The smell might be unpleasant for others but it is nothing for those who rely on earning by scavenging at the Calajunan dumpsite in Mandurriao district, Iloilo City.
Since her childhood, the dumpsite has been Nelina Launio’s third home next to school where she and her other siblings helped one another in collecting recyclables and sold to a nearby scrap buyer so that they have baon in school.
Nelina also found her true love while she was working at the dumpsite. She married a fellow scavenger. They got married and were blessed with five children.
In 2010, the family has been included in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, of which two were covered by the program.
For Nelina, Pantawid Pamilya is a blessing to her family. Inclusion in the program helped meet the needs for education and health of their her children.
“I don’t want my children to be like us as scavengers. That’s why we are doing our best to give them proper education because that’s the only wealth we could give to them,” she said.
The couple’s hardworking attitude has finally paid off when two of their children have already graduated from college.
The eldest graduated from Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at West Visayas State University while the second finished Bachelor of Science in Travel Management at Iloilo City Community College (ICCC).
Both of their children are now looking for stable jobs. Their third child is also in second year college followed by a high school and the youngest is in elementary.
Many have witnessed the couple’s struggles and their feat in fighting against poverty. Their success story has inspired other co-beneficiaries and some people in the community which caught the attention of the Iloilo City Government.
Recently, Nelina was awarded as Best Mother during the Bulawanon nga Nanay 2016 awarding ceremony held at SM City Mall. The mother brought home P 17,000 cash prize.
City Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog commended the winners for their vital contributions to the Ilonggo community./dswd6//Montesa G. Caoyonan