By *Rafqa
I used to have a simple and quiet life. Even with six kids, all boys, we could eat thrice a day. We were happy with what we had. Even if life was hard, we could afford to send our children to school. Our dream as parents was to see our children graduate one day.
But all our dreams vanished after the most tragic trial imaginable struck our family. My husband was found dead under a bridge in a forest park in Camarin, Caloocan City. He had a rope around his neck and bruises on his chest, above the eyebrow—totally lifeless.
It was so devastating to receive the news that something so unimaginably evil had just happened to him. It was also so hard because I lost my partner in life and the father of my children. I reached the point of being so stressed that I spiraled down into depression because of the sudden turn of events, especially remembering the circumstances of my husband’s death. I kept on thinking, “What’s going to happen to us?” We lost him just like that. I had even attempted suicide, and planned on taking the lives of my children as well. I had tied them up, but their crying alerted the neighbors who started knocking on our door. I believe Divine Providence saved us that day.
My husband was found dead under a bridge… He had a rope around his neck and bruises on his chest, above the eyebrow—totally lifeless.
Life continued to be bleak and seemed hopeless. That was until someone approached me and introduced to me Program Paghilom, which was under Fr. Flavie Villanueva’s care. The 7 PSIs (psycho-spiritual interventions) helped me a lot. I started trusting people again. That was the first thing I regained. I also learned how to speak in public. I started to have self-confidence and to be able to share my story with others.
I’m thankful to the program for everything it has done for me, especially to Fr. Flavie Villanueva who trusted in us and shared a listening ear.
I am Rafqa of Program Paghilom, Batch 16.
*Not her real name. Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.
