Motherhood is a role that defines unconditional love. Often described as the architect of a nurturing home, mothers are considered pillars of support who foster the whole being of their children. Juggling various jobs for her family, Rosalie Allen also dedicated her time and effort to the village of San Pedro in the town of Irosin, Sorsogon.
Being a mother of eight (8) children, Rosalie has to balance multiple jobs to cover the expenses of her family. From being a laundry worker to a presser, she also worked as a carer for a child with a disability. Even though she doesn’t have enough rest, she keeps moving forward to achieve her dreams for her children.
Instead of seeking rest, she often shares her time and skills as community volunteer or Community Nutrition Sub-Project Management Committee (CNSPMC) chairperson under the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS).
DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS is a program that uses Community-Driven Development (CDD) wherein communities are given a voice and opportunities in decision-making, planning, implementing, and sustaining community-identified projects.
From working different jobs, Rosalie became an essential part of the program as she has to lead her community volunteers in implementing sub-projects.
Her commitment to the community has not only deepened but also formed positive change in her community as she serves as the Barangay Health Worker and a volunteer of the program.
“Ang nad-udyok po sa akin na maging chairperson, para po makita ko man po ang kung ano ang magiging development mula sa mga proyekto ng aming barangay,” Rosalie shared.
(I decided to accept the role of chairperson so that I can witness the development of the projects of our barangay.)
She also believes that her voice and co-villagers will shape the future of their community.
To overcome such problem, according to Rosalie, they would organize a meeting and ask for recommendations or suggestions for resolution.
“Entiro mi po babation, kun ano po an suggestion kan saro na volunteer, dapat po bation ko para diri lang kaya ako ang masusunod,” she explained.
(We acknowledge the comments and suggestions of each volunteer as a whole so that I am not the only one who controls in the decision-making.)
Despite the challenges the village has faced in implementing the community-identified interventions under the National Community-Driven Development Program – Additional Financing (NCDDP – AF) modality, they have completed four (4) sub-projects particularly, Cash-for-Work, Provision of Equipment for E-Learning Library, Retrofitting of Evacuation Center and Provision of Communication Device. Under the PMNP modality, the community will be implementing the Improvement of Child Development Center sub-project.
Rosalie also remains optimistic as she saw the active participation of community members in implementing the sub-projects.
“Na-empowered din kami sa pagpapasya sa komunidad,” she said.
(We were empowered in making decisions for the community.)
The volunteer also added that their understanding of Community-Driven Development (CDD) has broadened so they can already share their knowledge on Transparency, Accountability and Participation which are the three principles of CDD.
“Kaya napagtanto namin na kahit ano man na pagsubok at mga problemang dumating ay kayang kaya naming lampasan, basta’t sama-sama naming haharapin ang mga ito,” she shared.
(We realized that whatever challenge or problem may come, we can resolve it easily as long as we face it together.)
As she steers her motherhood and volunteer work, this astonishing woman leaves a memorable mark, retelling us all that the abilities of a mother extend far beyond the walls of her own home. ###
With reports from Kevin P. Ricafort