Kriselda Cutara, a 40-year old single mother of three, gently lays down one concrete hollow block as she gets to work as a laborer for the construction of the multi-purpose building sub-project funded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD’s) Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDDS) in Barangay Baculin, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

Having kyphosis, a condition which causes the curvature of the spine (round back), never hindered Manang Kriselda to strive hard for her children’s future. “Ako nadasig na bisan paman ing-ani ako, aduna pa diay sama ninyo na ahensya ang mudawat sama nako na makatrabaho. Salamat kaayo Kalahi-CIDSS na karon akong nabatunan na dili nako ikaulaw akong sitwasyon (I am motivated that although I am like this, there is an agency that is willing to accept me to work. Thank you Kalahi-CIDSS because I learned not to be ashamed of my situation),” she heartily shared.

The Department, being an agency mandated to ensure protection and promotion of the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged sectors, values partnership with its beneficiaries by providing them with limitless opportunities in accordance to their skills and capabilities. “Dako kini na tabang sa amo [labi na] sa akong mga anak sailang pagskwela, kay ako raman ang nangita [ug panginabuhian] sa amoa. Sa among kalisod, wala ko’y lain na ikabilin sa ilaha kondili ang edukasyon (This is a great help to us especially to my children’s schooling, because I am the only one who’s earning. In our difficulty, I have nothing to leave them but education),” added Manang Kriselda who is also an active partner-beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. ###(JOANA RICA P. MILLAMA & MARKO DAVEY D. REYES /Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)