Ms. Rufacita Villegas is a Child Welfare Assistant of Operations Office 1 – Manila District III. She was assigned to handle the areas of Manila North Cemetery in Sta. Cruz, Manila. In January 2018, one of the MCCT-HSF Partner Member, Ms. Lourdes Pablo called her attention regarding the grantee’s grandson school behavior. As per Ms. Villegas’ validation, she found out that the monitored child had been a consistent absentee of the school facility he is monitored at Estban Abada High School in Dimasalang. The school focal shared several recorded complaints regarding the monitored child’s changes in behavior in school and his consistent non-compliance to education.

Taking the extra mile, and considering several factors, Ms. Villegas sought assistance from Ms. Ivana Kyra Maron, Child Psychologist of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. The team went to the class adviser and school guidance counselor for possible interventions, the agreement was that the school will accept the child given that the child monitored will have to do home schooling. The teacher and guidance counselor provided the monitored child with modules and requirements to be strictly monitored by the guardian, however, the child’s guardian is his grandmother and has difficulties assisting the child for his school requirements. The Child Welfare Assistant, Ms. Villegas whole heartedly committed herself in ensuring that the child meets the said agreement. Ms. Villegas religiously goes to the monitored child’s house to help him with the home modules provided; she became the tutor and teacher of the child, and even spends her weekend at the child’s place to finish all necessary requirements. After weeks of home schooling, last April 4, 2018, the monitored child was able to become part of the moving-up ceremony of the said school facility. With the help and dedication of Ms. Villegas, the monitored child was able to finish and submit all required school works through home schooling and was able to finish what seemed to be the end of the line for the child.