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IAMRAFI: Eleven Years and Counting
The Story of Ariane A. Zarraga, Branch OIC,
RAFI Micro-finance, Inc. 11 Years in Service
By Marco Paulo Trajano Deligero | December 19, 2018
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Ariane Zarraga started working with RAFI Micro-finance, Inc. in 2007, formerly known as CMEDFI, as Trust Staff. Eleven years after, she is now a Branch Officer-In-Charge. This is the story of her career growth and celebration of her first decade in service.
On Her Journey to Being Part of RAFI
On August 7, 2007, Zarraga started her career with RAFI Micro-finance, Inc. as CMEDFI Trust Staff in Argao, Cebu before being assigned in Argao, Carcar City, and Dalaguete.
Four years later, she was transferred to the Minglanilla/Naga branch and eventually moved to the Talisay City and San Fernando town branches. During those times she was recognized as Best Trust Staff under her line manager Naomi Navacilla.
Still, after another two years, Zarraga was transferred to Argao area as the Assistant Branch Manager under her line manager Charen Rabasano. When her line manager was transferred to the Balamban branch, Zarraga assumed the role of officer-in-charge but was eventually transferred to the Balamban branch. She is now back in the Carcar City branch, where she has been since June 20, 2017.
On Working With RAFI Micro-finance, Inc. and on What Made Her Stay
Ownership of her job pushes Zarraga to do her best every single day, especially because she deals with different clients. Her job discipline goes beyond fieldwork, overtime, and ensuring 100% target collection.
“I love and enjoy my job. Every time I approach clients, my ownership of the job pushes me to do my best. I remember there were times when we had 100% target collections, and I was reminded by the words of my line manager, “’do not return to the office if there are still past due accounts,’”
For Zarraga, choosing this job means prioritizing the clients’ needs through sustainable entrepreneurial financial assistance over her personal convenience. The gratitude she receives and all those “thank you’s” are overwhelming, she says.
“This job means more than just being able to feed my family and send my children to a good school or buy things I really like… my job is my mission — to help people through the services I render to them. That’s the reason I am still here,”
Finding Meaning
Zarraga said that providing heartfelt service is her greatest contribution to this institution. For her, working without commitment is worse than not working at all.
“Every time I work, I do it from the heart and with commitment. You can only feel fulfillment if you are committed to doing good in what you do,”
Zarraga remembers when super typhoon Yolanda hit Bantayan Island hard, RAFI was among the first few responders to reach the place. She and her colleagues also helped out in packing relief goods at the Casa Gorordo Museum.
“I’m so proud of those times when I volunteered. I was one of those who gave Bantayanons their emergency packs. There was no time to rest, to be with family, to sleep but is all worth it because I know that I was rendering my time for the betterment of the survivors of Yolanda. For me, it gives me meaning to be a RAFInian,”
On Influencing Others and Career Impact
Being in a job and committing to it for the past 10 years is a very important feat for Zarraga. She believes that people should enjoy and be grateful for their jobs and do their obligations without hesitations in order to achieve success in their careers. She also hopes that one day, people will know her story and find inspiration from it.
On Her Biggest Career and Life Motivation
Family and being able to help provide for them are her biggest inspirations because every time she is faced with challenges, she eventually learns to solve these. This, she said, keeps her grounded and makes her value her work.
One of her inspirations is RAFI President & COO Dominica B. Chua after she heard the latter deliver an inspirational talk where Chua said, “Doing things from the heart is a great contribution you render to the community.”
“That makes me more inspired to do the job I’ve signed up for the last 10 years with this institution,”
On Her Greatest Career Accomplishment and Career Challenge
Zarraga said that being a RAFInian is her greatest career accomplishment.
“It is a great opportunity to do a mission that RAFI is dedicated to do,”
She also shared an experience where she was involved in a robbery holdup.
“I was so scared — I was shaking during that time. After the incident, I went through debriefing, and I realized that it is just one challenge of this job. I never thought of quitting,”
There was also a time when Zarraga got hospitalized due to her lack of sleep and inability to sleep well at night brought about by the demands of her job. Her family had to tell her to forget about work first so she could rest and recover.
On Being a RAFInian
“I treasure the fact that I am a RAFInian,” Zarraga said.
She said that this helps her to always follow policy and procedures in order to have a smooth flow of transactions.
“I am proud that I am part of the RAFI family, which keeps on inspiring and doing things for the community. I am proud that I get to take part in Touching People and Shaping the Future by providing them with services that help improve their lives,”
On Leaving a Mark
“Don’t aspire to be the best in the team but aspire to be the best for the team,” Zarraga said.
“Because as RAFInians, we are a team and we put people first before ourselves and we should always think that we should touch lives and reach our goal as a team: hard work, commitment, perseverance, patience, time management, engagement, accountability, and teamwork,”
“We should serve as a good example and should be committed to serving the community at all times,”
On Her Greatest Lesson
Zarraga said that to be committed to serving the community is the greatest lesson she has learned while working with RAFI Micro-finance, Inc. Through this, she was able to realize that her 10 years have made an impact on people’s lives.
“The countless challenges you have faced and will be facing will help you do things even beyond the extra mile,” Zarraga said.
Sacrifices are made for the common good. That is also one lesson Zarraga learned.
“The extra mile and distance will never be a hindrance, even though I only get to hug and kiss them during my twice-a-month visits. It is sad to think but I have to do this for my family and the clients,”
To the People Who Matter to Her
Zarraga is grateful that she works with RAFI Micro-finance, Inc. because RMF prioritizes the community whom it wants to help to.
“To our Chief Operating Officer, DBC for her countless services to make the RAFI Micro-finance, Inc. (RMF) stand and grow,
“To Ma’am Maria Theresa Catipay for her commitment in serving RMF, to Ma’am Charen Rabasano who has always coached and mentors me to follow the path of policy,”
She also gives thanks to her mother and family who has always been supportive of her in fulfilling her job.
“To my mother who always understands me and helps me especially when I need her companion and monetary assistance, to my siblings who always supports me even if they don’t agree with my fieldwork exposure,”
“To my children who always listen and love me even if I don’t get to prepare their meals and dress them after taking a bath and send them to school, and they don’t have a mother who is always present to assist what their needs in school, [and] to my life partner who understands our distance and supports me no matter what,”
“To my colleagues, especially to Ma’am Naomi Navacilla, who has inspired, motivated and cheered me up in those down times. They encouraged me to see those times as challenges,”
“It hurts sometimes but I always keep in mind that this is part of the challenges and hindrances and this will never keep me down. I will continue to pursue my mission to help others, to touch their lives and shape their future.” #IAMRAFI
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