More than just a shelter program

MANILA, Philippines – While poverty is a sad reality, is there anything more painful than dealing with the emptiness of the heart? 

Erlinda, 68, was all smiles when the team arrived to check the ongoing construction of her house, which World Vision provided for. She was at her usual self – bubbly, energetic and full of life.

Seated with her left foot up, her chin rested on her knee and her hands almost hugging her whole body, there was no hint of loneliness in Erlinda. There was a certain glow in her eyes – an inner strength that radiates from her choice to be happy despite the circumstances she was in. 

Everyone knew how her makeshift house, located quite a distance from her neighbors, easily leaks during the rainy season. But with all the smiles she can summon, she showed herself strong. Even when she talked about her experience during Yolanda (Haiyan), she laughed a lot. Erlinda’s demeanor only changed when she was asked about her new house.

A grandmother’s pain

“I never expected to have a house like this. I am used to having nothing but myself,” she said suppressing her tears. Erlinda shared that her two children were both killed years ago and that her husband already passed away. Her daughters-in-law took her grandchildren, whom she considered her only source of happiness. She was told they would need to study in another place.

“I saw them once and I invited them in my house. They promised they’d be back. I always look forward to that day. I am excited to see this house not because I will have a good space for myself but because I can hopefully offer a good place for my grandchildren,” she said.

“When they hear about my new house, I am sure they will come and visit.” 

Of mending and new-found friendship

When she started crying, a loud shout in between the sound of hammers came in: “Stop crying, you will no longer be beautiful. Don’t worry, I admire you!”

The joke came from Jerry. He is one of the carpenters training under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and will soon take the Carpentry National Certification (NCII) assessment. He also received shelter tools and materials.

When she heard him, Erlinda laughed. When she started to walk around her future house, Jerry shared her story. 

“Her story is not new to our village. Everyone heard of how both her children were killed and how she’s been living alone since then. But it’s only when we started working on her house that I came to know her better,” Jerry said.

He added: “She talks and laughs a lot now. It’s understandable because it’s only now that she has people around her to talk to. She’s no longer just a story and I admire her strength. She deserves to be happy.”  

Erlinda found not just a house but a company with all the carpenters working to help her. To Jerry, he found not just an opportunity for training or a job but he found deeper respect for a woman, a mother and a grandmother whom he got to know better.

“It is my first time to see her breakdown in tears and in the few days that we were here, I felt like I am his son who wants her heartache to stop. I want to thank World Vision on her behalf for the shelter.”

The support that World Vision and other organizations provide to Yolanda (Haiyan) survivors are more than just assistance. The story of Erlinda and Jerry shows it paves the way to finding a family, a friend and a refuge in time of adversity. Erlinda’s story went beyond a house being constructed to a story of two souls finding friendship and hope. – Rappler.com

Joy Maluyo is a Communication Officer for World Vision’s Haiyan Response. She is currently deployed in the Visayas and is moving around World Vision’s assisted areas in Panay Island, North Cebu, and Leyte.