From a dumpsite to a village

Imagine having to live in a shanty with seven kids and mountains of garbage nearby. Rutshe Roble need not think about it. She has lived it for almost thirty years of her life.

Living in a comfortable house now in Talisay City, Rutshe recalled how they had to endure the pains of living with almost nothing. She remebered barely being able to eat three times a day when they were still residing near the dumpsite.

Rutshe’s husband had been working as a construction worker by day and a security guard by night just to provide for their entire family. Even their eldest daughter had to sacrifice her dream of becoming a lawyer so she can help with their family’s financial state.

As another way to earn, Rutshe and her seven children made bags, belts, wallets, and other crafts out of recycled materials which she learned from her mother. “Mao gyud ni akong nakita na pamaagi kay akong manghod nakabalay ug yuta tungod ani (This is the only way I can earn money because my younger sister was able to buy a house and lot because of this [business]),” she added.

For her, Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Socialized Livelihood Program also helped in uplifting her family’s economic status since the program provided Php 10,000 as capital for her crafts-making business. She also became a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program to help sustain three of her children’s schooling and health care.

Thinking about all that has happened makes Rutshe cry. “Maluoy ko magtanaw nilang walay kaon pero wala koy mabuhat kay wa mi kwarta. Dili paigo ang sweldo sa akong bana para namong tanan. Di pud ko gusto mangayo ug tabang sa silingan kay libakon nya mi nila (It was a pity looking at my children with nothing to eat, but I can’t do anything [about it]. My husband’s salary is not enough for our family. I also don’t like to ask for help from our neighbours to avoid backbiting),” she confessed. For her, the memories are still fresh and cannot be forgotten.

For Rutshe, her eldest daughter really made a big sacrifice of taking up Education in college instead of Law. She can’t thank her daughter enough for being practical in making decisions for their family. And now, their family received another blessing. Because of the perseverance, concern, and love of her eldest daughter towards their family, she got them a house and lot unit in San Pio Village.

“Dako kaayo ko’g pasalamat sa akong anak kay buotan kaayo siya og motabang gyud namo labi na karong nagtrabaho na siya (I am really thankful to my [eldest] daughter for being so good and helpful to us especially now that she is working),” she said.

Now that they live in a village, she reveals how their family has been coping with the events even after a few months of staying there. “Puro mga dato among mga silingan. Wala sila kabalo na gikan mi sa basura (My neighbors are all rich. They don’t know we lived near the dumpsite),” Rutshe said. She added that there is almost nothing inside their house because they cannot afford yet to buy expensive appliances at this point in their life.

Rutshe, together with her family, continues to make bags and accessories in their new home. Sometimes, they are also invited to be instructors in workshops of DSWD-7 for crafts-making and are sent to forums to exhibit her products.

“Dili na nako ikaulaw na gikan mi ug dumping kay naa na man mi ikapakita ug kung magkugi lang ka makab-ot nimu imung mga pangandoy alang sa imung pamilya (I am not ashamed that we are from a dumping [site] since we have something to prove already and if you just strive hard you will surely achieve your dreams for your family),” she said.

Though Rutshe can say they are living comfortably now, she said they have another problem to face. They have to pay a monthly amortization of Php 10,000 to the realtor of their village since their house is not yet fully paid.

“May gani nisugot ra sila na madugay mi ug bayad. Di man sad mi mangtakas, di na mi gusto mubalik sa dumping (It’s a good thing [the realtor] allowed us to pay late. We won’t [neglect our dues and] escape from them, we don’t want to go back to the dumpsite.”

In facing this new journey in her life, Rutshe hopes to be with her family more than anyone else. “Silay gahatag nakog kusog nga malampos ang mga pagsulay sa kinabuhi (They give me the strength to overcome challenges in life).”