4Ps: A confidence-building program
by Sheryll Jane Sanico
Lamiawan, Caraga, Davao Oriental (20 February) -- "Sa una nga wala pa ang 4Ps, usa lang ko nga ordinary nga lumulupyo sa Barangay Lamiawan, karon nga naa na ang 4Ps wala ko magdahom nga mamahimo kong usa ka parent leader ug makatabang sa pag-uswag sa 4Ps sa amoang komunidad (Before 4Ps, I was only an ordinary resident of Barangay Lamiawan, when 4Ps came I never never thought that I will be a parent leader and be an instrument in the progress of 4Ps in our community)," Rosalita said with pride.
Rosalita is one of the 100 household recipients of 4Ps in Brgy. Lamiawan in Caraga, Davao Oriental. Her husband - Jerry, a farmer, makes a living by leasing a small farmland in their barangay. Her usual days are spent helping her husband in the farm and taking care of their children.
Rosalita and Jerry never finished their studies. This is one reason why they make every effort to send their three children to school. "Dili na namo gina huna-huna sa akong bana ang kalisod, ang importante makahuman ang amoang mga anak kay para dili sila mapareha sa amoa (My husband and I no longer think of the hardships we are facing, what is important is our children finish their studies. I do not want them to suffer, like we have suffered)," Rosalita shared.
Rosalita's only hope is for her children to finish schooling. But with the monetary constraints and other problems they are facing, hope is elusive. 4Ps came when all her strengths were starting to tear down. 4Ps gave her a new-found strength and ingrained hope.
"Dako og natabang ang 4Ps ilabi na sa pag-eskwela sa akoang mga anak pero labaw niana mas nakatabang siya sa pag-develop sa amoang kapasidad isip tawo, isip leader (4Ps is a huge help especially on my children's studies but most importantly, it helped us develop our capabilities as a person and as a leader)," Rosalita advocated.
More than the financial assistance, 4Ps helped these mothers and fathers build their confidence and be more involved in community-related activities. 4Ps empowered them to be more than they used to be. Rosalita and her twenty-eight member households are conducting Family Development Sessions and Parenting Sessions bi-monthly as part of the conditionalities that they have to comply as 4Ps beneficiaries.
4Ps is a poverty-reduction strategy benchmarked from the successful Conditional Cash Transfer Program in Brazil, Latin America and Africa. It gives cash subsidies to the poorest households in the country to help improve the health and education especially of children 0 to 14 years old. (DSWD) [top]
