It is a total nightmare when the things you’ve worked hard for many years are engulfed by a big, terrible fire. It can be a horrifying sight. Without a doubt, this situation can have the power to exhaust all hope that you have.
This is what happened to Gilbert Abing and Reny Jayme – both residents of Butuan City, Agusan del Norte. A fire that took place in their respective barangays burned down their most treasured homes and livelihoods. Gilbert and Reny didn’t know how they were going to survive this traumatic incident.
But hope, no matter how far and impossible it may seem, will always find its way to anybody who needs it. Despite the fire, Gilbert and Reny felt a spark of hope when an opportunity to begin again in life came their way.
Cultivating hope
In July 2018, people shouting outside their house in Barangay Obrero alarmed Gilbert Abing. He immediately went outside to check what the chaos was all about. Houses around their home were ablaze. Realizing the situation, Gilbert evacuated his family to safety right away. As Gilbert returned to their house to try to save what was left of their house, the gravity of what was happening began to sink in.
For years, Gilbert worked as a utility worker and saved to build a house for his family. It has always been his dream to have a house of his own. When that happened, Gilbert was in total bliss.
Sadly, in a snap of the fingers, Gilbert’s dream house burnt down to ashes. He was left in despair.
But as the man and head of the family, Gilbert opted to go on and work for his family. He needed to do all means so his family can continue surviving life even after the fire, Gilbert thought. Even if he was feeling defeated, Gilbert hoped that he’d still see a glimmer of hope amidst their situation. To lift off some of his burden, a friend of Gilbert offered a temporary shelter for his family in Barangay Mahogany, Butuan City.
Good news came when Gilbert was identified as one of the eligible beneficiaries of the livelihood assistance for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). He received Php 20,000 which he used to open a small sari-sari store.
Since his store opened, Gilbert would earn a monthly income of Php 9,000. From his earnings, he was able to put up a small house for his family in Barangay Mahogany. Gilbert has also loaned a freezer with the desire to expand his business and sell more goods in his store.
At present, Gilbert’s store earns well and they are able to get by daily. As he recounted the fire incident, Gilbert admitted that sight has been his most painful experience by far. In spite of what happened, he’s glad because was safe and alive. As they continue their new life after the fire, Gilbert committed that he’ll make sure to properly manage the grant given to them for the future of this family, especially his children.
“Akong inspirasyon nga magpadayon sa kinabuhi kay ang akong pamilya, labi na akong mga anak. Busa, ako gyud ning ampingan ang gihatag nga grant sa ako sa DSWD-SLP. Daghang salamat kaninyo (My family serves as my inspiration to persevere in life, especially my children. This is why I promise to value the grant given to us by DSWD-SLP. Thank you very much),” Gilbert said.
Begin again
Since 1993, Reny Jayme’s has been making furniture using bamboo as his main livelihood. He acquired this skill from his father. Reny makes all kinds of furniture – from chair, table, bed, cabinet, name it all! He can do anything with bamboo.
Reny’s house and store were situated in Barangay San Ignacio, Butuan City. The business was doing really well until a fire broke on March 9, 2020. Reny saw all his works being ruined right before his eyes. It was a heart-rending sight, he recounted. After the responders have put out the fire, Reny could only sit and cry as he painfully picked up small fragments of what was left of his home and store.
Just like any fire survivor, Reny almost gave up hope. He was already on the brink of accepting defeat when an opportunity came and pushed him to start their lives again.
On February 15, 2021, Reny acquired livelihood assistance amounting to Php 20,000 as seed capital from the DSWD-SLP. He immediately bought some raw materials such as bamboo, nails, and tools needed to create furniture again.
In the following months, Reny began to do well again. Aside from displaying his creations outside their house, Reny would also post his products online to attract more customers. As a result of his hard work, diligence, and passion, he started to have a steady income. During the second quarter of 2021, Reny’s estimated income ranged from Php 50,000 to Php 80,000. From his income, he would allot 10% for their family’s emergency fund and 5% for his children’s education.
“Kung hindi po nagbigay ng tulong ang DSWD-SLP, wala po talaga kaming mapagkukunan ng aming pang araw-araw na pangangailangan. Kaya taos-puso po talaga kaming nagpapasalamat sa inabot nilang tulong sa amin (If not for the assistance given to us by the DSWD-SLP, we wouldn’t have any source for our daily needs. We’re immensely grateful for the help they have extended to us),” Reny shared.
Losing everything he has invested for years wasn’t an easy feat. It was a hard truth to swallow. But with his perseverance and love for the family, Reny was ready to let go of the past and begin a new life again after the fire.### (Social Marketing Section/DSWD Field Office Caraga)
