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Grameen Rice-Finance
(2002) by SEKAP, Inc.

Reforestation
(1998-2002) by FCI

Sustainable Agriculture
(1998-2002) by SWCF

Rice Farmers Cooperative / Carabao Dispersal
(1998-2002) by SJP

Credit Cooperative
(2000-2002) by DLRLCDFI

Women's Handicrafts (2002) / Rice Cooperative
(1996-2001) by PBSP

Vegetable Farmers Cooperatives
(1998-2002) by AKAP

Women's Wastepickers Enterprise (2001) by JVOFI

Entrepreneurs Cooperative
(1998-2002) by MRMF-TRESP

Rice Farmers Association
(2001) by FAPBAPI

Credit Cooperative
(2002) by PMPCI

Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, Inc. (JVOFI)

Description of the JVOFI project:

JVOFI has implemented a one-year (2001) micro-project called “Women Waste pickers in Irisan”. This micro-project focused on creating alternative source of income for the women instead of scavenging in the Baguio City dumpsite. The beneficiaries of this micro-project are a group of 25 women waste pickers, called the SINAG (Sari-saring Itinapon Na Gintong Yaman) group, which means “wealth in trash”.

For the women of Irisan, Sinag represents not only the novelty items and décor that they fashion out of both recycled and new materials but the hope for a better life.

The women were organized and trained by JVOFI to engage in livelihood activities that will supplement their income from scavenging and prepare them for the eventual operation of a compost plant at the dumpsite. Aside from product designing and production, they were also trained on small enterprise management. After the project, these women earned additional income from products sales and are more confident today in working towards their vision of a community that is healthy and safe for their children.

Testimony of Mrs. Epifania Smith

Mrs. Epifania Smith is one of the SINAG members and hails from Ifugao. She has been engaged in waste picking for the past 13 years as the family’s main source of income, augmented only by her husband’s occasional contract driving. The family’s meager income is barely enough for their daily subsistence. They have 5 children. Only one of her 3 younger children availed of free elementary education in a nearby public school while the other 2 older ones are in college but have to stop their schooling from time to time.

For Mrs. Smith, the product development and value enhancement trainings she attended provided her an opportunity to engage in an alternative livelihood and earn more from scrap or waste materials. She availed of a loan amounting to 2,150- PHP from JVOFI for the production of novelty items, and eagerly produced and participated in several trade fairs. Through her involvement in these activities, she admitted having learned more about herself and her capabilities. It also minimized her frequent exposure to the hazards of waste picking as she spent less time daily scavenging. She was also able to enjoin the unemployed members of the family to assist her in candle making and thus, produced more.

The income earned from the sale of these products during product trade fairs provided her with the needed cash income, which she saved for the tuition fee of her daughter in college. She sold a total of 10,000- PHP worth of products in 3 trade fairs and generated an income of 5,125- PHP. As she said, “it helps in making ends meet”.