LITTLE CASHIER. Stacy Dianne Lumahan, 11, attends to a customer as she works part-time in a bakeshop in Lambunao, Iloilo while studying. She said she wanted to help her parents and earn her own income. (Photo courtesy of MaR’s Em A. Lumahan)
ILOILO CITY – School days for 11-year old Stacy Dianne Lumahan start not by opening her modules but by opening the bakeshop in a public market.
While other learners engrossed themselves in answering modules following the start of classes in public schools, Lumahan found it a good option to work part-time in a bakeshop in her hometown in Lambunao, Iloilo.
She said she joined her mother to work in the bakeshop owned by their family friend and assisted her in the delivery of goods in April. Later on, her mother focused full time on deliveries and she was left to work in the bakeshop.
“I help in doing household chores and taking care of my siblings. As of now because of this pandemic and the class was modular, I prepared to work as 'tindera' (vendor) and cashier of a bakeshop here at Lambunao public market. I was also doing online business for an additional source of income and it can pay my taekwondo trainings,” she said in an interview Friday.
After opening the bakeshop at 7 a.m., she arranges and displays the pieces of bread on sale for the day.
She then starts reading her modules within the confines of the sweet-smelling aroma of bread.
She has no one to help her because her parents, Rodel and Emily, are both working as vendors, taking advantage of social media, sell their products online, and deliver them to their clients.
Stacy said she wanted to help them and earn income even if her parents tried to provide for their needs.
She recalled there were times she went to school without an allowance. Also, her materials for the school were bought in installment.
She earns PHP150 a day with free lunch. She then used the money she saved to buy a bicycle and other personal things and also gives some money to her mother when necessary.
“They are very supportive. They always ask me if I can cope,” she said.
Inspired by the business acumen of her parents, she also took advantage of social media to start an online business.
Through her Facebook account, she posts items such as shoes, bags, lingerie, and apparel.
“I still have time to study because it’s not all the time that we have customers, especially at this pandemic,” she said.
Her mother said since she and her husband are both busy, it seemed like Stacy has grown to be a responsible daughter and has learned to decide independently.
Stacy is enrolled in Grade 6 at Don Eugenio Ladrido Memorial Elementary School (DELMES) in Lambunao.
Just like any girl of her age, she also loves to sing, dance, do modeling, and play chess, among others.
With the threat of the coronavirus disease pandemic just lurking around the corner, Stacy makes sure to always observe health protocols such as wearing face shields and masks and frequent use of alcohol for disinfection while working. (PNA)
