Learning to Nurture the Family
The story of Franciso Soriano Jr, SEED Project Participant

Francisco Soriano Jr, is a participant of the Strengthening Economic and Ecological Development in Barangay Simbalan (SEED) Project. Being a love child of an itinerant soldier and a local maiden, Francisco grew up in a broken family full of frustrations and seeking love and acceptance.

Because of these, Francisco developed drinking and gambling habits to help him release his frustrations in life. He retained these vices even after he got married to his wife Jessica and had four children. Later on, he became a pastor in his community but his drinking habits continued.

He said that he got depressed on seeing how his wife and children live in abject poverty. Although he worked hard to feed his family and send his children to school, the income he got from their rootcrop and vegetable farm was never enough to feed the whole family. They also find it very difficult to fetch water as the source is far from their home. These added to Francisco’s frustrations in life.

Before the project, Francisco’s family did not own any farm animal.  At the start of the project, Francisco was looking forward to receiving the animals from Heifer, thinking that these were the only benefit he could get. He did not imagine, however, that the project through the Cornerstones Workshop would help him change his perspective in life.

In the Cornerstones Workshop, Francisco realized that he could work for the betterment of his own family. He appreciated the Cornerstones Sharing and Caring and Gender and Family Focus. These made him reflect on his past and see the hope he had for his family. He said that the Cornerstones made him realize that “there is still a bright future for me and my family.”

After the Cornerstones Workshop, Francisco and his wife Jessica and their children have been very active participants in community undertakings. He ended his drinking habits and learned to set aside family savings from his sale of root crops instead of using the small income to buy liquors. He added that “the livestock we received will help us in farm activities and generate income for the family needs. We are committed to take care of the animals and pass-on to other needy families when time comes. I am proud to say that I have put the broken pieces of my life back through the Cornerstones and I am very inspired to work harder for my family and community.”

Francisco and Jessica Soriano with three of their six children

Today Francisco has put the broken pieces of his life together with the help of the project. He is proud to tell his story to his self-help group. His life was transformed, his heart has settled, and he finds inspiration to move on and keep striving.

back to top  >>