This article was written by Alyasser H. Ansary and Jo-aine Abdullah, Field Assistants of the Marawi Recovery Project (MRP) assigned in Barangays Papandayan and Guimba. Yasser has been working with CFSI since June 2018 while Jo started with MRP in April 2018.
After receiving livelihood assistance from the Marawi Recovery Project (MRP), Namraidah B. Dibansa, 27, was proud to show us her newly built home in Barangay Papandayan, Marawi City. She was finally able to provide a house for her family of two children, on top of setting aside some savings. Finally, she had something she can proudly call her own.
Namraidah recalls their hardships during the Marawi siege and what she had survived and endured before being able to enjoy the comforts of her new home.
When the siege erupted in May 2017, she had just given birth through cesarean delivery a few days prior. The battle started about 50 meters from her home. In a rush, she and her family had to run in panic—even though her stitches from giving birth were still fresh. While rushing to escape, Namraida’s surgery wounds tore open and she started bleeding. In the middle of fleeing, she collapsed on the road.
She was immediately rushed to Mercy Community Hospital in Iligan City. For three days, she was unconscious because of blood loss and fatigue.
When she was well enough to be discharged from the hospital, her family was displaced in Santa Elena Evacuation Center. It was at this time when her daughter was diagnosed with asthma and suffered frequent episodes of asthma attacks.
Through the Marawi Recovery Project (MRP) implemented by CFSI with the support of the Australian Government, Namraidah’s family was given livelihood support which enabled her to open a small retail clothing business. Likewise, her daughter was also provided with a nebulizer kit to help treat her asthma.
Soon enough, Namraidah was able to reap the benefits of her hard work and even ventured into food vending as well. With her earnings, not only was she able to build a house for her family, but she was able to buy a motorcycle which her husband uses to sell fish in their community.
Today, Namraidah says that she is now able to provide some support to their family and relatives. Namraidah shows that despite the many risks and struggles they faced, with a little help to set them on their way, they can tread towards a rebuilt life.
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 at https://cfsi.ph/marawi-recovery-project-mrp-project-brief/