Not known for her smiles, Isabel was always seen pouting in the corner. It is not indicative, however, of who she is as a person, but of all the things that she faces day in and out.
Isabel used to work in the restaurant industry. She would get part-time work with long shifts and little pay. Working long hours would tire her out so much that she would go home exhausted, but would still take care of her three children and the household.
Her dreams to have three college graduates motivate her to work so hard. Her children are 13, 11 & 8 years old. School fees, uniforms, food and basic necessities all add up, and she doesn’t want to sacrifice anything. She also wishes to give back to her parents while they are still alive.
She worked selflessly and tirelessly, and eventually exhaustion caught up to her. Isabel got sick for over a month. Everyone thought that she was going to die, even Isabel. With her fervent prayers, and with her family taking care of her, she was able to recover. However, she can no longer work as hard as she did before, lest she gets sick again with over-exhaustion. It was devastating for her to realize what a huge dent this would be financially - it would decrease her ability to provide for her family’s needs.
When she heard about Dignity, she took the opportunity to work again, especially when she found out that she would have normal working hours and shorter shifts. At Dignity, she is tasked with collecting coconut water, as well as making sure that her department area and the washing crates are clean. She fully enjoys working with Dignity, where she is able to provide again for her family, work towards her dream, and still have enough rest when she gets home. She is working without having to push herself to the limit.
Isabel says, “Since working with Dignity, my life has improved a lot.” She now has a good balance between work and her personal life. She’s found a reason to smile more and is thankful for all that she has.
