“Para nako ang edukasyon ang nag-inusarang yawi aron mahaw-as sa kalisod ug usa ka dakong ang-ang aron makab-ot ang akong mga pangandoy sa kinabuhi (For me, education is the only tool we can use to rise from poverty. Securing an education is a   big step towards achieving my dreams).”

These words came from Johanna Heart Genon, a former homeless teenage girl with a bright future ahead especially now that she is among the first batch of senior high school graduates under the K-12 Basic Education Program.

On April 8, 2018, Johanna joined other senior high school graduates under the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) strand from University of Cebu (UC) in Cebu Coliseum for their commencement exercise.

Beaming with pride, her parents excitedly watched her as she received her certificate of graduation,  the proof that she was among the first batch of senior high school graduates.

“My graduation means a lot to me because I never thought that I would come this far,”  said Johanna.

Humble beginnings

Johanna and her four siblings were raised by their parents in a Chinese cemetery in Brgy. Carreta, Cebu City.

“Maulaw gyud ko sa una kung mangutana akong mga classmates kung asa mi nagpuyo (In the past, I would be embarrassed whenever my classmates asked me where I lived),” Johanna said as she shared how her classmates would tease her about their living condition.

“Dili man nako ikaulaw ang akong family kay nagtrabaho man og tarong akong amahan ug wala man pud mi nanglimos sa dalan (I’m not ashamed of my family because my father has a decent job and we are not begging on the streets),” Johanna said.

She was proud of her father Wilfredo Genon Sr., a construction worker, and her mother Nenita Genon, a housewife, because of their dedication and hard work to support their family.

Despite all their struggles, Johanna remained focus on her goal to get an  education and to help her parents so that they can find a safe dwelling place  for their family.

Finding a new home

It was in 2014, when Johanna’s family became a partner-beneficiary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for Homeless Street Families (MCCT-HSF).

The program covers street families in need of special protection who are not included in the regular Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Currently, the DSWD provides assistance to 4,636 active MCT-HSF beneficiaries nationwide. The forms of assistance include education and health grants, access to social services, and economic opportunities, as well as, rent subsidy for a period of 6 to 12 months or depending to the clientele category of the household beneficiary to improve their living condition.

Through the MCCT-HSF, Johanna’s parents were able to afford to buy their school supplies and to find a safe place to stay.

“Sa pag-implementar sa rent subsidy, nangita dayun sila mama ug papa og maabangan nga balay aron makabalhin mi og kapuy-an (After we received the  rent subsidy, my mother and father immediately looked for a house for rent so that we could transfer from the cemetery to a decent house),” Johanna shared.

“In the past during the opening of classes, our parents were unable to  buy what we  need  for our daily survival and what we needed for school like uniforms and shoes. With MCCT, our parents were enabled to buy our school needs at one time when the school year opens),” she said.

In March 2017, their family was among the 20 MCCT partner-beneficiaries who were able to  secure their own house through a rent-to-own scheme project by the DSWD and its partner non-government organization, the Pagtambayayong Foundation, Inc.

Hopes and dreams

Because of her motivation to finish her studies, Johanna was able to avail of the Cebu City Scholarship Program for the K-12 program.

Equipped with the skills and determination, she hopes to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering to help homeless people to have decent and safe homes.

“Na-inspire ko nga mukuha og civil engineering tungod sa trabaho sa akong papa isip usa ka construction worker. Gusto sad ko nga makatabang unya sa mga tawo nga walay balay (I am inspired to pursue civil engineering because of my father’s job as construction worker. Also, I would like to help the homeless),” Johanna explained.

She also has a message to young people who are experiencing difficulties in life.

“Ako silang estoryahan sa akong kinabuhi aron makahunahuna sila nga kung naa kay gustong makab-ot ug kini kinasingkasing, way makababag nila (I will share my life story so that they will realize that if they really aim for something and it comes from the heart, no one can stop them),” said Johanna.

Right way to help

DSWD Officer-in-Charge Emmanuel Leyco said that  there is indeed a right way to help homeless families like Johanna’s family.

“It is not enough to give them alms as this would just expose them to more hazards on the streets. It is important to help them regain their dignity by giving them services that would empower and equip them with the skills to improve their lives,” OIC Leyco said.  ###