In the busy barangay of Ungka in Jaro, Iloilo City, where people hustle daily to meet their needs, stories of resilience and triumph over challenges are everywhere. One such story is found in a small variety store owned by Jhuy Tesoro. For her, the road to success has never been easy.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Jhuy opened a variety store, hoping it would become a reliable source of income. However, the store was far from residential areas, which was not a good location for business. Because of that, only a few people came in to buy. When the pandemic started, the restrictions, along with the rising cost of electricity and water, forced her to shut down the business.

Despite this setback, Jhuy did not lose hope. Motivated by love for her daughter and support from her boyfriend, she continued to dream of a better life. She prayed constantly and remained determined to build a brighter future. Her prayers were answered when she was chosen as a participant in the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

Around the same time that Jhuy received a Php15,000 livelihood grant from the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), another blessing came her way. Her boyfriend’s mother offered her the chance to take over her variety store, which was located near a hospital and several warehouses. Without hesitation, Jhuy accepted and promised to take care of the business as if it were her own.

Through faith, and tireless effort, she transformed the small store into a thriving one. It now earns between Php1,000 to Php1,200 per day, a major leap from where she began. The income not only covers their daily needs but also supports the educational expenses of her daughter and her boyfriend’s siblings.

“This is all a blessing. I will never stop praying and sacrificing for my family,” Jhuy shared.

Now engaged, Jhuy and her soon-to-be husband are planning to expand their livelihood by opening a carinderia beside their store, funded by the profits she diligently saved.

Jhuy credits her success to the support she received from the Sustainable Livelihood Program and, above all, to her own perseverance and determination. Her story shows that support, paired with determination, not only overcomes challenges but also changes lives./dswd6/cdf/Jose Julius Pedregosa