NGO grants microfinance to low-income households

CEBU, Philippines - A non-government organization has proven that poverty can be eliminated by seeing the potentials of community residents and giving them opportunities to engage into entrepreneurship and transforming them into responsible citizens.

The Center for Agriculture and Rural Development Mutually Reinforcing Institutions  has granted microfinance to low-income households particularly the rural women in the Philippines, helping them find a stable livelihood.

“We give loans to our clients yung mga nanay natin para sila ay makapagsimula ng negosyo,” Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip told The FREEMAN. He is CARD MRI’s founder and managing director.

The company has established various microfinance institutions to give the poor access not just to financial but also educational, health and livelihood services.

Women artisan

The members of the social development organization are women entrepreneurs who make accessories and clothing made from locally sourced materials.

For the clients to join the mainstream economy, a member organization CARD-Business Development Service Foundation, Inc. has been created.

It aims to help MRI’s micro-entrepreneurs bring their native products to the mainstream market, helping them in their lives and improving the country’s economy, Alip said.

CARD-BDSFI has created a brand and a marketing program called “Mga Likha ni Inay.”

Alip said the organization goes out to local artists in rural areas and native communities to buy and promote their first-class products.

These women artists who are members of the CARD MRI include wood carvers, paper molders, leather workers, weavers and other artisans.

The women’s products are garments, fabrics, clothes, accessories, home accents, souvenir items and even native delicacies.

“Yung mga inay talaga natin yung bida rito,” the founder said. “At dapat nating ipagmalaki yung mga gawa nila. And more than that, it gives us dignity as Filipinos.”

He also said the mothers are substantially part of the ownership of the company, adding, “Sila yung mahalaga dito eh. This is our new business model, our ownership is our members.”

Recently, CARD-BDSFI organized a fashion show entitled “Mga Likha ni Inay: The Philippine Modern Ethnic Collection” in SM City Cebu to showcase the clothing of the Philippine Ethnic Tribes.

The show served as an avenue for the makers to bring their products to a wider market which consists of private individuals and corporations, Alip explained.

He also added the products are now being exported to other countries such as United States, Europe, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and others.

“Kailangan ipakilala natin ang sariling atin,” he stressed. “Kadalasan kasi sa atin puro imported lang yung iniisip.”

He also said a kiosk of the brand will soon be installed in SM Cebu. In Cebu alone, the MRI has currently around 55,000 families as members. (FREEMAN)