Rose Mella Nabalde of Brgy. Cogon here said the pandemic may be disastrous to others but for her, it is a wake-up call and definitely a test of her belief in God.

“I took the situation in a positive way, with strong faith and conviction that someday everything will be okay in God’s perfect time,” she said.

HER STORY

A year ago, I was a Daycare Worker but I decided to resign due to political issues. Since then, I kept myself busy through fishkeeping, plants re-potting, and maintaining our backyard vegetable gardening. I found out it very beneficial not only for myself but also for my family.

As I reflect to myself “Ikaw ba naman mawalan ng trabaho, magiba ang bahay noong bagyong Ursula na gusto mo sana ipaayos at madami ka pang utang na dapat mong bayaran” Here comes dumating ang Covid. Hindi ko alam paano ako magsimula dahil asawa ko ay isang hamak na tricycle driver at hindi makapasada”. My trust was being tested during that time. But God has always a plan for us.

One day, I took a picture of my plants and posted it on my FB account, just to brighten up my day. But most of my Facebook friends sent me different reactions that motivate me to plant more.

Others are asking if I’m selling it and how much. Some social media groups invited to joined the Aklan Barter Community.

I didn’t expect that my posts will be highlighted on social media and others shared it, too. I joined the group and then the bartering started.

To sum up, I have earned more than 15k worth of items like cash, groceries, shoes, dress, plastic, and wares, among others.) These are all coming from my plants. More blessings that I couldn’t ask for more.

To repay all the goodness, I have convinced myself to help others. I bartered my plants at AKBACO for a cause to donate two radio transistors to all students in far-flung areas for their broadcast learning and several packs of milk for our neighbors’ babies. I also shared my groceries with my parents and siblings.

As a former daycare worker, I accepted cashless tutorials together with my daughter to guide other children on their modular because not all students have parents or siblings who are capable of assisting their students in the modular class. In exchange for that, they gave us any kind or any things that they can afford to offer.

Dealing with the situation is always hard when you look at it in a negative way. We always look for a better solution. We don’t need to point fingers at anybody for their lapses. The least we can do is to cooperate with our government and health officials.

As Pantawid Parent Leader, I believed that “We heal as One” Masarap pa din makatulong kahit alam ko sa sarili kailangan ko din.//(Aklan POO)