The welfare program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints aims to care for those in need while teaching principles that promote self-reliance and self-respect, regardless of religious affiliation.
For the Abalos family of the Tuguegarao North Philippines Stake (diocese), their lives changed for the better through the Member Welfare Program (MWP), a program of the Church designed to build self-reliance among Filipino families.
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In 2011, the Abalos family participated in the MWP that was introduced to members of the Amulung Ward (congregation). Under this program, families are counseled to start a vegetable garden and are given two piglets. With feed and technical support, the family is entrusted to raise the two piglets to become future sows. They are also taught lessons in managing personal finances to further enhance their path toward self-reliance.
Dominador Abalos, the head of the household, shared how the program gave their family hope for a brighter future:
We used to only have a small garden in our backyard. Since I had no stable income, we relied on our neighbor's tiny rice farm for work. But with the Church's help through the Member Welfare Program, I was able to convert my dormant land into a commercial vegetable farm. Now, our lives are better than ever!
Today, the Abalos family remains active in the Church and in their farm activities. Their business in commercial gardening has provided a stable income for the family. They were also able to send three of their children on full-time missions: two have returned home with honor while one is currently serving in the field. Their eldest child, Develyn, is currently employed in their local government as a clerk; their son David, who recently returned from his mission, plans to take up an Agricultural course in college starting next semester.
Willie Estrada, the Welfare and Self-Reliance Services (WSRS) manager assigned in Tuguegarao, testified of the blessings that the Church's inspired program can bring to the lives of the people:
The Member Welfare Program will not only help participants to feed their families, but it will also serve as a stepping stone to for them to achieve greater self-reliance. It also teaches individuals and families to appreciate the many opportunities and blessings already available to them.
This program also aims to help people understand that they have a significant responsibility to improve the present condition of the future generation. Through this, we are obeying God's two greatest commandments - to love Him and to love our fellow brothers and sisters.
Self-Reliance Services
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Welfare and Self-Reliance Services aims is to follow Jesus Christ by embracing the two great commandments to love God and love our neighbors. This is done through ministering to the temporal needs of people, building their spiritual and temporal self-reliance, and blessing both givers and receivers. Participants of the various welfare programs receive guidance and training that will help them learn practical steps to become self-reliant and provide for themselves as well as their families.