, never did it occur to her that their dreams for their four children are lost, too.

For Melinda Elauria, 54, nothing can get in the way in the future they are dreaming for their children.

“Yung makapagtapos ang mga anak namin, ‘yan talaga ang pangarap namin para sa kanila. Kahit nawalan ng hanapbuhay ang asawa ko noon, hindi namin isinuko ‘yang pangarap na ‘yan,” shared Melinda, a resident of Brgy. San Antonio in Biñan City.

Melinda narrated that Nolasco’s income as a factory worker was more than enough for their family’s needs. They were able to provide for the needs of their growing family and save money while she stayed at home taking care of the children.

Though the loss of their only source of income became a major blow in their lives, they did not give up. Instead, they made ways to keep their promise of a good future for their children.

 

Finding ways

Nolasco, now 56, started collecting scrap materials in the neighborhood despite being ashamed of the situation at first.

“Namayat na s’ya (referring to Nolasco) kakatulak ng kariton para lang kumita ng pera. Pero diretso pa rin kami para sa mga anak namin,” shared Melinda.

Despite being a housewife all those years, Melinda decided to start a small sari-sari store.

“Maliban sa pagtitinda, naglabada rin ako at namalantsa. Naghugas din kami ng mga bote na aming ibinebenta sa kalapit na junk shop,” she shared.

Melinda recalled that even their children helped with washing bottles at that time so as to increase their daily income.

“Habang naghuhugas ng bote, naaalala ko ‘yang mga anak ko na umiiyak sa akin dahil wala silang panggastos sa school,” shared Melinda in tears while recalling her second son, Wilson, who had no computer to use for his thesis at that time.

Alongside their efforts to earn for the children’s future, the Elauria Family became a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, which, according to Melinda, was a very timely opportunity for their family.

“Noong 2013, habang plano ko pa sanang mangutang sa lending, pinatawag kami para sa registration ng Pantawid Pamilya. Naging malaking tulong ito para makasagot sa gastusin ng bunso namin,” Melinda recalled.

For Melinda, the help from the program has given them more hope. Despite their struggles as a family, she was glad that they were never left alone to get up again.

As a result, they became more determined to succeed.

 

Moving forward

All of the family’s hard work has paid off, and Melinda cannot hide how proud she is. Little by little, they are giving their children the future they deserve.

Today, their eldest, 24-year-old Jefferson is a graduate of automotive servicing course. Their second, 22-year-old Wilson, is a licensed teacher and has already finished a Master’s degree.

“Kahit anong scholarship pinasok ng mga anak ko. Si Wilson, nagtrabaho pa ‘yan sa fast food chain para makatulong sa pag-aaral n’ya,” shared Melinda proudly.

With the help of the elder children, Nolasco and Melinda are able to support the college education of Angelica, 20. She is now in 3^rd year taking up Accountancy. Angelo, 10, the youngest, is in Grade 10.

Besides the education of the children, they are also able to improve their home and furnish it with appliances such as television and washing machine.

“Tumigil na rin ako sa paglalabada at pamamalantsa kasi nagkakasakit ako. Nagtrabaho ako bilang volunteer sa barangay kapalit ng maliit na allowance. Ngayon ay naglalala ako ng abaka para kahit papaano ay kumikita pa rin,” she shared.

Nolasco, on the other hand, works now as a street sweeper.

“Kahit pinapatigil na kami ng mga anak namin sa pagtatrabaho, hindi pa rin kami tumitigil. Ang katwiran namin, may dalawa pa kaming sinusuportahan,” Melinda added.

For Melinda and Nolasco, the future is never certain just like what their experience had taught them. They key, however, is not to stop until they get their dream future for their children.

“Lahat p’wedeng gawin para sa ikabubuti ng mga anak,” Melinda said with pride.#