Arcel Silva

In fairytale stories, the King provides the most dazzling, splendid things within the castle. But for Arcel Silva, who works as a glass installer, his hope is just to get by everyday for the basic needs of his family and protect them from all forms of danger especially when he works outdoor while his family stays at home in Brgy Morales, Koronadal City. Oftentimes, this also means going out of his way. 

 

Early in the morning, Arcel goes to the worksite to start his day. He prepares the materials for installing sliding window, glass doors or cream doors and handles large heavy sheets of glass exposing him to some hazardous activities at work. The possible risk at the worksite is nothing for Arcel as he values hard work by doing the best he can and finds fulfillment in accomplishing the most he can, but there’s one basic thing that he is yet to fulfill– the family’s toilet facility.

 

Arcel is a member of KPS-SEED Microfinance Inc., in Koronadal Branch for 12 years now. He shared that before he began refurbishing their toilet facility, he only had some hallow blocks piled up on the ground and nothing more. He has long been imagining of putting up a fully concrete facility with tiles on the toilet wall or floor as it “feels good”. For Arcel, the look of a tiled toilet facility seems to create a very pleasant ambience and sets the mood of the household.  

 

“I got thrilled when I heard about WASH loan from KPS-SEED, I really wanted to avail of it right away but I knew I had to prioritize my regular loan first. So, I had to patiently wait and pay off my existing loan because I didn’t want to be burdened with multiple loans at the same time.” He narrated.

 

            With KPS-SEED’s community-based approach, a weekly center meeting is normally conducted where members would gather together to interact, discuss projects, or raise their concerns and suggestion on any matters concerning their performance as a member thus, empowering one another. One usual meeting, Arcel asked the Center Chief, the leader of the group who was also the first to avail of KPS-SEED’s MicroWASH on her thoughts about the program. He eagerly listened to her as he decodes each astounding idea he heard from the Center Chief fervently thinking when he could possibly start his own project as well.

 

            The day has come where Arcel has finally availed MicroWASH loan at PHP10, 000.00 which he paid twice a month for one year. The solitary moments of the hallow blocks have now rejoiced with the embellished tiles placed on the toilet wall and flooring, and access to shower with an installed water connection inside Arcel’s toilet facility.  

 

Though Arcel is one proud man for being able to provide this basic need to his family, he was also taken aback as he remembers the series of earthquakes that moved not only the grounds of the South but also his plans in continuing the construction. The materials he purchased were shaking, the piled up tiles shivered and almost fell off the ground. As he listened to the grounds vibrating, he couldn’t help but see his plans had shaken off. “I never imagined it would be finished sooner than I thought since we were hit by earthquakes during the construction of our toilet facility. Thankfully, God allowed me to finish what I had started.” He added.

 

            Arcel’s story may be far from those in fairytales but certainly, he is the little giant of their humble home who braved the earth’s tremors and does his best to protect his family for whatever its cost – and that is one real legend.