Susan Comes in Full Circle

We believe that a lot of impoverished mothers have the chance to elevate their and their children’s living standards if only allowed to do so. Because of this, we started our One Hope Microfinance Program to provide microloans starting at PHP 6,000 (USD 102).

Susan’s story goes a full circle. We cannot help but smile whenever we hear about her story because hers is proof that even one opportunity can change the life of a loving mother forever. When we met her, she was a struggling single mother of two. Back in 2015, she started her sari-sari store business. From the daily necessities that her community needed, she grew little by little by adding sacks of rice, cooking meals, and even selling freshly-caught fish at some point. Her little sari-sari store was not just a small establishment; she turned it into whatever she wanted it to be. It was through her little store that she was able to send her kids to school. She did not do anything grand; she just showed up every single day and trusted the process. 

Now, both her kids are self-sufficient and have families of their own! They may have moved out of their house, but they made sure to live nearby to still spend quality time with her. From time to time, she looks after her grandchildren when their parents are busy and away. 

When we asked how One Hope supported her through the years, she immediately talked about the consistency of the program. To her, it’s not just about the capital. While it’s great to have money to start with, the reason she was able to continue was because of her community in the program. To be surrounded by like-minded and optimistic women truly helped her stay consistent. She even recalls the time guests from Australia visited their fellowship meeting, a moment that made her feel encouraged and seen. Armand, our Project Officer, even considers her the best fellowship coordinator he has ever worked with.

After many years in the program, Susan has reached a point where she no longer needs additional loans. With her children now fully independent, she feels secure and steady. She also shared that she credits half of what she has built to our program—because of the support, the guidance, and the relationships that helped her along the way. 

But of course, life is not without its challenges that can make anyone lose their footing. Four years ago, Susan suffered from a stroke. It was a truly difficult time for her and her family. They had to adapt by making small lifestyle changes. They took turns taking care of her, and with their care, she slowly pushed forward and past that difficult time. 

Susan’s story is not just a success story of a single mother who was able to “make it” in motherhood. It was a story about how the love one puts out always comes back to us in forms of care, kindness, and growth. Listening to her story, we are confident that whatever she goes through in life, she will be able to surpass it all because she is full of love that keeps coming back to herself. 

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