Becoming a channel of God to help other people is one of the callings of a humanitarian worker of Good Neighbors working in the field of Prieto Diaz Community Development Project.
She is Maidy May Duran, an Income Generation, Energy and Environment, and DRR Staff-In-Charge. She also grew up as a sponsored child in an international NGO. This gave her an idea of what humanitarian organizations do and how dedicated the humanitarians are to delivering programs and services to their sponsored children.
She was very grateful for all the help she received. Through this, she felt the desire to do the same thing and become a humanitarian worker. Immediately after her graduation, she eagerly found her home, the Good Neighbors Philippines.
“It is my turn to become the channel of God to help other people who are most in need. It is just like returning the favor,” she said.
Memorable experience as Humanitarians of Good Neighbors
Working in this time of pandemic was her most memorable experience as a humanitarian. Many have lost economic opportunities and while others have severely decreased their income. The situation was further exacerbated when enhanced community quarantine and community lockdowns began to implement across the country which caused extreme hardship to many people particularly in the town of Prieto Diaz.
Witnessing the situation of people broke Maidy’s heart. But, it also inspired her to work hard and extend the help of Good Neighbors to the children and community.
Different programs were still initiated, together with strong support from the Local Government Unit of Prieto Diaz through the Municipal Health Office. The Prieto Diaz Field Office initiated the Soy Milk Production and Processing to supplement the nutritional needs of the children, senior citizens, and lactating mothers in the community. While the production of soybeans was taken care of by some Income Generation Groups assisted by the Department of Agriculture – Region V.
Furthermore, financial assistance was also provided to the Income Generation Groups to re-establish their small businesses under the Micro Business Pandemic Loan Program.
The most challenging thing about your job
Seeing the real situation of people in the community especially in the remote areas who are struggling to survive in their daily living is the most challenging for Maidy as a humanitarian worker. But, despite these challenges, she strived to become and remain positive that encourages people to face their everyday life challenges, and inspires them to do something that will make them successful someday.
Best day at work
The best day she had at work is when seeing people in the community happy and that they appreciate all of our efforts in delivering good neighbors programs and services to their children and community. Creating a big impact on the projects executed in the community is also the best day for her.
Greatest lesson learned as a Humanitarian Worker
“The greatest lesson I have learned as a humanitarian worker is to stay humble and learn to listen,” Maidy said.
Most of the people in the community are very hesitant to open up their feelings, thoughts, and opinions for the fear that they might just be ignored too embarrassed to approach and communicate with you.
“As a humanitarian worker, you should always be the first to approach people in the community to make them feel recognized and to give them the confidence and courage to talk to you,” she added.
Maidy said that humanitarian workers choose a great and fulfilling job. However, there will be times that we would get tired but the heart would dictate to continue. The heart will prevail. The heart wins.
