Metamorphosis_Kalahi-CIDSS Compendium 2015

However, she stayed for one reason – her community. “I value my community very much. I
want it to be developed from within, and the people see the value of development,” she said.
Manang Elsie said it felt a little intimidating at first to be speaking in a community where
culturally, words of men are likely to be heard and sought. It did not dissuade her. The
elderly lady related how she felt a strong sense of empowerment when she first stood and
spoke in front of the community assembly.
Eventually, these speaking engagements somehow broke the societal structure system where
men dominate the decision making and leadership roles in her community.
Manang Elsie stood out to be a leader in her barangay triggering a ripple effect on women in
the other villages. Throughout Besao, there is not one committee formed without a woman
member.
Now, the voices of women are sought especially in community-related decisions. “I hear
people expressing themselves. No, we are not going to be silent anymore,” Manang Elsie
said.
These experiences and learnings manang Elsie gained as a community volunteer of Kalahi
CIDSS were more than what she expected.
On December 2014, Manang Elsie was announced as the Best Community Volunteer in
the senior division of the first BayaniKa! Awards of the Kalahi CIDSS from nominations
nationwide.
It would seem to be a Pandora’s Box for the elderly lady. She never dreamt of stepping
abroad but she did. Her exemplary volunteerism brought her far from Besao into the Big
Apple – New York, USA – and not just for any ordinary purpose but to address the world
through the United Nations.
“I never thought I, being a woman and simply a volunteer, would get this great opportunity.
It is as if I am dreaming,” a beaming Manang Elsie related.
In her UN speech, she talked about how she made it a personal advocacy to let the public
know about the benefits of volunteerism and push the government know that participatory
government is the best approach to go develop communities.
“By allowing citizens to implement project, we will end hunger, poverty and powerlessness,”
manang Elsie shared. Currently, Manang Elsie is receiving invitations to talk to various
audiences as a motivational speaker.//
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