Meet Mary Ann. When she became pregnant with her first child, she was disowned from her family and forced to drop out of college. She was devastated by the division in her family and sad that her dream of finishing education was no longer a reality. She had been working to put herself through school with only the support of her husband and was ashamed that her parents would not accept her.
Mary Ann tried to work overseas to escape the situation and make more money, but the plan fell through and she instead moved to the big city. In Manila she worked as a sales attendant and a grocery store attendant, but she desperately wanted to go home. Even in the city she felt unable to escape poverty which she had tried so hard to avoid.
Her and her husband continued their life together and had one more child, and they wanted their children to have a good education. They left the city behind to start fresh in their hometown and Mary Ann found a new job at Dignity. She started as a pressing machine operator, and after only a month she moved up to the grinding and pressing area. She found odd jobs to help out at the business and showed dedication to her work.
Mary Ann’s work was noticed by her supervisors, so she was asked to be promoted to the line leader. This was a great honor and she was nervous about the responsibility. But, with support and encouragement, Mary Ann decided to accept the role. She has been a thriving member of the community and grown so much at Dignity. Since being home, Mary Ann has reconciled with her family, seen her children do well in school, and helped her husband start his own fishing business. She hopes to eventually go back to finish her education and lives with a new sense of purpose and confidence in herself.
After a challenging time living and working in the city, Clint learned that he did not need to sacrifice being near family to provide for them.
