Anawim Is My Home ... to My Last Breath

Leonila ‘Lola Leony’ Delorino Lobog, 65 years old, was born in Jolo, Sulu, on December 16, 1952.

She lived with her family in Puerto Prinsesa— until alas, her parents separated.

She went with her mother to Samar. She studied in a high school there, but reached only second year.

At 17, she hied off to Manila to look for a job. Found a couple—cashier in a lodging house… then cashier in a mini restaurant… then more odd jobs.

In one of those workplaces,Leony had a co-employee, let’s call her Dina, who got involved with their boss — a married man. Dina got pregnant and gave birth to a baby girl she named Sarah Jane.

Soon, Dina moved on to another company, but she could not bring along her baby. So she left Sarah Jane to Leony’s care.

And kindly, selflessly, Leony stood as mother to Sarah Jane.

Sarah Jane grew to be a healthy, happy lady, found a boyfriend who kindly volunteered to support her college education, and even took Sarah Jane and Leony into his home.

On one unfortunate day, Leony was injured in a vehicular accident. She recovered from her wounds,but she had become less agile, since at the time, she was already getting old. Thus, she felt in her heart that she had become a burden to Sarah Jane. So she took matters into her hands. She consulted a social worker in an office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and asked that she be placed in a welfare home.

And the DSWD arranged that she be taken to Anawim.

Today, she lives in one of our beautiful cottages, enjoys nutritious meals, fresh comfortable clothes, and medicines she needs — not to mention the daily, loving service of her caregivers. Above all, she goes to Mass, attends worship and healing sessions, where God truly makes her feel He has not abandoned her.

Deeply grateful, Lola Leony helps in preparing the altar for our daily Masses. She also assists the elderly in the recitation of the Rosary. And she is a faithful intercessor for prayer petitions at the Adoration Chapel.

Lola Leony happily tells her story to Anawim visitors and always, at the end of her narration, she says, “Anawim is my home up to my dying breath. I am happy I find joy and peace here.”

SALAMAT SA DIYOS!