People say giving up means losing. But not for a mother struggling to keep her children alive. Giving up is just one setback meant to move forward.

Maymay Kusangloob, 37 years old, is a solo parent. Coming from the Hanunuo tribe of Mangyan from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, with three children, Maymay raises her kids alone after her husband died four years ago.

When Maymay’s husband was still alive, their family has been living well compared to others. They tend to their own land inherited from their ancestors. They are able to keep sacks of rice in their house because of good harvest. Unfortunately, things changed when her husband suffered an accident when he fell from a tree.

Assuming that her husband will be healed from the accident on his own and with the help of traditional method, it took them 12 days before bringing him to a hospital. When they brought him to the hospital, because of his weak state, he eventually died.

Meanwhile, the siblings of her husband have been looking for an opportunity to take over their land. Maymay even accounted that when they brought her husband to the hospital, her in-laws grabbed the chance and took over their land and sacks of rice that they’ve stacked up in their house.

With the death of her husband and fear for her children, Maymay chose to give up their claim to their land and left for the safety of their family. Same with her surname, Kusangloob, Maymay willingly left their home to secure her children’s future. Although in the same municipality, at least they do not belong to the same area or vicinity with her husband’s family.

Four years have passed and Maymay managed to raise her kids alone. With small income coming from various activities such as pagnanami, pagwawalis, kaingin and selling crops, Maymay struggled in providing for her kids. Her sister’s child also lives with her but Maymay doesn’t think of her niece to be a load to her. She welcomed her with open arms and cared for her like her own.

Maymay always tells her children that they should not stop going to school even though they are poor. “Nagsisisi po talaga ako na hindi ko napilit ang aking mga magulang na makatapos ako ng pag-aaral. Hindi siguro ako mahihirapan na buhayin ang aking mga anak at madaling makahanap ng tabaho kung nakapag-aral lang sana,” said Maymay.

She said that she is thankful that her children loves to go school and doesn’t need to be pressured in getting up early in the morning. When her husband was still alive, they inculcated the value of education to their children’s minds.

Providing for her children alone is a difficult task. Maymay is grateful to have found another partner in supporting her children’s needs – the Pantwid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Being a part of the program last 2012, Maymay somehow managed to provide their needs in school projects and assignments.

The program is a big help to their family. With only seasonal work, they cannot be sure if how long their savings for today can last until she finds another task to accomplish. With the program, at least she doesn’t have to worry much for her children’s allowance.

Others may not see her as a strong woman because they left their land and did not fight for their right. But turning your back also requires strength. Putting your loved ones first above any claim is also a sign of being strong. The hardwork that they’ve put in their land may be regretful to others but the decision to leave takes one to be selfless – and that is also called bravery. ###