"I became challenged after being told that to qualify as beneficiary of the programme, I should have a husband with me," recalls Silvana Yoca when personnel from the Upland Development Programme first came to visit her place. A widow since 1987, Silvana managed to live by herself being a teacher to grade 5 pupils at Mamangan Elementary School , San Isidro , Davao del Norte.

"At first I was disheartened, but I asked myself why can't I learn and apply the technology taught by UDP even without their assistance?" she countered. Since she saw the transformation of the farms assisted by the programme, she asked the municipal agricultural technician who is also working with the programme to help and teach her. She then availed of a loan from GSIS and poured her efforts into developing the 3.75 hectares sloping area into a diversified farm, now abound with fruit trees, vegetables, forest trees and the very visible hedgerows.

"Before, I used to worry and wonder what will I do with my life. I am a widow with no child. I have a high blood pressure and a heart problem already. Since I am the only child of my father’s second wife, I could not run immediately to relatives to help me. I sold or gave the other lands I owned since I thought I don’t need so much of it anymore and this sloping area was left for me," Silvana relates.

Then she saw the opportunity for change posed by the programme, only that she was initially rejected. But her being a widow didn't stop her from taking the challenge once more and rebuild her dreams and secure her future. She sought some trusted workers in her neighborhood and paid them to help her in her farm.

Now, she proudly compares that her income has increased more than tenfold since then. For example, her 110 coconut trees before would yield only about P1,000 while she is getting more than P15,000 now at P13.00 per kilo. She can gather more than a thousand kilos of coconuts per harvest.

After a day’s work, Silvana relaxes in her small rustic bamboo hut, complete with television, a refrigerator and a CD/radio component. She also lives with her niece whom she sends off to school as her scholar. She will also be finally included in the third batch of recipients of UDP’s assistance in the form of seedlings and other farm implements.

"I don’t have so much grandiose dreams in my life anymore. I don’t even need a big concrete house for myself. I’ve had my share of downfalls and other experiences. For now, I am just waiting when my lanzones trees will finally bear fruit,” she tells the UDP group who has come to visit her to ask for her story.

U ntil then, Silvana eagerly declares that we are very welcome to come back and visit her to share the harvest soon. She is indeed a great fighter and a fine woman as an example of indefatigable determination despite the initial rejection.