MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--Internally displaced persons (IDPs) here delivered their gratefulness as they received another help from the Community Family Services International (CFSI) as funded by the Australian government. 

With the visit of Australian Ambassador Steven Robinson in the city, identified beneficiaries were handed over respective assistance which included livelihood and psychosocial support, birth registration, and care packages, among others.

Beneficiary Noraisa Pondag expressed her happiness as she would not be necessitated anymore to buy what has already been given to her by the donors.

“Nagpapasalamat kami dahil ito ay para sa pangkabuhayan nami. Maraming salamat sa nagbigay nito. Sobrang malaking tulong ito. Kung bibilhin itong [ibinigay nila], sobrang mahal,” she said upon receiving a livelihood equipment turned over to her. 

[We are thankful because this is for our livelihood. Thank you very much to those who gave this. This is really a big help. If we will buy this [thing given], it is really expensive.]

Another beneficiary Alikhan Pondag also thanked the sponsors as he is overwhelmed with the successive support he received

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa ibinigay na tulong. Napakalaking tulong ito sa amin. Noong una, binigyan kami ng pang-agricultural. Pangalawa itong coconut grater. Napakalaking tulong sa amin iyan dahil hindi iyan mawawala. Habang-buhay iyan,” he said. 
 
[We are thankful for the help that they gave. This is a big help for us. Previously, they gave us agriculture. Now, this coconut grater. This is a big help because this will not vanish. This is for a lifetime.]

Beneficiary Racman Manalundong, on the other hand, shared how his life was positively impacted by the aid he and his family received from the initiators.

“Masaya dahil talagang nakakatulong ito sa amin na mga beneficiary at bakwit. Itong mga livelihood program ay talagang nakakatulong sa amin. Unti-unti, nakakaraos kami. Salamat dahil binigyan kami ng pagkakataon na makasali kami dito sa mga livelihood [program] nila,” he said. 

[We are happy because this is really a big help to us beneficiaries and evacuees. These livelihood programs are really helping us. Slowly, we recover. Thank you because we were given a chance to be part of their livelihood [programs].]

Earlier, the Australian government, being one of the sponsors, maintained its commitment to aid the IDPs of the city here. (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Sur)