Amid the ruins of their fragile wooden house, left weak and worn by Super Typhoon Odette in December 2021, a mother and her daughter continued to live and endure the hardships of life. Though the walls had gaps that let the wind and rain inside, offering little protection, they never allowed their hopes to be broken.
At 86 years old, widow Juana Candog can barely hear and has been blind for almost two years. Her only child, Concepcion, 54 years old, mute, and mentally challenged, has become her voice, her strength, and her quiet companion. Though Concepcion has two children of her own, they no longer live with her and seldom offer support, and their father has also left her, leaving her feeling almost abandoned. Yet despite her own struggles, Concepcion remains devoted to her mother, expressing love not through words but through quiet acts of care. Juana, in turn, depends fully on her daughter’s silent support, and together they share a bond so strong that words are never needed.
Life was already difficult for them, but when Juana’s husband, Nelio, passed away, survival became even harder. To earn money, Concepcion began weaving bamboo baskets by hand. Each one sold for only 6 and 12 pesos in the town center, a kilometer away from their home. She would walk the long distance with determination, yet after all her hard work, she only earned about 200 to 230 pesos a week. During the rainy season, she could not make baskets at all because the bamboo gets soaked. At times, Concepcion’s son, who works as a farm caretaker, gave them a few kilos of rice. It was barely enough to survive, but still, mother and daughter faced each day with gratitude for what little they had.
“I have no one else to lean on; it is truly painful,” Juana shared, recalling the loss of her husband, Nelio. “But I am deeply grateful to God for the help we received from Tzu Chi Foundation. We cannot repay it, but God will surely bless them,” she added.
Despite this heartbreaking situation, their neighbor, Florencia Dalis, a 62-year-old widow and a Tzu Chi community volunteer for over a year, whose late husband was a relative of Juana, could not ignore their struggles. With a compassionate heart, she brought them food daily, recalling how life was once easier for the family when farming sustained them. Now, with only Juana’s senior pension and Concepcion’s basket-making, survival had become difficult. “I will continue to help them as long as I can,” Florencia shared. “As a volunteer, I’ve learned from Tzu Chi to give sincerely and expect nothing in return. I only pray that they will always have good health so they won’t have to suffer so much.”
Florencia also shared their situation with the Tzu Chi Foundation, which later extended help by repairing Juana and Concepcion’s home. She wept tears of joy, knowing she had brought hope into their lives. Her compassion reflected the Jing Si aphorism by Dharma Master Cheng Yen: “When you see others’ suffering, you feel compassion; when you see their blessings, you feel joy.”
When the day finally came for the repaired house to be turned over on August 15, 2025, tears of joy filled Juana’s eyes. With a heart full of gratitude, she gave thanks for the kindness that not only rebuilt their home but also uplifted their spirits. It was a powerful reminder that true happiness is not found in wealth, but in the love and compassion we give and receive from others.
On the wall of their old home hangs a faded photograph of their once-complete and joyful family. Though it reminds them of what was lost, it also reflects the strength they found even in their darkest times. Truly, it was a testament of what Dharma Master Cheng Yen taught us that life is filled with pain and suffering, but also with hope and love.
