Meet July. He was a successful construction worker and civil engineer graduate in the big city of Manila, when he decided to return to his neglected hometown. July remembers his hometown as a place of life and energy with many big events and important figures. However, as he got older, the town was overshadowed by the glamorous view of big city life.
But after July got married and began having children his life changed. With his wife and first child at home, working in the city began to lose its appeal. His time at home was very limited, and even though he was sending money back he was not content. Matters became more extreme when his wife began calling him every two weeks to let him know their child was sick with a fever. July could no longer bear to be away and was so sad not to be there in person to give support.
He found Dignity and became a pioneer employee, beginning in 2011. This allowed him to be closer to family and invest in his community. He and his wife had three more children and he began to serve as the village mayor which was a great honor. July had a mission of restoration and he was able to pour so much into his family and community because he did not have to worry about unstable income and very long commuting hours. July shares, “Working far away breaks families apart and takes away what is truly important. I want to reverse the narrative that the big city is better. Some may try going to Manila, but they always come back.”
