Maturing and Developing Skills

by Geraldine Mesa translated by Glenda B. Gutierrez

I am Geraldine Mesa, 32 years old and a resident of Barangay 105, Happyland, Tondo, Manila. I am from Burias, San Pascual, Masbate. I am a Visayan. My husband is from Tacloban, Leyte. I learned how to speak Waray from my husband.

Geraldine Mesa (third from right) with her fellow core group leaders in Barangay 105, Tondo and the KKFI Community Development Worker, Flora Mae Tatoy (third from left).

We have three children. The eldest is a girl, 13 years old, who will be graduating from the elementary school this year. The second child is a boy, 10 years old, and is in Grade 5. The youngest is a six-year-old girl who is still in kindergarten.

I am one of the core group leaders and livelihood project membesr in Tondo.

I am a stay-at-home mom and I take care of the children. I lost my job because of the pandemic. I am also a parent leader of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

My husband is a stevedore who carries vegetables for customers in Divisoria in Manila.

My family is happy even though we are only renting our house. Like other families, we have our problems, but with the help of God, we are able to cope. We always pray. My husband and I dream of owning our own house. We also want our children to finish their studies. We pray that God will guide and protect us every day.

I was able to attend many meetings of the Family Development Sessions (FDS) of the Kapatiran-Kaunlaran Foundation Inc. (KKFI). What struck me most were the “Parent-Child Relationship” and “Violence to Children and Youth” sessions that address issues such as stress, depression, and anxiety.

My family is okay, but the relationship among family members became much better since I started attending the FDS. I was able to apply what I learned to my family, my relatives, and my neighbors. They were also encouraged to join the core group leaders and the livelihood projects.
Aside from FDS, I was able to attend the following training workshops: Paralegal training, Financial Literacy Training, Cooperative Development, Positive Parenting, Water and Sanitation, Waste Management, Psychosocial Trainers’ Training, Pre-Natal Care, Sustainable Livelihood Approach, Capacity-Building and KKFI Volunteers’ Orientation.

These training workshops have helped me mature and developed my skills.

Because of the FDS, my family was able to have many “bonding moments.”

Thank you KKFI for conducting the online FDS. Families have become closer with each other. They were able to understand each other better. Thank you Ma’am Flora Mae Tatoy, Sir Vicente Eliver, Ma’am Nora Guevarra, Ma’am Allysa Mae Buisa, and Ma’am Joanna Marie Merced.

Thank you because although we are stubborn, you did not give up on us and you continued to understand us.

I continue to mature and to develop skills by attending the KKFI training workshops and seminars.

Going with the Flow

by Patrick Angeles translated by Allysa May F. Buisa

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.” – 1 Thessalonians 3:7

Patrick has gone far in his journey with the Kapatiran Kaunlaran Foundation, Inc. or KKFI. Now he is ready to move ahead.

He already passed the Massage Therapy course given by KKFI in partnership with TESDA and has received recognition through a National Certificate or NCII from TESDA. He received the top award for the 2017 MT course and passed the ALS Accreditation and Examination. He qualified as a scholar and was admitted at Navotas Polytechnic College.

He said the accomplishments he made became possible because he “paddled despite the storm and waves.”

Patrick is an Alternative Learning System student at St. Peter UMC Navotas City before he became a KKFI scholar.

While studying at ALS, he was invited and participated in various activities on community development. He was exposed to the Youth Camp, LikhAral, Teatro Kapatiran, Psychosocial Support Training sessions and Care Group sessions that enabled him to explore his own emotions and share his experiences.

Patrick shared how all the experiences helped him gain knowledge and skills that serve as his “paddle in traveling the river of trials,” especially in these trying times.

He said he is determined to help himself and his family.

He was chosen as a livelihood partner of KKFI and was assigned to make dishwashing liquid and powder detergents.

In his work, he was able to share ideas on how to increase sales and how to market the products.He also volunteered in various community activities, including the recent “profiling activity” in Tondo, Manila.
Patrick’s scholarship continues this school year.

Despite his busy schedule in school, he always makes time to participate in online activities and submits his requirements on time.

He said he knows that KKFI’s vision is not just to provide financial help to students but to help them achieve their full potential through holistic programs and services.

Patrick is currently into a “buy-and-sell” business of second-hand cellphones, bikes, and superkalan.

He is managing his time through school works, KKFI activities, family, and personal life.

He is currently receiving tuition support from the scholarship program in Navotas Polytechnic College.

And just like how placid waters flow, Patrick knows that he will grow in wisdom as he places high priority on keeping his peace because he knows that he has Christ in his heart.

“Why would he be scared when he knows he has a BIG GOD behind him?”

Putting God First

by Marilou B. Veloso
Translated by Glenda B. Gutierrez

I am Marilou B. Veloso, 36 years old and a resident of Barangay 105, Happyland, Tondo, Manila.

We are five siblings in the family and we are from Masbate. I was able to finish Second Year of BA Marketing.

Marilou Veloso

I have four children — Prince Jhay, John Jacob, John Benedict, and Feejay Jr. My husband, Feejay is a truck helper.

I am a parent leader of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). I am also a community volunteer of the Kapatiran-Kaunlaran Foundation Inc. (KKFI).

KKFI is one of the organizations that helped my family and other families in Happyland when the pandemic broke in 2020. They provided us food packs and hygiene kits.

KKFI also provided free livelihood training workshop with Sir John Jacinto and Sir Vicente Eliver teaching us how to make powder detergent, dishwashing liquid, and fabric conditioner. They also conducted a training seminar on entrepreneurship, which I applied in my vegetable business, which has become a big help to the family after my husband lost his job during the pandemic.

Although we are not formally organized, many are joining our group that we call “Tondo Core Group Leaders.” With the help and guidance of Ma’am Flora Mae Tatoy and Ma’am Nora Guevarra, we were able to conduct an election of the Board of Directors. I am one of the elected BOD of Tondo.

I learned a lot as a BOD member, such as skills in cooperative development and organizational development.

The training seminars I attended gave me a positive outlook in life, and I learned how to be a good leader. I also apply what I learned in my family. I am able to manage my problems with hope and a smile on my face. I always trust God will help and guide me. I put him first in my life.

I thank KKFI and its staff for the support they give us. Thank you for the training workshops and seminars.

To my co-residents of Happyland, love one other, help each other, and be united for the development of our barangay.

To my fellow BOD, let us continue helping and guiding each other. Let us develop our group and take care of each other. Let us put God first and above all.

Learning with my Son

by Joanna Marie Z. Merced

I am Edna M. Bularan, 42 years old. I live inside the Manila North Cemetery. I have two sons. The eldest is 15 years old and the younger one, who is enrolled in the Supervised Neighborhood Play (SNP), a home-based education program of Kapatiran-Kaunlaran Foundation Inc., is five years old.

My husband, Alvin Mañalac, is an active member of the Samahan ng mga Tagapangalaga sa Norte (SAMANTAGANOR) before joining the North Homeowners Association Inc. (NHOAI), which is handled by Vicente Eliver, a KKFI social worker, in 2018.

I work at home where I run a sari-sari store. My husband is a Barangay Public Service Officer in our community.

We are a happy family. We don’t fight.

I am from the province of Romblon where I studied from grade school up to high school.

I am very thankful that my son Alvin Dave is learning a lot from the SNP classes. Not only did he learn the A-B-Cs and 1-2-3s, he also learned how to socialize and play with other children.

I noticed that my son is now able to actively participate in class. He used to be timid but now is able to answer his teacher.

My son and I are both learning from the online classes that we attend.

The teacher, Ms. Joanna Marie Merced, is very patient even as there are some parents who do not actively participate in the activities.

I attended the Family Development Sessions (FDS), one of the activities of the Supervised Neighborhood Play, four times. I learned a lot from these sessions and I applied what I learned in the family. I got ideas from the sessions that helped me manage my family.

Although there seem to be no evident changes in the family, I believe that my relationship with my husband has become stronger. We are more patient with each other now.

The KKFI program is a big help to everyone in the community, especially to parents and to the children who now have access to education.

Being a member of the NHOAI, we also receive blessings like food packs and hygiene kits that greatly help the family especially during the pandemic.

I am willing to join other programs of KKFI. I believe the KKFI programs help the community a lot.