This article was written by Amal Edres, Community Organizer of the Marawi Recovery Project. Before being involved in MRP, Ms. Edres worked as a social worker in CFSI’s Fresh Start Project (FSP) from January 2018 to January 2019. She now handles the project’s sites of the MRP in Mipaga, Bito Buadi Itowa, and Saginsongan Transitory Shelter in Marawi City.
Before the Marawi Siege took place, Nasroden Binaloy, 42 years old, was residing at Barangay Moncado Colony together with his pregnant wife and four children. He was managing the Pinoy-style roasted chicken business of his relative from which he used to earn Php 500.00 a day, enough to meet his family’s needs.
However, the armed clashes in his hometown took away everything from Nasroden, including the fifth child they were expecting. In their effort to escape the fires from the onset of the war, his wife, Najmah, tragically lost their baby.
On 25th day of May 2017, they were able to leave Marawi City. Having no means of transportation, they had to walk from their house to Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur—even while his wife is still bleeding—to escape the firefight. Through the intervention of the Department of Health (DOH), his wife was finally able to receive proper treatment when they reached Buruun Fisheries Evacuation Center in Iligan City.
From then, the family relied only on relief items from different agencies and other concerned relatives. Their children also had to stop schooling. Nasroden felt helpless and was left with no other choice but to accept the pain of not being able to provide for his family.
In 2018, Nasroden’s family was finally able to move in Area 1 of the Sagonsongan Temporary Shelter, one of the service sites of the Community and Family Services International (CFSI) under the Marawi Recovery Project (MRP). Nasroden was identified as a program participant, with his family qualifying to receive livelihood support through the MRP.
Combined with his grit and determination, his small food vending business is helping him earn PhP500-800 everyday, which sustains his family’s daily needs and his children’s return to school.
By slowly rebuilding back what he had lost, he also started having confidence in his self again as the provider of his family. Nasroden also commits to sustaining his livelihood as a sign of his gratitude.
The Marawi Recovery Project (MRP), implemented by CFSI, is supported by the Australian Government and aims to promote the protection, psychosocial, and economic recovery of around 6,500 households affected by the Marawi Siege.
To learn more about the Marawi Recovery Project (MRP), you may view the MRP Project Brief here.