During the Spaniards’ Reign, Filipinos have been told that we are lazy that’s why we are poor. Growing up, though, I’ve seen this notion untrue and unfair.
Even the most skillful and hardworking can suffer unemployment due to lack of opportunities and proper education. If every year thousands of graduates from universities end up jobless, what hope is there for those who were unable to get a degree or even simply finish high school? Sadly, the question elicits a perennial cycle of reasons. At the end of the day, we all have to individually take action in the absence of answers.
These are the conditions we saw with our group of mothers at the Source. Composed of 10-12 young mothers, this group meets every week at the Drop-in Centre for fellowship and meals. About five out of twelve of the women’s husbands work, but they are not on minimum wage. Some are earning on a daily basis by doing carpentry or tricycle driving. These mothers have two children at least and eleven at the most. Due to lack of employment and the size of their families they are having difficulty with daily expenses and sending their children to school is already a great burden. Some of the women do laundry in the neighborhood just to earn a little income.
Because of this condition, Mercy in Action has decided to create a livelihood program for them – Making Jewelry. The first batch of jewelry has already been sent back to the UK. For the second batch we have the following mothers, Rodelyn Abastillas, Rosalie Torreta, Arlyn Cabusas and Remedios Dandan. These mothers were trained in how to design and make jewellery and given tools for free. They will be paid for every piece they make earning them P2, 000-3,500 per batch. This is a huge help for them. For washing laundry, they only earn 200 pesos which is very time consuming and physically taxing since everything is done manually.
With this livelihood program the mothers can now work at the comfort of their homes without neglecting the care of their children while earning a decent wage.
At Mercy in Action, a project is defined by its end; and an end is defined by its effect. An effect is measured by how it has brought about help and made a positive difference.