Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte – Having nine children, Norhaya Toma, 53, knows how difficult life could be, especially when finances are not enough to provide for the family’s basic needs.

Despite this, hope never left Norhaya who always believed that resiliency and diligence will eventually lead her to success.

Living in a small village in Barangay Piraka, Norhaya previously thought there were few opportunities to improve their way of life. She recalled that there were times when making both ends meet seemed impossible.

But like any other mother, Norhaya searched for ways to be able to bring food on their table.

Because of her resourcefulness, Norhaya was able to open her own sari-sari store, but later on also closed due to lack of capital and knowledge in managing the business.

“Ang feeling ko nasa madilim akong kuwarto. Hindi ko alam kung kailan ko makikita ang liwanag na hinahanap ko.  Nandoon na ako sa puntong tinatanong ko ang sarili ko bakit hindi ko magawang magbigay ng magandang buhay sa pamilya ko (I felt like I was in a dark room, not knowing what to do to see that light I needed. I was actually at that point of questioning myself as a person. Why can’t I provide a good life for my family?),” Norhaya sadly narrated.

She shared that her thoughts would run from negative to positive, but Norhaya held on to her faith that opportunities will come their way soon.

It helps that her family is a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), especially in providing food and school expenses of her children.

Now, her children can go to school with food in their stomach.  Through the cash grant, Norhaya was able to buy school supplies for her children.

Pantawid Pamilya is heaven-sent for Norhaya as the program helped her provide for the growing needs of her family.  The program also boosted her hope that a better tomorrow can be achieved, and that government can help improve her family’s life.

Livelihood support

Her hope was further affirmed when she, as Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary, was given access to livelihood opportunity through DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

Under the convergence strategy of DSWD, the sustainability of the gains of Pantawid Pamilya is important.  Thus, the Pantawid Pamilya families are considered as among the priority beneficiaries of SLP.

SLP aims to improve the standard of living of poor households. Through the community-driven enterprise development approach, participants, like Norhaya, undergo workshops and skills training in order to determine the most suitable market-driven and resource-based livelihoods to engage in.

Norhaya felt that the long wait for that much-coveted chance is now over with her participation with the SLP. She strongly felt that SLP is one big opportunity for her to get back on her feet.

She wasted no time and eagerly participated in the capability building workshops which SLP conducted.

“Sa mga workshop ko natutunan kung paano ang tamang pag-manage sa maliit kong negosyo. Naituro sa akin ng programa kung paano makakuha ng mas maraming kostumer at paano ipagpapatuloy ang sari-sari store kahit maliit ang kapital ko (It was through the workshops where I learned the correct way of managing my small business. I learned how to get more customers, and how to sustain it even with the little capital that I have),” Norhaya said.

After undergoing the capacity building component of SLP, Norhaya opted to access the Micro-Enterprise Track of the program where participants are given capital assistance to operate a small business.

Norhaya received P10,000 capital assistance to put up her sari-sari store anew. This time, Norhaya is already knowledgeable in managing a small business.

Today, she prides herself of successfully managing her business. The store is now a source of income for her and her nine children. It has regularly brought food on their table, and has provided the basic needs of her children.

“Sa kaunting kinikita ko ay nakakabili na din ako ng kahit simpleng laruan para sa mga anak ko (With some savings, I am now able to buy even simple toys for my kids),” she happily said.

Although there were times that the business is slow, she does not mind. She is confident and hopeful that with the knowledge she gained from SLP in managing a small business, she would be able to earn more profits.

“Natutunan ko na sa pagnenegosyo, talagang minsan matumal ang benta.  Parte lang talaga ‘yun ng pagtitinda at hindi na ako masyadong nag-aalala na wala sa lugar. Meron na ako ngayong tiwala sa aking kaalaman, alam kong kakayanin kong bumangon (I learned that in business, there are ups and downs, I am not bothered by these. I am pretty sure that with just a little faith in myself, I can get back on my feet),” Norhaya proudly shared.

Norhaya added, “Ipinamulat sa akin ng mga programa ng DSWD na kaya ko naman pala ang magbago at mapaunlad ang aking kakayahan at ng aking pamilya (The program has made me realized that I can change for the better and improve myself and my family).” ###