“Nakaganda ang pagsama namin sa camp. Malaking tulong ito para makaiwas sa disgrasyang dala ng lansangan.” (Attending the camp was beneficial for us. It helped us avoid the hazards lurking in the corners of major thoroughfares.) These were the words of Ms. Ma. Concepcion Sanger of Barangay 700, Malate, Manila. She is a participant in the recent Family Camp 2015. The following are excerpts from her sharing.
Before the actual camp
According to Ms. Sanger, it was three days prior to the actual camp that she was invited to join. Ms. Elsa, their street facilitator, also mentioned that they should not bring much stuff as they will be well taken care of, so she tagged her entire family along to the 5-day camp. The trip, she said, was a relief from her daily activities as a “parker.” “Di naman po kami pinilit na sumama, basta wag lang daw kami magdala ng marami kasi bibigyan naman daw kami,” she said.
Activities while in the camp
Ms. Sanger learned a lot from the modular sessions given to them during the camp. “Malaki ang pagbabagong naidulot sa aking ng camping dahil meron akong natutunang mga bagong kaalaman na ngayon ko lang nalaman.” (The camping enabled favorable change for me because I have learned new things that have come to my attention for the first time.)
Further, she appreciates the happiness of sharing quality time with her loved ones. “Masaya pala kapag buo ang iyong pamilya.” (It feels good if your family is complete.) she said.
Asked which part of the modular activities struck her the most, she said “yung bahagi ng kahinaan at kalakasan ang talagang tumatak po sa akin, kasi po mahirap mawalan ng tao o’ bagay na nagpapalakas sa iyo.” The activity aims to define the composition of a family, in the participants’ perspective, and it also explains the importance and benefits of a complete and happy family. On what the activity taught her, she replied “nung una, nabigla po talaga ako nung kunin yung papel na nakasulat ang “asawa” kasi po di ko kakayanin ang mawalan ng gabay sa buhay; di rin ako magkakalakas ng loob na magtrabaho kung wala na siya.” Further, she said that the activity prepared her for the worst case scenario that could happen and that she also appreciated even more the family she has right now.
Winning a major activity
According to her, the most memorable experience in the camp was when she and her family were hailed as the “Talentadong Pamilya” 2015. “Masaya po kami nung kami yung tinawag na nanalo. Kahit papaano, meron po akong magandang maibabahaging alaala sa buhay ng mga anak ko.” (I am happy when we were declared as the winner. Even for a moment, I have a wonderful memory for my children.) The activity, she added, became a venue for tighter family bonding and drew them closer to each other. She also noted the positive results of the camp to her daughter. Through her exposure with other children of her age, she became friendly from being a timid girl.
A pilot beneficiary on program for the Homeless
Ms. Sanger has been included in the pilot implementation of the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for Homeless Street Families (MCCT-HSF). Since 2012, she has been provided with basic social services such as, Food-for-work, compliance based cash grants, Alternative Family Home subsidy and inclusion to the Family Camp. She and her family were also endorsed to the local government unit for additional provisions and social service interventions. Currently, she is part of the 10-day Cash-for-Work program under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) where she earns Php342.00 per day, as a street sweeper at Rizal Park, Luneta. Her case worker also recommended her family for temporary shelter and income generating opportunities from SLP to help them sustain the house rental they are enjoying at present. ###