Serving Unconditionally

Posted on July 8, 2022

Joana Marie found joy in serving without expecting anything in return.

How does a person find joy in what they do? Some would answer it’s the financial return or the title attached to the work done. Some find satisfaction by knowing there is something to receive in exchange of efforts.

Some may wonder, are there still individuals willing to devote their time and energy even in the absence of a return? For Joana Marie Sanchez, they still do, and she is one of them.

Joana is a client of the CARD MRI Rizal Bank, Inc. (CARD RBI) in Lumban, Laguna. According to her, becoming a client of CARD has been a huge help for her over the last seven years. This is where she learned the value of savings.

Her savings had been a huge help for her family in times of joy and grief. Because of her savings, their family has purchased a tricycle and a motorcycle, which they now use to make a living. They were also able to purchase appliances for their daily lives. She was also able to provide financial support during her brother’s wedding. At the time of her parent’s passing, she was also relieved of any financial burden. CARD served as their shield to protect them against all of life’s challenges.

Having known the impact of a loved one passing away to a family, she voluntarily offered her time to CARD MRI Insurance Agency (CaMIA) as a Microinsurance Coordinator (MIC). CaMIA is an insurance agency for non-life insurance products. Joana Marie, as a MIC, promotes insurance products to clients. She discusses the benefits of purchasing insurance products and assists them in acquiring the insurance. “I’m not aiming for incentives on every insurance product I sell; I just want to help my co-members who are in need. Because it makes me feel better knowing I served them genuinely, even when I don’t get anything in return. In fact, hearing people express gratitude makes me feel even better.” Joana stated.

She is also proud that being an MIC has given her character development. This has strengthened her interaction skills with other people. Her confidence grew because of what she was doing. She used to be afraid of speaking in front of others, but now she can talk to anyone specially if it involves the importance of having a safety net in times of uncertainties.

Joana proves that if you are wholeheartedly willing to help your fellowmen, you will not hesitate to serve even without expecting anything in return.

Both CARD RBI and CaMIA are member-institutions of CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), a group of institutions with the goal of ending poverty in the Philippines.