Dreams become reality

Geraldine Buhayan's family now have running water thanks to CAFOD's support [Annie Bungeroth]

Running water, three meals a day and going to school seemed impossible for many families in the Philippines five years ago - but not any more

After staff from the Josefina Parish Integrated Programme (JPIP) trained the Buhayan and Yap families on farming techniques and household budgeting, life has improved a great deal.

Since 2000, the Buhayan family has built a new house and now have piped spring water in their land. In 2000, they could barely put food on the table, but now produce more than enough to eat, selling some produce and sending all their children to school.

Besides training Silvestre and Ruth Buhayan, JPIP has also given them a water buffalo, a horse for transport, goats and fish for their pond.

Household budget

Life has improved enormously for Ruth Buhayan and her eight children since CAFOD's partner began supporting them [Annie Bungeroth]

Ruth, 47, says: “We used to buy food because we couldn’t produce enough for consumption but now we have other sources of income to help us if there are shortages.

"We grow maize, bananas, sweet potatoes and vegetables for our own consumption. JPIP’s household budgeting course helped us realise we need to eat these crops rather than try to sell them.

“We had to sell some of the animals to build this house but we hope to breed more."

One of Ruth’s eight daughters Rotchel, 18, notes many changes, saying: "Before, our house was so small and when CAFOD came to visit, people banged their heads on the door. Now our house is quite spacious.

"Before we had to walk a long way to collect water but now it’s right here. Before we used to have to go out looking for food like wild root crops if we had shortages but now we grow enough to feed us.”

Electricity and water

The Yap family can now afford solar powered electricity and piped water as their crops and livestock have flourished.

Jul Yap now has a flourishing coconut crop thanks to training from CAFOD's partner JPIP [Annie Bungeroth]

Jul Yap, 33, who is also JPIP’s sustainable agriculture worker, explains: “Some of the coconut trees were only just planted in 2000 but now they are all bearing lots of fruit.

"The soil has really recovered since then and it’s full of earthworms. We’ve also done contour farming so the slope has been flattened out.

“We had big expenses in 2003 because my wife Gina was ill with gastritis and had to go to hospital.

"We have bred ten cows since then so we could sell two of them to pay for Gina’s hospital costs."

Chemical free farming

"We use totally chemical free farming methods and grow enough to feed the family. I usually sell the peanuts and coconuts and I also sell chickens and sometimes a pig, a goat or a cow.

Marian May Yap helps looks after the goats her family received from CAFOD's partner JPIP [Annie Bungeroth]

“The latest thing is the water project. Last year the local water system was expanded so CAFOD helped us buy pipes so 18 households now have water.

"Before it would take us five minutes to walk down a steep hill to the water source but now it’s just a few steps from our house. It saves time and also we can use the water for the crops during dry season.

“I’m very thankful to CAFOD because much of the changes in our lives are due to CAFOD. My children couldn’t have this kind of life without CAFOD. Without this support I could not do what I’m doing on my farm or help our community like I do.”

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