STREET SWEEPER for 27 YEARS: single mom in Baguio supported 6 children till they finished college

Baguio City, Philippines - A mother’s love and hard work can overcome all odds. This is shown by a single mom in Baguio City who was able to raise her six children and to send them to college by being street sweeper.

For more than two decades, the streets of Baguio became the second home for Nanay Yolanda Liis.

Every 8 o'clock in the morning, Nanay Yolanda starts her day by sweeping and collecting trash in the Central Business District, Baguio City. She’s been doing her daily routine for twenty-seven years now.

Yolanda has single-handedly supported her family when her husband passed away in 1995 due to "bangungot" or sleep paralysis, a sudden cause of death during sleep. Since then, she’s been the only one providing for her children, four sons and two daughters.

Nevertheless, through her hard work as a street sweeper, Yolanda managed to send all of her children to school. Eventually, they have all graduated from college and are leading successful careers.

In her interview with the media, Yolanda expressed her satisfaction over the achievements of her children through her sacrifices. According to her, seeing her children now having jobs and starting their own families brings her joy. Despite all the challenges their family faced, they managed to thrive.

“...nakaleppas da amin. Idi nakaleppas da amin adaen ti trabaho da. Kadagitoy nga nakaleppas dan, magin-awaan nakun ah,” she shared.

Her son Melchor Liis, meanwhile, thanked her mom for her unrelenting efforts to raise them.

He acknowledged the struggles and sacrifices Yolanda faced just to provide them a better future.

“Napakalaking pasasalamat namin sa Diyos. We believe na ang Diyos ang tumulong sa aming ina para mapalaki kami na ganito, kahit simple lang,” Melchor added.

Despite her children’s success, Nanay Yolanda continues her work as a street sweeper since it has become a significant part of her life. According to her, she remains dedicated to her job to maintain the cleanliness of the city.