“Kaypee” has been an activist and part of the New People’s Army (NPA) since 2006. She joined the group because she was swayed by the promise of having a better life. Kaypee believed in this. She felt that they were her family.

Working with the NPA, Kaypee served as medical staff of the group. As a medical staff, she tended to sick and wounded comrades. Living a life hiding in the mountains, Kaypee never felt fear. Even if there were some days when she doubted her decision to join, she stayed and held on to the group’s promise.

But Kaypee’s life took a 360-degree turn when she got pregnant. With a human growing inside, her decision to stay with the group changed. She refused to give her child a chaotic and dangerous life. Kaypee thought that her child deserves better.

In June 2020, during her fourth month of pregnancy, Kaypee finally decided to turn her back on the rebel group and surrendered to the government. Sadly, her husband did not join her in this decision and got left behind. Once she left the group, Kaypee realized that all the years she spent fighting, running, and hiding was not worth it. The group only gave her empty promises.

When she surrendered to the government, Kaypee met a lot of opportunities. One of these was being a recipient of the Livelihood Settlement Grant (LSG) from the Department’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). Through the LSG, she opened a small sari-sari store on December 8, 2021.

Fortunately, Kaypee’s small store continues to thrive up to this day. As a matter of fact, she has already expanded her small business and has ventured into hog fattening and merchandise selling. Using the profit from her sari-sari store, she was able to add these livelihood activities for more income to support her children’s needs.

“Basta ayuhon lang og manage ang negosyo, naa gayud ginansiya nga mapaabot. Sama nako nga ako ra usa naningkamot para sa among duha sa ako anak (Surely, there is profit if the business is handled well. Just like me, I strive hard for me and my child.)” Kaypee shared.

For Kaypee, giving up the ideologies inculcated by the NPA has been her best decision. She may not be with her husband now, but she does not regret choosing to live a free and peaceful life for her child. Kaypee hopes that someday, her husband will also do the same and choose them.

Kaypee said that she is grateful to the government for all the help provided to them. “Mapasalamaton gyud ko sa programa sa gobyerno labi na sa DSWD-SLP nga gihatagan mi og assistance para makasugod og bag-ong kinabuhi (I am thankful to the programs of the government especially to the DSWD-SLP for giving us this assistance to start a new life.)” (Social Marketing Section/DSWD Field Office Caraga)