Chamber Beat:Empowering solo mothers of Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — Twenty-three solo mothers from Cebu had been given the chance to participate in a 5-day training on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills development organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) in partnership with the New Zealand Embassy, Azpired Inc., and the Cebu City Government on June of last year.

Following the success of the “Enabling solo mothers to be e-ready” course, the CCCI conducted a meeting with the solo mothers held last July 31 at the Golden Prince Hotel, Cebu City to follow-up on their present situation after attending the training.

Six of the 23 trainees attended the meeting, out of which, 4 have become successful in their professional careers and businesses. Ranging from being a supervisor in a BPO industry, a Real Estate agent, and a virtual assistant to the Japanese Embassy to a booming food catering business, the solo mothers are continuously surviving and thriving.

Currently, the New Zealand Embassy is allocating P2.6 million grant this year to fund another program that will give entrepreneurship opportunities for single mothers a sequel of last year’s successful project.