Cheryl Generale’s journey in Barangay Butadon, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte from hope to achievement resonates as a testament to the transformative power of education and community support.
Cheryl, 47 year-old and a dedicated mother of five, once harbored a singular aspiration: to see all her children complete their secondary education.
Living five kilometers away from essential social services, she believed that securing basic education would secure a brighter future for her family.
Little did she know, the path to their success would be illuminated by the Family Development Sessions (FDS), a cornerstone of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
“The responsible parenthood topic struck me during FDS,” Cheryl shares, reflecting on the pivotal moment when her perspective expanded beyond mere education. “I realized that opportunities would be more accessible to my children if they earned college degrees.”
Her determination translated into tangible success stories. Two of Cheryl’s children, Jeanryl and Joyce, not only completed tertiary education but excelled in their fields.
Jeanryl obtained a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from North Central Mindanao College, earning her teaching license in 2017. Meanwhile, Joyce graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Mindanao State University Maigo School of Arts and Trade.
“I’m living my dream of seeing them finish school,” Cheryl beams with pride, acknowledging the collaborative effort between parents and children that made this achievement possible.
The impact of FDS extends beyond academic milestones.
Omaima M. Comilao, a Project Development Officer in Kapatagan, understands the financial hurdles Cheryl’s family faced.
Comilao herself experienced the sacrifices made for education when her father worked abroad to support her studies.
“Dahil sa hindi sapat na kita napilitan mangibang bansa ang aking tatay para magtrabaho,” Comilao recalls, adding that, “Nang maging empleyado ako sa DSWD, guminhawa na ang buhay naming kaya umuwi ang tatay ko.”
The monthly FDS sessions not only provided financial assistance through 4Ps but also empowered Cheryl and others in similar situations with invaluable parenting skills and community engagement.
“We are grateful to the program,” Cheryl expresses her heartfelt thanks. “It helped us immensely financially and provided technical assistance that changed our lives for the better.”
Cheryl remains optimistic about the future. With her son Joandel pursuing a degree in Secondary Education and youngest son Jairus progressing in elementary school, she envisions a future where their semi-concrete house is further developed, and financial challenges are a thing of the past.
As Cheryl’s story illustrates, the FDS and programs like 4Ps not only alleviate poverty but also ignite hope and cultivate resilience within communities.
Through education and community support, dreams once considered distant become achievable milestones, shaping a brighter future for families across Lanao del Norte.
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