Cherry prepares the ingredients for her barbeque marinade. To make ends meet, she sells grilled meats each afternoon in her neighborhood of Barangay Poblacion, Araceli, Palawan.
Story and Photos by Shirin Bandari
Cherry Cuberos, 50, is a leader of a livelihood group for women in Purok 2, Barangay Poblacion, Araceli, Dumaran Island, Palawan. The remote village suffered immensely when Typhoon Odette (Rai) devastated homes, roads, and public infrastructures in December 2021. Close to a year after the storm, the European Union Humanitarian Aid together with ACCORD Philippines provided crucial support through shelter repair, and cash assistance, and intervened in a project designed to engage and encourage participation and leadership among women.
Cherry is a working mother of four. She takes on multiple jobs to be able to feed her family. Her town suffered immensely when Typhoon Odette (Rai) made landfall in December 2021.
The European Union Humanitarian Aid, CARE, and ACCORD provided cash assistance and livelihood programs to those affected by Typhoon Odette (Rai). Through this, the Women’s Association in Barangay Poblacion, Araceli set up a compact general store to provide for the needs of the community at affordable prices.
Women and girls who survive disasters face overwhelming risks and immediate consequences such as displacement, trauma, sexual violence and exploitation, health services disruption, and financial instability, which can lead to devastating short- and long-term effects.
Cherry works part-time at the General Store run by women. She assists in the inventory of stocks and balances the daily sales ledger. The island’s remote location makes it difficult for supplies to reach the area. The newly opened General Store comes as a welcome relief to the community.
“When Typhoon Odette came, it was hard to move on from what happened to my home and family. My livelihood and earnings were affected. But through the help of the European Union Humanitarian Aid and ACCORD, we are very thankful that our Women’s Association was able to set up a General Store that sells groceries at affordable prices.” Cherry adds. “This General Store is part of the livelihood program which has become an invaluable addition to the community, the women who work with us are able to get enough for their daily expenses. It also provides groceries on loan for women in our area who are struggling to feed or put their children through school.” Cherry Cuberos explains.
“Some women in our association are single mothers and are unable to support their families. At the same time, others make rice cakes or have opened small carinderias. We allow them to take goods on loan from the General Store, in case they are short on supplies. They repay us once the food is sold. This way we support other small businesses to grow and see a return on investment”
Through Cherry’s devotion to her women’s association and volunteerism, she is able to provide for her family and serve as an inspiration, by encouraging others to band together to rebuild what was lost and be contributing members of their community.
A mother with her infant visits the local barangay health center where Cherry has volunteered her time for the past 20 years.
Cherry meets with the Women’s Association at the Barangay Hall to discuss new ideas on ways to improve their livelihood. She encourages others to join them so more can benefit from the program “They just need to trust us to have a good relationship. We are here to help them and the community.”
Cherry monitors an infant’s temperature. She has proven to be a devoted member of the Araceli community.
Essential health services were abruptly put on hold when Typhoon Odette hit the shores of Araceli. Today, Cherry is able to assist the local nurses and doctors to tend to local patients.
Tuberculosis remains a pressing issue in the islands of Palawan. Cherry has been trained to test swab samples of patients so they may know their current health status.
“It is my dream that my children can finish their studies. I invite others to keep our barangay clean. I hope that I can continue to help the people in my community.”
