A quote from Jyoti Khan, a woman leadership and change enthusiast, states, “A truly empowered woman uplifts and adds value to the lives of other people, starting with herself.”
Verde Jalimao, a program-beneficiary of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) epitomizes the essence of the quote by pursuing volunteer work at first, then later on becoming a community leader.
KALAHI-CIDSS is a poverty alleviation program that helps communities in poor municipalities to identify challenges on poverty and implement developmental projects using the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach.
From 2017 to present, Verde has been a volunteer-leader, helping Barangay Sto. Domingo in Vinzons, Camarines Norte implement six (6) sub-projects funded through the KALAHI-CIDSS. These sub-projects were the following: Cash for Work (CFW) program with the provision of hand tools; road concreting project; improvement of a barangay road; provision of sanitary kits to 450 poor and marginalized families; CFW for 70 community volunteers for the clearing of canals; retrofitting and refurbishment of existing multi-purpose covered court as a temporary quarantine facility with provision of amenities and personal protective equipment.
Battling COVID-19
In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Verde once again rendered volunteer work by helping set-up the community COVID-19 facility for locally stranded individuals (LSIs).
Samson Balce, 54, the barangay chairperson of Sto. Domingo, said that most of their villagers lost their jobs or source of income during the pandemic. Another major problem was the lack of COVID-19 facility for LSIs.
Through the KALAHI-CIDSS, the community proposed the implementation of CFW and the establishment of a temporary quarantine facility as their sub-projects in response to COVID-19.
“Malaking bagay po yung COVID-19 facility sapagkat kung walang naka-install sa barangay na facility…siguro po lalong lalaganap ang COVID-19” ((The COVID-19 facility is a great help to our community. Because if we don’t have an installed facility in the barangay, the virus would have spread), Balce said.
Verde shared that implementing community projects is very challenging. She added that sometimes, volunteers are even accused of stealing excess materials and extra funds from the sub-projects. She shared that they conducted meetings to clarify issues and concerns to resolve the problems.
From a timid community member to a volunteer-leader
As a volunteer, Verde also transformed into a better, well-rounded person who is confident of her capabilities, especially in interacting with people.
“Natuto po akong makihalubilo sa kapwa ko. Dati kasi nahihiya ako i-express yung sarili ko. “Nagagalak ako na makilala bilang isang responsableng tagapamahala at may tiwala sa akin ang mga tao, (I learned to socialize with fellow community members because before I was too shy to express myself. I am elated that people see me as a responsible implementer and they have trust in me),” she shared.
With KALAHI-CIDSS as the tool for her personal development, Verde’s four years of experience as a community volunteer made footprints of positive change in her life and in her community.
Make Change Work for Women
The transformative story of Verde is the very spirit of the National Women’s Month (NWM) celebration this March. During this month, the nation gives recognition to the hard work of women and their role in development.
The changes brought by KALAHI-CIDSS to Verde’s life resulted in her giving back to her community through volunteer work. Her life personifies the overall theme of the 2017-2022 NWM celebration which is “We Make Change Work for Women,” and highlights this year’s sub-theme, “Agenda for Women: Tungo sa Kaunlaran.”
It only shows that indeed, empowering women leads to “mahusay at mapagkalingang serbisyo” towards the common good of communities around the country. ###
