A hero in his simple ways
With his fellow mat makers.
I thought that no one would labor without money as a return because of the economic crisis that we are facing. Money is the main reason why people work hard.
Thus, it's easy to forget to spend time with one's neighbor and the community. It seems that no one already cares for those who surround him except himself and his family.
But, my perception changed when I met a man who exerts his best in helping his community to be progressive and not thinking of financial returns.
Dionisio Castro, a farmer with six children, joined the geotextile project of Barangay Magamay in the province of Guimaras.
During the geotextile process.
Manong Dionisio skillfully make doormats out of twined coconut husks. He does not view it as an alternative income when he joined the project but his primary purpose is to help his community to attain progress.
Twining and weaving coconut husks to become geotextile is a viable source of alternative income to other community folks. This is the very reason why many joined the project. But, for Manong Dionisio, it’s just an additional perk, what matters big is that he is helping. Out of 25 members, Manong Dionisio is the lone male. When I asked him of the said matter, he said that other males would prefer to do other works that earn instant money. This simply shows that Manong Dionisio’s dedication to help his barangay is immeasurable.
Manong Dionisio works with compassion. You can not hear him complain even if he is exerting a lot of time and effort for the project.
Even if there are jobs that he can do to earn a good income, still, he devotes his time in making doormats and assisting and teaching others to weave.
Manong Dionisio’s work is labor with a heart. One that gives him satisfaction, fulfillment and complete happiness. His endeavor implies the true meaning of service, wherein one does not expect anything in return.
Heroes are not only those who fight for our country but all those people who, despite the financial crisis, are still able to exert effort for the betterment of his community. A hero like Manong Dioniso. (Reprinted from Coco News)