Meet Junel. With a large family, Junel had to work tirelessly before and after school just to make ends meet. He explains, “life in the province is really challenging.” When two of his siblings, twins, passed away the family was crushed with sadness. They tried to find a way to carry on, but the money was scarce and the weight of grief was heavy.
As soon as he graduated, Junel decided to move to the big city of Manila to search for a better life. He knew the city had challenges of its own, but saw no other option to support his family. Just like in high school, he worked odd jobs day and night to put food on the table. Desperate for an escape, he started gambling online and soon became addicted. Gambling promised high rewards, but only left Junel feeling guilty and discouraged.
Time had passed and he now had a wife and two children. He knew he could not waste away his life in a distant city, working day and night with no end. The final sign to return home was when he received a call from his wife that his daughter was in the hospital. She had convulsions and a high fever, and the family could not afford the high medical bills that followed. Junel felt horrible that he was not home, so he immediately returned to be near his family.
He could not afford to be home without working, so he found a job at Dignity to support them. His family’s daily needs are now met and he dreams of his children finishing their education. The feeling of being lost and alone started to fade as Junel was filled with hope at his new job. A way forward seemed possible, and he did not have to sacrifice being close to family any longer.
