“And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
This is the guiding verse that Daisy Allocod has held on to throughout her life. Her modest demeanor and optimistic aura offers no clue to the challenges she has been through. Things began going downhill when her ex-husband left her with four children 13 years ago.
Her voice begins to quake as she reminisces. “We moved from one house to another, around three or four times. We got evicted because instead of paying the rent, I would allot the money for my kids’ school projects. There were times when I would rather walk long distances just to get to work and save money for my children.”
Daisy remembers when she only had 85 pesos in her pocket and was left with no choice but to pawn her bankcard to a money lending company. As a daily wage earner for an orphanage, every day was spent counting change and praying that they have enough, somehow. “I don’t know how God helped me provide for my kids when I almost had no money. At times, we had nothing to eat and my children had to endure that.”
Even with no end to the struggle in sight, Daisy remained strong, determined, and always positive and hopeful. She still considered herself blessed to have responsible, understanding children, who managed to win scholarships. But Daisy knew that to break the cycle of poverty, they needed to have a house of their own.
God answered her prayer.
“I prayed hard to God that He would help me buy a small house where I could retire. And I was so lucky! God gave me this house. I was overjoyed when I got selected as one of the beneficiaries. I still keep the letter I received that day,” Daisy recalls.
Daisy and her kids worked tirelessly with other homepartners in building new houses – a true testament of the Filipinos’ bayanihan spirit. In 2019, she finally got the key not only to their new home but also to the better life, she had always prayed for. “I’m so happy and grateful that I have a beautiful home for my kids and my future grandkids.”
With two college graduates, a working college student, a high school scholar, and a home they can call their own, Daisy is finally ready to retire. Asked about what else she wants, she answers, eyes brimming with tears of gratitude— “I only have one dream. I want to serve the Lord and give back all the blessings I’ve received from Him.”
