Mother-special daughter tandem kick starts mission to spread positive vibes

A positive message, the talent of a special young woman with the encouragement of her mother are the ideas behind a ready-to-wear apparel business, Likha by Yana.

The initial offering are t-shirts of different colors and one-worded messages such as "Patience," "Kindness", and "Love."

Nelma Paguio Goli told GMA News Online that the business is anchored on the drawings of 15-year-old Leana Rahab "Yana" Goli, a special daughter.

Yana does 100% of her drawings and some are inspired by Japanese cartoon characters.

Nelma, 49, said that the objective of the project, with the support of her husband, and two other children, is to "share love in one word of positivity."

"To share my daughter's art to people who really need encouragement.. Sarap po sa mata ng arts nya," she added.

SPECIAL ARTIST

Yana was diagnosed with mild autism when she was three years old.

Nelma said that her daughter has a delay in development and is unable to engage in normal conversations that she should be the one to manipulate the conversation.

"After the announcement of April 2021 MECQ, I felt so depressed po and anxiously worried how I can help the family's earning and share to others at the same time," she shared.

Nelma manages a  travel company with Lor, her husband, and they are currently working from home. However, with the pandemic, they have limited services to offer their clients.

"Kasi po I thought we can start slowly opening our travel business.. I prayed to God for wisdom and I waited for a few days as i was rushing God to answer me for wisdom," she said.

One day, as mothers do, she found herself browsing through the social media account of her daughter and had an epiphany.

"I was browsing my daughter's IG account...bigla kong sinabi wow ang galing ng talent ng anak ko," she said.

STAYING AFLOAT

The family's finances are stable despite the pandemic and with this blessing of being able to start a new business they want to help others too.

"As of this time Mam for 1 year God sustained us... But life is getting harder.. I prayed for a business na makaka share ako for inspiration (in a) simple way at the same time meron income," said Nelma.

She got in touch with friends and found that some seemed to be experiencing a form of depression.

"So i thought of using my daughter's art to give 1 word message of positivity. So I prayed again for wisdom po. God let me open the Bible into (the book of) Galatians," she explained.

"I started designing na... collaborate with my daughter's art...using 9 Fruits of the Spirit," she said, adding that she believed in the talent of her children and thought that she could share their artwork with others.

FAMILY TIES

Nelma has three kids, all teenagers, with the eldest doing the story for the Facebook page called Likha by Yana.

"All of them are homeschooling kids po, kaya di kami nahirapan mag-adjust during this pandemic, sanay na po sila sa bahay," she said.

They presented the idea to friends and relatives and received positive feedback on the shirt designs.

The Goli family started the business to augment their finances but they also would like to help other special kids be able to purchase art supplies.

They also want to raise awareness on autism.

"Very important po talaga kasi kami all our life we always explain to people pag nasa labas anak ko, especially na bata pa siya. Falling in line is no to her," said Nelma.

When they are outdoors, she said they always have to explain Yana's behavior so no one is offended.

She said that 50 percent of the people they encounter understand her but the rest "galit po sila (they get mad)."

"Mam yun po ang objective ko is to share an encouragement from a little girl to whom sometimes people don't give attention (to)," she said.

"Tapos Mam after po praying pa, to help others special children na artists din po para (to) feature (their talents) and to be recognized..kaya po (the title of the Facebook page is) Likha by Yana," she added. -- GMA News