I am one of 72 community workers of Bukas Palad Foundation of the Philippines. Back as a child, I had met the Focolare Movement and the Bukas Palad (BP) Social Center through my parents. In a big family of twelve, I am the eldest with seven brothers and four sisters. Together we have faced many of life’s trials.

When I was 10, we had our first real experience of hunger. Five of my younger siblings developed third degree malnutrition, and doctors declared one sister to have a 50-50 chance of survival, so we brought them to the hospital. My parents then entrusted our younger sister to God because she was having great problems. However, due to the intense care and love of BP staff for my family, little by little, my siblings all recovered. They were given food and medicine.

That time, left at home to wash clothes, I also cooked food for my siblings in the hospital. I also cleaned the house. When my five siblings recovered, Bukas Palad continued to supply food, medicine, and milk and gave us instructions on healthy nutrition. We came to know the Focolare and Bukas Palad Social Center better, and they helped us with our daily needs. Moreover, BP lent us capital to start up a small store selling fried bananas and sweet potatoes. Gradually, our family’s financial situation improved.

One evening, in 1994, our house caught fire and burned down, together with our small store which was the source of our daily needs. It was as if the sky had come tumbling down! We got away with only the clothes on our backs. The local government offered temporary lodging for fire victims, and my family was among those who received help. Aid came from various organizations, but it was not enough.

Bukas Palad heard about us, and at once they sprang into action, sending us clothes and food. Then the day came when we had to leave the temporary house we had occupied, because the owner needed it. Yet we didn’t know where to go.

Great was our gratitude when my grandmother offered us her house which was almost falling apart as it was really old. I prayed at once to God to help us because we were fourteen in the family, and grandma would have had a difficult time with us. During the home visit of BP community workers, they realized our plight. They immediately helped us repair the house, with GI sheets and wood, and even procured some kitchen and table utensils.

Those times were hard. It was like starting from zero. Our life changed. Papa, who used to drink and smoke occasionally, started drinking and smoking on a regular basis. When drunk, he would come home and beat us half to death, and mother almost died from his battering. We developed a phobia for our father. Yet because of the love BP workers had taught us, only faith in God’s love was our answer and we offered prayers for the day when Papa would change.

I was in first year of secondary school, when chosen by BP to be part of the Adoption-at-a-Distance program, also known as the Supportat- a-Distance program. Through it, I finished a vocational course in a private school, with free school supplies and food. Some of my siblings were also chosen too for the Support-at-a-Distance program. Hard work paid off as I was recognized by the company where I did my OJT (On the Job Training).

Every peso I earned now went to help my family until the job contract was finished. After that, I looked for another job, roaming the streets daily, but I couldn’t find one. BP asked if I wanted to attend a 16-day course at their School of Life program. It wasn’t easy, as I was shy and didn’t mix too much with other people. When a community worker would come to our house, I would hide behind the door or under the bed or wherever I could fit. But due to the School of Life program, little by little, my perspective on life changed. Through the constant presence of BP staff in my life, I began to mature and realize what my lifemission was.

I started to share my time with fellow students at the Support-at-a-Distance program, offering tutorial lessons to those who had difficulties in school. It was such a good feeling to be of help to others! I also learned how to deal with different kinds of people. Now I myself am a community worker of BP, at their School of life program. My faith in God has really been strengthened.

A great mystic once wrote, “The more you love God, the more trials come.” One of these trials was my father’s sickness, due to the neglect and abuse of his body. He suffered a stroke. We spent a huge amount of money for hospitalization. Gradually, my father came to realize all the mistakes he committed in life. He changed completely! We started to feel his love for us and for mother.

Even if he was sick, he would find ways to go earn a living. He would approach different people. He would no longer beat us up and we felt the goodness in his heart. He would urge us to go to church every Sunday, and we had a chance to return his love as well.

One year passed after his stroke. He became weaker, little by little. His condition affected the whole family. When we learned from his doctor that they were just waiting for his last moments, due to complications, we were overcome with emotion. We realized that Papa had been trying to make up for the past, and to make up with us too. God gave us signs that He would be taking Papa. So after what I learned from the Focolare and BP, I helped my family understand his situation and what was to come.

Bukas Palad prepared Papa for his encounter with our Father in Heaven last May 21, 2011, and they assisted at his funeral. Now that Papa is gone, we have been trying to rebuild the family once again. It is painful, but we have to accept whatever we have now. We know that wherever Papa is now, he is in the fullness of love, peace and joy! Now, as the eldest child, I also support the family. At present, along with other volunteers, I help facilitate the School of Life program at Bukas Palad. I’ve been able to share my experience in different places. I’m also attending college to study Social Work. I’ve chosen this course because of the community we serve and the kind of work we do. All my experiences have encouraged me to continue loving, as the Focolare and BP have taught us, and they have become the foundation for a more fulfilled life. They are spurring me on, especially in facing trials, and being vigilant and more prayerful, so that my other siblings can understand, see and appreciate that whatever happens in life, it is always a manifestation of God’s immense love for us.

Emman Nombre