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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

Small Enterprise Kapital Assistance Program, Inc. (SEKAP)

Description of the SEKAP project:

SEKAP is based in Borongan, Eastern Samar. It is implementing a one-year project (2002) called “Expansion Project for the Socio-economic Empowerment of Poor Women in Eastern Samar, Philippines”. It is a project of micro-finance utilizing the methodology of the Grameen Bank system.

SEKAP has been in micro-finance for since 1997 and wanted to expand the area of their services to Guiuan, Eastern Samar. The project gives financial assistance in terms of small loans to groups of 5 women for income generating activities. Several groups are regrouped into a center. The center is where formation is given, loans are collected and micro-enterprises are monitored. The one-year assistance aim to reach 720 women, organized in 24 centers.

The project main aim is to create and/or strengthen jobs for the women through the establishment of micro-enterprises, which will lead to a significant improvement of the living standards of the families involved.

Testimony of Mrs. Gloria Advincula

Gloria Advincula is a native of Guiuan, Eastern Samar and a mother of 5 children. At the age of 42, she has many experiences in life. She used to stay most of the time at the market to attend to her small business, as their means of livelihood while her husband had no permanent job. Due to strong competition in the market, she went bankrupt. That’s the time she was able to join the newly formed center of SEKAP in Guiuan.

She first availed of a small loan of 2,000- PHP and started a Sari Sari store in their house. After 3 months, she was able to reimburse the loan and availed of a second one worth 4,900- PHP that she also invested in their Sari Sari store. With the additional capital she was able to expand her store.

From the proceeds of her business, she bought a pig and a small boat for rent. Her daily income increased from 100-PHP to 600- PHP. All her 5 children are now able to attend school. As soon as she will reimburse the second loan she will be eligible for the third cycle and continue expanding her micro-enterprise and also create opportunities for her husband to generate income.

Manang Gloria is very thankful to the project for without the support of SEKAP she wouldn’t be able to achieve this big improvement.