Lorina sees working with 4Ps as an enjoyable and educational experience. “I really do learn a lot from the parenting modules. The things I am teaching to the beneficiaries are also new to me”, expressed Lorina. She also shares with her husband and child the topics she teaches during FDS. Lorina remarked while giggling, “My husband said I am a good teacher.” The topics on family relationships, proper parenting, and health and nutrition have strengthened her bond with her family. “They have positive effects on my own family and with the families of beneficiaries as well. During the open forum, they share to the group how they apply their learning in their own homes. Some of them tell about the positive changes while other still ask for advices. Everyone in the group is willing to give their opinion,” she added.  

    With enthusiasm, she narrated their first PES activity called “Banig ng Buhay”. To encourage the beneficiaries to impart to the group their personal experiences, she also participated in the activity -- making her own banig ng buhay and volunteered to share it to the crowd. “Before, I was really a shy person but I have to initiate the discussion to inspire others to be open”, Lorina expressed.

    From listening to the stories of mothers, Lorina has also learned how to deal with her own challenges. She remembered a story disclosed by one beneficiary in Buracan who lost a child because they had no money for hospitalization. Upon hearing the story, she felt depressed. She recalled her own experience when she lost a child too and how she struggled to forget the painful experience. The story of the bereaved parent made her realize that she should move on and focus on her family. “I am learning how to effectively cope with the trials in life by being attentive to the stories of my fellow women,” uttered Lorina.

    Apart from conducting family development sessions, Lorina also monitors the compliance of the beneficiaries to 4Ps conditionalities. She regularly checks their family booklet and reminds them to attend family development sessions with their husbands.

    Her work maybe strenuous with the everyday travel from one barangay to another distant barangay and the loads of different tasks she undertakes but, witnessing the positive changes in mothers, seeing frowns turn to broad smiles, and knowing that somehow she contributes to the improvement of their lives, Lorina finds fulfillment and pleasure being an LGU Link.

    4Ps is a poverty reduction and social development program which provides conditional cash grants to poorest households in the country to improve their health, nutrition and education. It aims to end the intergenerational cycle of poverty through investments in human capital.###(4Ps Social Marketing Unit)