Lanao del Norte — “A Person With Disability should never allow her physical condition to be a hindrance to volunteer,” says 52-year- old Julieta M. Yorong of Kolambugan, this province, who believes that there is still hope in community development.
Julieta is an active member of an association for persons with disabilities (PWD) in Lanao del Norte and has been a community volunteer in Barangay San Roque since 1994. Religious and dedicated, she believes in the power of optimism which to her can surpass poverty in their barangay.
Last 2013, Julieta volunteered to assist in the implementation of Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services – National Community-Driven Development Program (KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP) in their community. KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP is a flagship anti-poverty program of the national government that empowers communities to be involved in development through community-driven development approach (CDD).
Being a natural leader, she finds it easy to influence her neighbors to volunteer for the Program. “It could be because they already know me, my principles and my capabilities,” she says.
“Wala jud mi nag makuli ug nag duha-duha sa iyang kapasidad isip lider bisan siya isa ka bakol (We never doubted her capabilities despite her being a hunchback),” according to one of the volunteers who work closely with Juileta.
A cheerful model
Her persistence, concern, sincerity and commitment to lead the volunteers encourage other volunteers to do more positive things that will help them uplift their economic condition. She makes herself as an example to everyone in the community.
Julieta’s cheerful personality brings brightness and hope to their community; she always demonstrates smile while working, even though they meet several
problems in the implementation of the project.” Sa among pagtan-aw kang Julieta nga ga lihok siya sa iyang trabaho, nadasig mi sa pagtrabaho usab kay nakita namo nga kaya niya bisan bakol siya, kami pa hinuon. (Seeing how Julieta does her work, we became more enthusiastic in volunteering because we feel that if a person with disability/hunchback can do it, why can’t we?)”, Rosalie, one of the volunteers, says.
Confidence in the government
KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP through the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach has strengthened and enhanced her knowledge in poverty alleviation effort of the government. “Daghan ko ug nakat-unan sa dihang nagtrabaho ako sa KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP. Napalig-on ug napadako pa nako akong hibalo mahitungod sa programa sa gobyerno sa pag pak-gang sa kawad-on ug kalisod,” (KC-NCDDP has deepened my knowledge on how the government addresses poverty alleviation,” Julieta says.
Touching people’s lives
With her dedication and transparency in community development programs, she became one of the Philippine delegates in Africa (2002) and in Netherlands (2008) through the PASAKA (Panaghugpong sa mga mag-uuma ug Kabus sa Kabanikahan alang sa Kausaban) program funded by South Africa and Netherlands Government.
“Wala ko magdahum nga sa isip usa ka PWD, makapatandog ako sa kinabuhi sa mga tawo, apil usab sa uban pang mga PWDs nga sila usab makatabang sa uban (I never thought that I, being person with disability, could somehow touch a lot of people’s lives and inspire other PWDs that they too can help),” Julieta shares. “Kahit may kapansanan tayo, kaya parin natin ang pagbabago.”
Written by: Luis T. Arquiza, DSWD
