POVERTY

Individuals are said to be in absolute poverty when they are unable to obtain at least a specified minimum of the food, clothing and shelter that are considered necessary for continued survival.
Poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter. Poverty is being sick and not being able to see a doctor. Poverty is not having access to school and not knowing how to read. Poverty is not having a job, is fear for the future, living one day at a time. Poverty is losing a child to illness brought about by unclean water. Poverty is powerlessness, lack of representation and freedom.
I interviewed Mrs. Rubelyn V. Casimiro, Ate Juvy for short, she’s 31 years old. A widow, her husband died in 2002. She was left with four children namely: Alejandro Jr , 12 years old in Grade 2, Mariejoy 10 years old Kinder, Zyrenejoy 9 years old Kinder , and Adriane 7 years old Nursery.
They were formerly residing at Purok Bagong Silang Mayao Crossing, Lucena City. When her husband died she was pregnant with their fourth child. She has no work to support and provide her children in their daily needs. Someone told her to go to the office of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), now located at Zaballero Subd, Lucena City. She was thankful that DSWD accepted her children and because of their situation she was also allowed to stay at DSWD.
DSWD provided food, clothing, shelter, and her children’s education. Her children are now studying at Zaballero Elementary School and at DSWD Day Care Center. In return she is helping DSWD in monitoring and helping children’s activities, she assists in the kitchen in preparing children’s meals and every Thursdays they make pandecoco or Spanish bread.
Her family found a big family at DSWD, she’s thankful that her family is safe and her children are well cared off by DSWD.