Helen Osing, 52, from Barangay Mipantao Gadongan in Marawi City, Philippines proudly shared about the things she owns now after recovering from the impacts of the Marawi Siege. As a victim-survivor from the five-month-long battle in 2017 between the government forces and militant groups, Helen is grateful for another chance to live and the never-ending blessings coming to her life.
It started from a cow she received as livelihood aid in December 2019 through the Marawi Recovery Project (MRP) of Community and Family Services International (CFSI) and the Australian Government. Helen raised the cow, sold it, and used the profit to buy scrap metal. She then sold it at a higher price and was able to buy an electric woodcutter and a carabao.
She continues to generate income by renting out the electric woodcutter. The carabao was used to help in farming activities where she gets the food for the family. She also received eggplant seeds from the local government through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Lanao del Sur which she would use to set up a vegetable garden at home.
With the way she’s managing her income, she continuously provides for her family’s needs and can buy appliances such as washing machine to ease household work.
“Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa CFSI. Dati, hindi ko alam saan kukunin ang puhunan. Ngayon, may sarili na akong mga gamit. (I am very grateful to CFSI. I have nothing to invest before but now, I can buy my own things with the profits I earn.)” Helen said.
Helen is one of the 6,429 households that received livelihood support from MRP. CFSI, supported by the Australian Government, implements the MRP since 2017 to promote protection, psychosocial, and livelihood recovery of at least 6,500 households affected by the Marawi crisis. #