Emelda Macahilos

Living in the far flung Barrio Bolisong from the bustling young city of El Salvador, the humble abode of forty nine (49) year old Mrs. Emelda Macahilos has been the nest of her brood for more than four decades. Putting food on the table and sending their children to school has always been of budgetary priority for Maam Emelda and her husband. Roof under their heads to weather the seasons were what they could only provide.

 

“Permiro lisud gyud kaayo among sitwasyon kung asa mi mag CR, labi na maatlan kung gabie,” recalls Maam Emelda. Back then, a makeshift restroom made of neglected fallen branches and used tarpaulins was constructed for the common use of the family.

 

Despite the financial hardships the couple realized the benefits of joining the cooperative through one of their relatives. They were then engaging in the raring and selling of native hogs. It was during the member’s loan orientation in OIC El Salvador Branch that she was informed of the WASH loan product. It was an answered prayer.

 

Maam Emelda went through the process of application and verification of her qualification for the said loan product. She was granted forty thousand pesos (Php 40,000.00) for house renovation payable in four (4) months. The rising price of construction materials was a challenge for the couple. But with uncompromising restraint and perseverance, they pulled through.

 

“Hayahay na gyud ang pamati nga naa na sa sulod sa panimalay ang CR sir. Dili na sya hadlok ug nagsunod siya sa health sanitation standard nga gipahamtang sa gobyerno. Layo siya sa infection kay kami ra gyud makagamit,” the mistress of the house say with glee.

 

What was basic and taken for granted by most, was then unrealizable for the Macahilos family. The WASH loan may not have financed the project to the last centavo, but it definitely paved the way for the realization of a once impossible dream.