This month of April brings a new ray of hope for Sama Bajau families as the Sama Bajau Capacity Strengthening Project (SBCSP), implemented by Community and Family Services International (CFSI) through the funding support of the European Union (EU), has started conducting a mass registration for civil documentation in selected communities in Zamboanga City.
Nonalyn, Marusiya, and Linda share their stories and inspirations as this start of new beginning opens up for them and their families.
During the mass registration in Sitio Hongkong, Rio Hondo, Nonalyn Gomer, whose mother was paralyzed years ago, was so happy that she and her siblings can finally have birthdays to celebrate once they will be registered.
Marusiya Abdulgani, 42 years old from Phase 1, Vale Vista, Brgy. Kasanyangan, Zamboanga City, expressed her gratitude to the SBCSP Team for the effort to register them especially their children as this is something they have been waiting for a long time now. According to her, having birth registration would mean they can easily access social services like medical needs for her son with down syndrome. Also, acquiring birth certificates for her children is equivalent to ensuring they will be able to enroll in school and finish their education.
“ Ag sarang sukul aku makaam, ma tabang bi para aka register mga anak ku bo sigam ka-a-an na birth certificate, amu ilu iya pag tagaran kami a toggol na. Dakayu itu aniya saki na pinag onan down syndrome bang aniya na birth certificate na akajari na iya kaamuan kami tabang ma parinta para ma pag tambal na. Bang aniya na birth certificate mga anak ku itu makajari na sigam ag enroll pag ukab iskul pasal ni amuan kami birth certificate bo aka graduate”
Linda Karsum, grandmother of Suraida, an incoming Grade 1 pupil, took a day off from her vending business to ensure that her grandchild will be registered in time for the class opening.
“ Halam bay aku ag dagang illaw itu, para ka sehean ku Impuh ku itu ag pa register bo aniya na birth certificate na, bo iya aka enroll na ni Grade 1 bang ag ukab na iskul.
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