Lockdown measures as an effect of the coronavirus pandemic was set and made the world rest its operations. Although no one is exempted of the consequences caused by COVID-19, but low-wage earners and families in poverty line are having a difficult time in terms of survival. From food, transport and even finding ways to earn an income, it is a burdensome situation for them.
Amid the array of challenges brought by COVID-19, a woman with a perceptive mind – whose had a test of a lot of upside downs, has taken steps to rise from her family’s day-to-day struggles.
Gloria Carmelotes, 57 and a mother of four, is one of the women dressmakers in Tubod, Iligan City who recently received the cash-for-work assistance from producing washable face masks.
Before the COVID-19 outbreak, Gloria was an assistant of a bridal shop and earns Php 250 per day. Aside from this, she also sews wedding gowns and entourage dresses displayed for rental.
However, strict lockdown in the city was announced due to the pandemic. Her husband was also affected since he is an on-call welder. This shifted Gloria and her family’s life in finding possible ways for survival since there are no means of earning an income.
Since she has a sewing machine, she utilized this to accept shirt and jeans alterations and adjustments to earn and buy food and other daily essentials. On the rise of masks demand, she also made use of her time to make washable face masks and accept bulk orders.
“Nag-sirado ang shop kay wala nay mangabang ug wedding gowns kay bawal na mugawas ug mag-tipok. Kay naa man sa ako ang duha nako ka anak ug duha ka apo, kailangan ko mangita ug pamaagi nga makakaon ug naa mi magasto. Nagdawat ko ug pa-repair sa mga sinina ug pantalon sa akong mga silingan ug naghimo pud ko ug mga face masks kauban akong mga anak para makabaligya.” she said.
[During lockdown, weddings and gatherings are prohibited causing the shutdown of the business since no one rents. I need to look for alternative sources of income so I can support the needs of my two children and two grandchildren. Due to this, me and my children accept dress and jeans repair and make face masks to sell.]
Gloria also expressed that there are times in which she was not able to receive orders or repairs. Since she loves plants and gardening, she resorted to container gardening. She was able to maintain it and grow various kinds of vegetables during the lockdown phase. She was happy that they were able to sell some of it and also use it for their consumption
“Naa’y panahon na maglisod mi ug palit ug pagkaon inadlaw tungod sa COVID, pero kay malingaw man ko ug tanom, nagsugod ko ug tanom ug klase-klaseng utan para naa mi makaon. Usahay, makatabang pako sa mga silingan kay mangayo man sila ug naa pud mupalit ginagmay sa mga utanon.” she added.
[Because of COVID, there are really difficult times when we have nothing on hand. I fully engaged myself in gardening especially vegetables that are easy to grow. Aside from the fun it brings, we also have food to eat. I even share it to my neighbours, and sometimes, they prefer to buy it.]
Currently, Gloria underscored that she is grateful with the opportunity given to her in producing face masks under the cash-for-work program of the project, “Combatting COVID-19 through Women’s Empowerment and Work Opportunities in Rural Communities (WE-WORK)”.
According to her, she was able to produce more than 50 washable face masks in three days. After her hardwork in making these masks, she and her co-dressmakers were able to receive Php 2,742 each as an intervention of the project’s temporary and short-term employment for women.
She expressed that aside from being productive, she knows that it will be a big contribution to the people on the frontline especially the health professionals who will benefit from the masks they have produced.
Meanwhile, after receiving the cash, she immediately went to the market to buy groceries and allocated some of her money as capital for her small business – selling Filipino rice treats and delicacies such as biko and suman.
“Naka-negosyo ko gamay sa akong nadawat na kwarta sa paghimo ug face mask. Gihimo nako ug capital. Gipalit nako ug ingredients para sa kakanin. Karun, nitubo ang kwarta labaw pa sa akong nadawat. Nag-pasalamat ko kay nakatabang ang project sa amo labaw na sa among pang adlaw-adlaw na panginahanglanon. Padayun ko nga manahi ug mamaligya sa akong kakanin para sa akong pamilya.” she added.
[I started a small business on food treats out of the income I received from making face masks. Now, the profit increases more than the amount I received from the project. I am very thankful that the project helped us sustain our daily needs. I will continue making face mask and doing the business for the benefit of my family.]
Indeed, her small steps, took her to a greater purpose and a bigger contribution not just for her family but as well as to her community.
As of this day, Gloria’s group in Tubod which is composed of five members has already produced 232 face masks and continuing to make it until the packaging of the products.
The provision of emergency livelihoods and health assistance to poor communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak through the WE-WORK project is made possible through the funding of Centre for Disaster Philanthropy in partnership with Relief International and ECOWEB.
