Community organizing is a wide-ranging job. Not just actually a job, but a life as well. Hence, to fully appreciate its nature, there is a need to maximize engagement with different people and amalgamate them to go into one direction. This becomes easier when there are people who are ready and ever willing to share themselves to make dreams come true.

This I further realized when I met Mrs. Zessane Dawang, a resident and the permanent day care worker of Brgy. San Pugo, Nagtipunan, Quirino. Mrs. Dawang has been an active partner in implementing Pantawid Pamilya in the municipality. She attends to the needs of the beneficiaries in Brgy. San Pugo. As one of the trusted person in their barangay, beneficiaries see her whenever they are in doubt or have questions. They seek her help and she is ready and willing to answer it.

According to parent leader Nora Dawang, they were assisted by Mrs. Zessane in preparing their documents during the community assembly which resulted in a 100% registration of beneficiaries in the barangay. Up to now, she provides technical assistance and models like a parent leader to the beneficiaries. She attends payout and assists them in filling up documents.

She was motivated to help the beneficiaries because she had seen them in need of her help. “Madami kasi sa kanila ang ‘di nakapag-aral. Naawa din ako sa kanila, kasi yung iba nahihiya pa at ako na yung nilalapitan nila noon pa. Pero gusto ko talaga silang tulungan. Mababait naman sila at masunurin” (A lot of them were not able to attend school. I pity them too because they are not yet that empowered. But, I am more than willing to help. They are kind and obedient, too) said Mrs. Dawang. “Gusto ko din silang makitang umangat sa pamumuhay nila ngayon” (I wanted to see them soon uplifted from their present economic and social condition) she added.

As the municipal link in the area, I am very glad and thankful for her active involvement in the project implementation. Their place is very far from the center of the municipality, yet distance is not a hindrance for her to be an active partner.

 Now, she is also a committed resource person who conducts Family Development Sessions in the area. In spite of her responsibilities as a mother and a day care worker, she is happy to serve her fellow.

 Indeed, she is an embodiment of a public servant whose ideal is service beyond service. By ARVIN T. LONGCOP-Municipal Link of Nagtipunan, Quirino