Juggling different responsibilities is not an easy task, especially when you are pursuing your dreams. Mary Lou Calpe, a 21-year-old solo parent, student, and provider, has learned to balance her duties while chasing her dream of becoming a teacher. Fresh from receiving her degree in Elementary Education from Daraga Community College, Mary Lou’s path was far from being simple.

But when she was chosen as a participant for the Cash-for-Work Program (CFWP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay, it opened a new window of opportunity wherein it would give her the time to build on experience, earn income, and take a new step to the future with her four-year-old daughter.

Deployed at the DSWD Regional Office, Mary Lou rendered administrative tasks such as encoding in the database and organizing documents.

“Noong nalaman kong sa DSWD ako ilalagay, parang isang stepping stone. As a fresh graduate parang isa siya sa mga experiences na madadala ko in the near future ko. Tapos yung vibe na nasa office ka po, yung parang very professional ka tingnan,” she shared.

(When I found out I was going to be assigned to DSWD, it felt like a stepping stone. As a fresh graduate, it became one of those experiences I know I can carry with me in the future. And being in an office setting, there’s that feeling of looking very professional.)

Besides the experience, the program also enhanced her soft skills such as time management, communication, and team collaboration. As a team leader in a group of students and graduates, she discovered that she needed to learn how to control outputs, collaborate with people, and produce outcomes while keeping a positive attitude at work.

More significantly, the income she received amounting to PHP 20,460.37 will be used for completing her pre-employment requirements, which are often out of reach for fresh graduates who are having financial difficulties.

As for the program, Mary Lou hopes that it will be continued to help more students and graduates like her, since it’s really hard to get employment, considering it’s highly competitive, and some jobs require work experience.

“So, kung baga itong program na ito will also help to develop themselves din po. Hindi lang para maka-help sa work experience kundi para din po sa personal. Ma-build yung ano nila [confidence], mag-grow din po sila,” she stated.

(So, this program can also help them develop themselves, not just in terms of gaining work experience but also personally. It can help build their confidence and support their growth.)

Mary Lou also thinks that growth, both personally and professionally, requires time and constant work, and that success doesn’t happen overnight. Although obstacles are already part of the journey, it shouldn’t be an excuse to give up, especially when she has a child.

“Ngayon mahirap ang buhay pero kapag ka nagtiyaga ka sa-success ka din sa buhay. Basta lagyan mo lang siya ng tiyaga and always enjoy lang,” she advised to fellow graduates.

(Life is difficult now, but if you persevere, you will eventually succeed. Just add perseverance and always try to enjoy.)

Mary Lou’s journey illustrates the reality of many people who balance different responsibilities yet still continue to drive forward. It also demonstrates that when people are given the right opportunities, they don’t just gain experience but also direction. Sometimes, all it takes is a single chance to rebuild a brighter future.

Writer: Ranelle Anne M. Sertan

Photographers: Alexandra H. Burce and Joseph Zaldy C. Santillan II