Volunteerism is the act of selflessly dedicating one’s time and skills to help others and is a powerful force that can transform lives and communities.

Marites Caramihan, a 4Ps beneficiary from Barangay Binlod, Argao, a southern town in Cebu province, shared, “Ayaw himuang rason ang imong pamilya nga dili ka makatabang sa uban (Do not make your family an excuse to help others).”

An active volunteer in different groups and associations in her community, Marites took on leadership roles like being the President of the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) of Binlod Elementary School for the school year 2023-2024, the Purok President in Purok Bayabas in their barangay from 2020 until present, and a coordinator at the Divine Mercy Chapel, located in their community.

Looking back, Marites belonged to a poor household with a family size of ten. She is the third child among eight siblings, and at a young age, she works as a nanny to help her parents earn a living. Later, she returned to school as a working student from her first year of high school until she finished secondary school in Cebu City.

“Sayo ko nanganak mao nga wala nako nakapadayun og eskwela pag college ug tungod pud sa kawad-on namo (I got pregnant at an early age and I wasn’t able to pursue my college studies because of poverty),” she shared.

Her experience was her motivation to work harder so that her children would finish their studies and not undergo the same experience she had before. Her journey is a testament to the unwavering human spirit and the power of using her past story for a better future.

Though lacking in education, Marites believes it will not hinder her from serving in the community. She turned her challenges into stepping stones, using them as motivation to persevere and to propel herself, her family, and her community.

She narrated her struggles during her first year of volunteering, and her husband also complained that she gives less priority to her family. During that time, her husband, Ricky, did not have a permanent job, and she took on the role of the family’s breadwinner.

She sold fish twice a week and barbecue every afternoon to provide food for their family.

“Gibuhat nako ang tanan aron naa lang mi makaon ug makatustos ko sa ilang pageskwela. Dili siya sayun apan wala ko nawad-an og paglaum (I did everything for my family so that we could have food and I can support them in their education. It was not easy but I did not lose hope),” said Marites.

She carefully managed her hard-earned money, prioritizing their needs like food versus their wants.

In 2012, the Caramihan family became beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and was entitled to receive a cash grant from the national government based on their compliance with the program’s conditionalities. For Marites, it financially augmented support for her children’s education and their health.

Giving back to the support she received, Marites offers her time and service to the community and holds several positions without any honorarium. She also believes that for them to attain self-sufficiency, they need to help one another and provide solutions to their community problems.

Later on, Ricky understands the value of volunteerism and joins Marites in different community activities.

Community Volunteer

She also took on the role of a 4Ps parent leader in their barangay who is tasked with helping the 4Ps Municipal Link disseminate relevant information to her co-4Ps partner beneficiaries and became a Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) community volunteer for three (3) years, which helped in making their chosen sub-projects possible, like the communal water supply and sanitation facility and the road concreting in their community.

She helped improve their road access, which got muddy during rainy days. Through the community-driven development (CDD) approach of Kalahi-CIDSS, they were able to find a solution to their community problem.

As a result of collaboration between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the local government unit (LGU) of Argao, and the community volunteers, the road has improved, alleviating the burden of the community, particularly on rainy days. The successful implementation of this sub-project made the road safer and more convenient for the residents. Most of all, it manifested the positive impact collective action and community involvement could have.

In addition, she also initiated the clearing of long grass along the roads, which created a safer path for children, particularly those walking to and from their school.

As a community leader, she also initiated and led various programs in their Purok, like facilitating medical assistance to her neighbors through a monthly contribution. The members eagerly accepted the initiative, and they were able to support each other and alleviate the burden, especially during medical emergencies.

She also ensured the effective handling of money, and everyone had access to the support required for medical assistance.

Additionally, Marites organized monthly feeding programs for the young children in her neighborhood, ensuring they had access to nutritious meals, and she also implemented the “Purok Pabasa” program to aid young learners struggling with reading, offering them the opportunity to practice their reading skills.

She actively participates in the SUGBUsog program of the Cebu Provincial Government, which aims to encourage communities to grow vegetables in their backyards and school gardens to generate enough food supply in the neighborhood. The program aligns with the 4Ps Gulayan sa Barangay initiative of the DSWD, which encourages 4Ps families to implement backyard and communal gardening.

Caramihan family

Despite the challenges as a mother, a wife, and a community volunteer, she diligently manages her time, carefully balancing her household obligations while actively participating in various community activities with her family and fellow volunteers.

For Marites, no material or financial gain can compare to the genuine satisfaction of bringing about positive change and a beneficial impact on everyone.

Marites is also a proud mother to her six children, who are all in school and are academic achievers. Marikhan, the eldest daughter, is a fourth-year college student, while her second child, Riemar, is a first-year college student. Both are taking a Bachelor of Science in Forestry at the Cebu Technological University (CTU) Argao Campus.

The current monitored children under 4Ps are Jessa Marie, a Grade 11 student, and Rickie, a Grade 9 student. The fifth child, Jhea Marie, is a Grade 4 student, and the youngest child, RickieMar, is a Grade 1 student.

Her husband works as an on-call construction worker, while Marites accepts a laundry job to augment their income. They continue to sell fish and barbecues. The couple prioritizes their children’s education and instills the value of education and volunteerism in the community.

Through Marites determination and perseverance, she has created a supportive and conducive environment where her children can thrive academically to achieve their dreams in life.

Marites’s story serves as an inspiration, reminding everyone of the immeasurable value of giving back and the potential to create meaningful change. Her commitment to making a difference without expecting anything in return is a shining example of the true essence of volunteerism. ###

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