Jackelyn Tacoloy, 23, a resident of Barili, Cebu, is a former student of Cebu Technological University who turned challenges into achievements through perseverance and determination. She was one of the beneficiaries of the KALAHI–Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (KKB) Cash-for-Work (CFW) program—a short-term financial support initiative for college students and graduates, launched by the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office VII from July to November 2024.

For many fresh graduates who struggle to find a job after graduation, the DSWD Cash-For-Work (CFW) program provides this venue and opportunity for them to gain work experience and develop their skills while finding future employment.

Ms. Tacoloy shared how they were able to make ends meet upon her acceptance to the program in 2024. During that time, she hoped to get hired after graduation so she could help and provide for their family’s needs.

During her 90-day Cash-for-Work implementation, the program assigned her to the office of the Institute of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering department. She accepted the work and felt blessed to be part of the program. She viewed it as an opportunity to apply her learnings as a fresh graduate and to learn new skills.

And in the process of learning new skills, she learned that the best way is to know first how to seek help.  In learning new skills, she discovered that seeking help is the best approach.

“Challenges will always be part of the journey. And even on days it seems impossible to face, you will always be able to face it. You do not need to figure it all out now,” Tacoloy said.

The program provided a valuable experience for Ms. Tacoloy, and with the assistance she received, she was able to use it as funding for her board exam review.

“I could not have taken the board nor passed it if not for the DSWD’s cash-for-work program,” she said.

She also found a strong support system during that time, and with the advice and encouragement from those around her, she continued to move forward.

Ms. Tacoloy has assigned her to the office of the Institute of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering department.

Ms. Tacoloy now works in the BPO industry as a call center agent. She is deeply grateful for the experiences she gained during her 90-day work placement as a CFW beneficiary.

Those experiences have proven valuable in her current job. She is performing well in every task assigned to her and is motivated to earn as much as she can to support her family.

She often reflects on the reasons she chose to persevere rather than give up. Her struggles and the resilience she witnessed in others shaped her motivation and sense purpose.

Seeing individuals who, despite their circumstances of poverty, never gave up on their dreams inspired her to remain focused and pursue her goals with determination. ###