“Opportunities that come our way must be grabbed, for they knock only once in our lives”, said Revilyn Asuncion, a beneficiary of the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT), who graduated in the Housekeeping Training provided by the TESDA Region 2 for 55 days, from April 9 to June 3, 2013.
Aling Revilyn’s family hails from Barangay General Balao, Solana, in the province of Cagayan. She is a doting mother to her 3 children: John Alvin, 9; Jedah Mae, 8 and Maria Ellaine, 7. Since her husband, Mang Alvin earns a meager income by tilling a small rice farm, Aling Revilyn dreams of having a livelihood where she can earn good value of money, to further sustain her family’s needs. But all her bright thoughts are sometimes hampered by the dimming shadows of apprehensions.
“May mga pagkakataon na nawawalan ako ng pag-asa at paulit-ulit kong sinasabi sa sarili ko na hanggang dito na lang siguro talaga kami. Ano ba ang magagawa ng katulad kong highschool lang naman ang natapos,” she said in tears.
“Ngunit totoo ngang mabait ang Diyos, at may mga taong handang tumulong sa katulad naming mga mahihirap,” and her eyes started to sparkle.
The Asuncion family is one of the beneficiaries for the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer or MCCT. This program is the modified approach on the Conditional Cash Transfer popularly known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
The whole family is very grateful for being one of the recipients of the program. Aside from the help that it gives to support the family’s health and nutrition, education of the children, and developing more positive behavior among the parents, the program also opened doors of opportunities for the family.
Aling Revilyn together with other MCCT beneficiaries, were granted scholarship for the Housekeeping Training of Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) Region 02. Aling Revilyn and the group were also provided allowance for their food and transportation.
The 55-day training renewed Aling Revilyn’s confidence and trust in herself. She cast all the negative thoughts aside and now has a positive outlook in life.
Though she is so thankful that she receives cash grant through the MCCT, she is fully aware that the program will not last until lifetime. That is why, Aling Revilyn is now pondering on what she can do so that the sun may shine brighter for them. ###By RODOLFO CALINA URSUA, MCCT Social Case Worker/Green Meadow Development Foundation Incorporated (GMDFI), (MBA, FO2 SMU)