A Filipina Mother of Eight Explains How Hard Life Really Is

For many families, poverty isn't just about earning less money.

It's about deciding how to stretch a single meal, walking long distances every day, and doing whatever work is available just to keep children in school.

During our interview, Josephine, a 35-year-old Indigenous Filipina (Aeta) mother of eight, shared the reality of raising a large family with very limited resources.

"Sometimes my children go to school without food because life is really hard."

Her story reflects the daily challenges faced by many families across the Philippines.

Raising Eight Children

Josephine is the mother of eight children.

She had three children from her first relationship and five from her second.

Her oldest children have already started families of their own, while the younger five remain in school.

Despite raising them largely on her own, she continues to make education her highest priority.

She believes that finishing school offers her children the best chance of escaping poverty.

Taking Any Job She Can Find

Every day is different.

Josephine accepts almost any honest work available.

She washes clothes, cleans houses, and even helps direct parking whenever opportunities arise.

Sometimes neighbors pay her in cash.

Other times they give her rice, hot dogs, eggs, or other food instead of money.

Every small contribution helps feed her family.

Keeping Her Children in School

Although life is difficult, Josephine continues sending her younger children to school.

She described walking long distances with them every morning before returning home and later walking back again to pick them up.

There are days when school lunches and allowances simply aren't possible.

Still, she encourages her children to stay focused on their education.

She reminds them that finishing school may open doors that she never had.

Living Without Electricity

One of the most difficult parts of the interview was hearing how her family's living conditions changed after separating from her partner.

Without enough money to pay utility bills, their electricity was disconnected.

Today, the family relies on simple lamps for light during the evening.

Even under these conditions, Josephine continues working every day to improve life for her children.

Support From Family and Community

Josephine explained that her parents and siblings, who still live in the mountains, occasionally send vegetables or offer assistance when they can.

Her older children also visit and sometimes help when possible.

During the interview, viewers watching the livestream even offered financial assistance after hearing her story.

These moments highlight how community support can make a meaningful difference for families facing hardship.

Hope Despite Hardship

Josephine never asked for an easy life.

She simply wants the opportunity to raise her children with dignity.

Despite long days of physical work, financial uncertainty, and raising five school-aged children, she continues moving forward one day at a time.

Her determination reflects the quiet resilience found in many Filipino mothers who work tirelessly behind the scenes for their families.

FAQ

How many children does Josephine have?

She is the mother of eight children, with five younger children still attending school.

What kind of work does she do?

She accepts various part-time jobs, including washing clothes, cleaning houses, and other temporary work whenever opportunities are available.

Why is education so important to her?

She believes education offers her children the best opportunity to build a better future and break the cycle of poverty.