Helping Women Grow Their Businesses: CARD and Conchita Yalong

Poor families are most vulnerable when they have only a single source of income for the household. Also, poor families who rely on agricultural production as a means of livelihood have to endure the lean months. This is translated into low, or sometimes nil cash flow important for their daily subsistence and other household needs.

Capital liquidity is vital to all micro entrepreneurs as it opens up options and alternatives for income generation particularly when the usual sources of income are cut off. For poor families, this simply means providing lifelines for the household, a service that CARD makes available.

In the lean months when harvest and production falter, fisher folks struggle in identifying alternative income generating activities. Through microcredit, families that rely on fishing are able to explore other means of livelihood. Such is the story of Conchita “Chit” Layung.

Chit has been selling fish since she was in grade school. She was made to quit school early because of poverty and consequently married in her teens. Early on, her husband’s propensity for gambling caused serious problems in the couple’s finances. Realizing that they were not making headway in Manila, Chit and her husband, Juanito, relocated to Chit’s hometown, Mamburao in Occidental Mindoro. Juanito then turned to rice farming. Chit also began selling fish again. As her business slowly grew, Chit saw the potential in wholesale fish dealing. She financed fishing trips and in return, these fishermen sold her their catch.

When the lean months came, Chit would shift to selling processed fish products such as dried and smoked fish. She also supplied ice for fishing vessels. Chit also went into vinegar production. She would buy raw ingredients when supplies are abundant and cheap. She would sell these products when production and supplies are low.

Chit also serves as the treasurer of the CARD center she is a member of. Through her availment of CARD’s loan products, Chit is able to augment her needs for capital in expanding her business. Initially, Chit thought that CARD’s demand for time and commitment from its members took quite a toll in terms of time taken from home chores or business activities. However, she admits that this discipline has carried her to her 3rd loan cycle.

Chit would like to maintain her good record with CARD as she is also eyeing CARD’s scholarship program for her daughter, who is now in grade school. The elder two children attend college in Manila but help her out in her business when school is out. This early, they are already showing the entrepreneurial spirit of their mother: both son and daughter sell goods to their friends and acquaintances to help defray their cost of living, knowing that much of the income that their parents earns goes to their education. “ I want them to have what I was deprived of. Education will pull us all out of poverty,” said Chit.

Chit’s center exemplifies positive center dynamics that contribute to good performance. First time loan takers learn from more experienced members such as Chit: as an officer of her center, other members consult her on how to manage their loans better and what businesses they can engage in . Chit also gives advice on how much they ought to borrow and screens loan applications depending on their capacity to pay. She motivates her co-members to pay on time and helps out those who could not. As Chit benefits from the services offered by CARD, the expertise and experience she shares with her peers is invaluable to the success of the program. •