Our One Hope Microfinance Program’s main mission is to protect vulnerable women from the threat of sexual exploitation by providing loans for sustainable micro entrepreneurship. We provide small business loans starting at PHP 6,000. Each client will then be a part of a fellowship group where they must commit to meeting weekly for payment and community building. They can continue borrowing up to PHP 30,000. This way, they have the chance to elevate their living standards and foster positive change in their communities.
We first shared Leni’s story back in 2022, when she started running a small store in the mountains in Bataan. Fast forward four years, and we came to see her again with her store: still operational and now expanded into a small canteen along the highway.
Four years ago, it was just her managing the business, but now it’s grown into a sort of family business. She now works closely with her eldest daughter, Jona. They begin as early as 5:00 AM to prepare breakfast, and by afternoon, all their food has already been sold out. Not only were they able to establish themselves as a beloved neighborhood eatery, but they were also known for serving the best dinuguan and Bicol Express (Filipino dishes). Not only do they have a steady stream of walk-in customers, but they also have a group chat where they share their daily menu with teachers at a nearby school to receive advance orders.
Once the day ends at the canteen, Leni heads back to the mountains to operate her sari-sari store. Her hard work never ceases, and we cannot help but be inspired by her commitment and dedication to provide for her family. To her, she cannot rest until all her children have graduated. Right now, her two youngest kids are still in school.
When we asked her about how One Hope has helped her, she mentioned that the sari-sari store and now the canteen have provided a steady source of income for her. Over the years, she was able to save and make improvements in their home. But these successes are not without struggles too. Of course, there are rainy days for business owners like her. The rising fuel costs forced them to switch to charcoal to manage expenses while still keeping their food affordable. To them, affordability is one of the main reasons people support their business, so they must adapt to keep their prices low.
As the timeless Filipino saying goes: “Kung gusto, may paraan. Kung ayaw, may dahilan.” (If there’s a will, there’s a way. If it’s a no, there’s a reason.) As we left Leni, we knew that she would be alright because she is a smart woman who is not afraid to adapt to changes in her environment.
We are glad that our program not only provided her with one hope. Through her hard work and focus, she now has two: her sari-sari store and her thriving eatery!
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Support the One Hope Microfinance Program and help provide mothers with the resources they need to build a better future for their children.
USD270 | AUD 385 starts another woman on her poverty-free journey.
Be her hope.
