MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--A returning resident who was stranded in Metro Manila received food vending livelihood assistance through the Marawi Covid Recovery Project (MCRP) of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Australia and Community and Family Services International (CFSI).

Hanifa Decampong who lives from Barangay Papandayan Caniogan recounted that she ventured into Manila to find a job after the Marawi siege. When the pandemic broke out, she decided to return to Marawi. Fortunately, she is one of the beneficiaries of the MCRP.

“Nakatanggap ako ng food vending which is naging simula ng bagong hanapbuhay ko kasi galing ako Manila. After siege nagpunta ako ng Manila para sa hanapbuhay then dumating ang pandemic, umuwi ako. Tapos sa tulong ng CFSI, nagkaroon ako ng food vending para sa bagong hanapbuhay na nagamit ko sa araw-araw na pangangailangan para sa dalawa kong anak,” she said. 

[I received food vending assistance which fueled the beginning of my new livelihood because I came from Manila. After the siege I went to Manila for a job then the pandemic came, I went home. With the help of CFSI, I had food vending as my source of income that I used for daily needs for my two children.]

Decampong shared she cooks and sells street food and ice buko at her home. She said the income she earned from it helped her buy milk and other necessities for her two children. 

The MCRP beneficiary also conveyed gratitude to CFSI and the Australian government for the support given to her which helped her to start anew. She hoped that they will continue to assist the affected residents of Marawi. 

Decampong also hoped that her story will inspire others to rebuild their lives. She reminded her fellow beneficiaries to use well the assistance provided to them. 

“Sa mga kagaya ko na nakatanggap ng livelihood, sana gamitin ito sa mabuti at gamitin ito sa pang-araw araw na pangkabuhayan. Palaguin ito para hindi na makaranas ng gutom ang pamilya at makapag-aral ang mga anak,” she said. 

[For those who also received livelihood support, I hope that you will use it well. Sustain it so that your family will not experience hunger and your children can go to school.]

Under the MCRP, a total of 4,000 households in Marawi and six municipalities in Lanao del Sur are targeted to benefit from protection, psychosocial, and livelihood support. (LELA/ PIA Lanao del Sur)