“Kruuuuuuuk! Kruuuuuuuuk!” Goes the usual morning chant of Johanna while scattering some fowl feeds.  She was standing next to their humble abode, a wooden structure which is home to her 3 boys and loving hubby, Albert.

At her beck, several large-sized hens and roosters gathered around her, squawking  with delight. “These are my treasures and I owe them much”, she glanced our way, her face beaming with pride.

After casting several more handfuls of rice grains, she sat down with us while watching the fowl peck on their morning meal, and shared highlights of her life as a Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary, an SLP  loan grantee and as KALAHI volunteer.

A Simple life and Education

Thirty-eight year- old Johanna Lerona of Barangay Binoni, Salug, Zamboanga del Norte, wanted nothing more than a simple life and education for her children. Mother to three boys,  with ages 20, 17 and 11,.  She believes that with education, her children will not experience what her family had undergone early on in life.

“It’s really difficult if you have not finished your studies and I just hope that my kids will be able to finish theirs.

She shared with enthusiasm that her eldest, Jerome has graduated from college last March 2013 and is scheduled for training with the Philippine Army soon.   She considers Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program was instrumental in this accomplishment.  Johanna said that because of Pantawid, she was able to focus her other efforts in raising the funds for her boy in college as the program was already taking care of  (her youngest) John’s needs.

Education to her is the key to a good future.  Johanna herself, took the opportunity to continue her studies in 2010-2012

“I took advantage of the opportunity that while the government has been helping my kids, I enrolled myself in college”.  She took up Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education in a college located at the Poblacion in Salug and completed the first 2 years with flying colors.  However, her studies was halted when the school decided to shut down its Salug campus.   But with the determination to go on, despite the bumps in her journey, she diverted her temporary discouragement to her business and provided full-time support to her sons’ schooling.

“I am willing to wait for my turn, but now it’s my role and responsibility to ensure that my children get educated.

Johanna, who believes that education is the key to a better future, constantly reminds other parents of their responsibility in empowering their children.  In Family Development Sessions (FDS), where she serves as a parent leader, she encourages and promotes education as a significant ingredient in building a better future for every child.   With her advocacy, she was even successful in influencing her 70-year old father to complete his secondary education.  Tatay Eduardo Enario,  a widower, graduated from the barangay’s high school last 2013.  He lives with Johanna’s family.

The loan grant that Johanna received from the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) was a contributory to his son’s success in finishing his education.   Jerome had to earn his degree in Criminology in Dipolog City – about 3 hours ride from Salug, as there was no college nearby offering such course..  With the loan grant of 10,000,  the couple invested in hog-raising and poultry.

“Everytime my son would need to pay a project or his tuition fee,  I would turn to my poultry where I can sell each egg at P7 each.  Call it superstitious or what but I guess my hens could sense my need as they would lay as many as 8 eggs a day each time I’m caught in a tight situation.”  the young mother relays.

Volunteer Work

When asked about her undertakings in the community, Johanna revealed that aside from her participation in Pantawid activities, she also assisted in other programs as she believes that volunteering is like serving God.

Only kind words for Johanna can be heard from those four (4) families whom she helped and who are now receiving their grants.  If not for Johanna, these families would never have the courage to go on and follow-up on their applications for change of recipients.  But through her constant prodding and encouragement, these families pursued their cases and are now enjoying the benefits of the program.

“I cannot contain my joy seeing these children receive the grant after their application was approved by DSWD.  These were cases of change of recipients, whom I assisted in processing of documents.  They came back to offer me gifts but I refused knowing too well that they need it the most.  The kids showed me their new bags and new shoes and instances like these are enough for a ‘thank-you’.  Johanna said.

As a volunteer for the KALAHI program, she served as a member of the monitoring and inspection team for the two-room classroom project at their nearby highschool facility.  This facility answered their community’s need for additional rooms for the growing number of students enrolled in the secondary education.

“I am happy that with my efforts, I could say that I contributed something to our community,” the KALAHI monitor-inspector said.

TATSULO

Talking about DSWD programs, Johanna said that the DSWD programs have instilled changes not only in the community but to her as a person, a mother and a resident of Barangay Binoni.  It taught her to become responsible, confident and knowledgeable in some aspects.

The three programs improved her family’s living condition.  Not only did it provided an opportunity for her to upgrade her education but it also made life easier for her and her family.

Through the Sustainable Livelihood Program, the capital seed fund that she was granted, started off her business in poultry and hog-raising.  This project sustained her eldest son’s education.

“During Jerome’s graduation, I felt a sense of accomplishment, aware that it was my personal dream to finish college.  Still I felt proud when it was time for me to put on the professional ring on my son’s  which was part of the graduation ceremony.  At that moment, I felt all my efforts were paid off, not only in full but doubly-paid.”  Johanna uttered, misty-eyed but smiling.

Future plans

As a beneficiary, Johanna expressed that she has learned much from her experiences and volunteer work.  She believes that her faith in the Lord as well as her family’s support allowed her to be an effective volunteer/participant in every undertaking.

“I prefer helping people rather than expecting help from them.  I love what I am doing now and that is serving the people without any expectation.  I feel good and fulfilled everytime I help a neighbor or anybody.”

When asked about her future plans, Johanna intends to pursue her second son’s (Jeryl) college education.  She intends to face this challenge with the support of her husband who shares her dreams for their children.  While she also dream to finish her studies, she sees this as a second priority.  Knowing that the challenge ahead is tough, Johanna believes that she has what it takes to pursue and accomplish that challenge.

What and how?  We asked.

“See those peep of chickens?” pointing to the number of fowl gradually dispersing.  “Those will help me realize my dreams and Ive done it before that’s why I know its possible – – thanks to TATSULO”, Johanna stated confidently.