Education liberates former 4Ps family from ignorance, poverty

The Macapodi family’s journey in Munai, Lanao del Norte has been inspiring.

Namraida Guinla Macapodi, a former beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)  in Barangay Balintad, is a resilient mother of three who struggled to complement her husband’s income by sending their children to school.

Namraida embarked on a challenging path to provide a better life for her family through the government’s social welfare and development program and services. The Macapodi Family, known as one of the households in Set 1A, has been a 4Ps beneficiary since 2009.

Reflecting on her journey, Namraida shared her sacrifices to ensure her children’s success. With her husband’s income insufficient, she took it upon herself to find additional sources of revenue to support her children’s education.

Determined not to let her children face the financial struggles she endured, Namraida worked tirelessly towards providing them with a brighter future. The family faced financial crises during the college days of her two eldest children, Madid and Norjana, as well as Abdul Asiz, a high school student.

Namraida had to borrow money from friends and relatives to cover educational expenses. She even utilized the income from their small coconut farm, making every effort to secure a better future for her children.

“I had been struggling back then, ever since my husband had a stroke. There was nowhere else to turn but to borrow repeatedly from our neighbors to pay my children’s tuition fees,” she said.

Through the various intervention programs from national government agencies and her dedication and hard work, she has witnessed a remarkable transformation in her family’s living conditions. Her perseverance paid off as her elder children graduated from a four-year course.

Madid, the eldest, is now married to a teacher in their village. In contrast, Norjana, who became a licensed teacher after graduation, also imparts knowledge to the children at Balintad Primary School.

Namraida expressed her gratitude for the 4Ps, emphasizing their crucial role in supporting her family. In 2019, when her husband suffered a mild stroke, it was Norjana who provided all the necessary hospital expenses. In addition, Namraida’s dream of a pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  for the Haj came true in 2021. Her successful children covered all expenses.

Norjannah, who married in 2021, built the house in which the Macapodi household now resides.

Now, Namraida remains content, residing with her daughter’s family and contributing to household chores for her grandchildren.

Her pride in her children’s achievements is a testament to the transformative power of hard work, determination, and the various interventions from the national and local government units to the 4Ps grantees.

The family’s story inspires, showcasing the positive impact of the conditional cash transfer and the enduring strength of a mother’s love and commitment to freeing her children from ignorance and poverty. (DSWD-10/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)