Sarah Bancure

Sarah Bancure and her husband, Reymond, both of the Philippines, once owned a piggery and enjoyed financial stability from her mother-in-law. Once she stopped sending them money, however, they knew they needed to become financially stable and independent. A neighbor of the Bancures--a client of Mentors Davao (Philippines) --introduced them to the foundation, and their lives were changed.

By receiving and paying back loans from Mentors, the Bancures have been able to keep their piggery. They were also given the opportunity to buy a farm lot in installments, which is now completely paid for and planted with bananas. They have been able to make home improvements, build capital for the buying and selling of lumber for furniture makers in the city, and put up a sari-sari (variety) store.

Sarah dreams for a better future for her family by sending her children to good schools. She and Raymond hope and pray for expansion of their business, which will enable this dream to come to fruition. With hard work, courage, determination, good saving habits and budgeting skills--values they learned from joining Mentors--they are confident they will soon achieve their worthy goals.

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Abegail Dacuyun

Abegail Dacuyun and her husband opened a convenience store in their town in the Philippines with the small separation pay her husband received when resigning from his factory position. With plenty of business ideas in mind, Dacuyun understood the need for more capital but did not know where to get it. The local banks require collateral, and the interest rates of the loan "sharks" were too high to ever pay off. It was only when Dacuyun learned of a micro-finance foundation, offering financial and mentoring resources, that the dream of self reliance developed into a reality.

Dacuyun joined Mentors Philippines and was able to secure loans totaling $1000. Her initial investment allowed her to rejuvenate her convenience store. With it, she also established rooms for rent and started a food vending and trucking service, in addition to a dried fish distribution. In the process, she hired six employees to pack and sell food items to be distributed. The income of these and the other business activities enabled her to buy a lot, make home improvements and purchase a second delivery truck.

At age 27, Dacuyun feels her children’s futures are now secure. her eight-year-old son is in school with a school allowance. She firmly believes that Mentors provided her with the anchor that continues to allow her to make bold business decisions as she blesses her family with her knowledge and work ethic.

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Elvira Booc

Before Mentors Davao (Philippines) came into her life, Elvira Booc, 49, cooked and sold edible delicacies door-to-door in her small town in the Philippines. She also raised hogs in her backyard. She earned an average total monthly income of 41 dollars, which barely met the needs of her family.

Then, Mentors came to her area and trained her in business practices and offered her a loan of 62 dollars. With this loan, Booc was able to purchase items to feed her pigs and goods to open a variety store. She now has increased her average total monthly income to over 292 dollars.

booc dreams of seeing her business thrive well into the future. With the
trainings she received from Mentors regarding diligence, cooperation,
thrift and good savings habits, she is confident she can achieve that and more.

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Maralyn Tigue

When Maralyn Tigue and her husband were married, they borrowed some capital from their relatives and applied for a bank loan to open a hollow block business. From these loans, they purchased a delivery truck and a hauler, but production was limited, and they could not always meet the demands of the large construction firm to which they supplied. Tigue then joined a micro-lending organization but was frustrated with the work ethic of its leaders. When she heard about Mentors Cebu (Philippines), she quickly joined.

Tigue received an 83-dollar loan and was soon able to meet the demands of the construction firm. After several loan cycles, her business has significantly grown.

Tigue knows that in the very near future, she and her husband will be able to send their children to a good school and provide them with nutritious meals because of her involvement with Mentors.

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Rony

Each day after school, Rony works for 4 to 5 hours making anywhere from 50 to 75 crates. It doesn't seem like much, but the numbers add up.

Rony works for his aunt Imelda, who has received several loans from Mentors Guatemala. She employs Rony and three others to help her in her crate-making business.

Imelda and her husband Odgas’ business of building wooden crates originally supported their family and provided a meager--but stable--income. However, as the demand from buyers increased, Imelda needed materials to expand her business, but couldn’t afford them. A Mentors loan allowed Imelda and her husband to go from making 25 boxes per day, to 200 boxes per day. It gave them the ability to buy much-needed machinery and to hire four employees. Their business is now thriving and they enjoy their work.

Rony makes about .08 cents a box, and posesses an exceptional work ethic. Rony plans to continue working for Imelda and Odgas, as the income he makes helps support his family. Watch his video here.

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Marena Degamo

Marena Degamo, 38, has long been an entrepreneur. Three years ago, she opened a furniture shop, Degamo Furniture, for which her father and younger brother were carpenters. Although they were at least breaking even, Degamo knew they could do better. When she heard about Mentors Cebu, she was attracted by its business values.

Her first Mentors loan enabled her to buy a sander, a planer and lumber. With these investments, she was able to double her salary. She has taken out another loan to buy a small four-wheel vehicle to help her deliver her furniture.

All of Degamo’s efforts are primarily geared towards helping her parents and her brother, as they rely on her for daily sustenance. She says helping them brings her happiness.

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Leoncia Gempesao

"Last February, Mentors VEF (Mentors’ partner organization in Cebu, Philippines) launched a branch in my area. I received my first loan of 85 dollars, which enabled me to buy additional raw materials for my pottery business, and increase production.

With most of my competitors closing shop, I was the only producer in my village. The demand of my products continued and the new capital inflow from Mentors allowed me to respond to the demands. I received another loan of 127 dollars last July to buy more raw materials.

Today, I am earning a net income of over 200 dollars a month from my business. With this income, I can help my grandchildren go to school. I also employ some of my children in the pottery business. It gives me such a fulfilling life.

"Women like me can be relied upon in making payments to loans. We can dream of a better future if we adhere to correct business practices and principles. Even though I am now considered a senior citizen, I am still actively engaged in my business. Thank you, Mentors, for giving me a chance to prove that I can be a solution rather than a problem."

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Virgia Guma

With the money from her first loan from Mentors Davao (Philippines), Virgie Guma planted turnip seeds, which grew quickly. Those first few turnip seeds have now grown into 12,000 hills of turnips. She also grows mushrooms, gourds and eggplants. With these investments, her average monthly income has increased significantly. Her family can now live comfortably and were recently even able to buy a refrigerator.

Guma now prays for an abundant yield for her coconut and coffee trees to give her a substantial income that will see her children through college. Joining Mentors has truly lifted Guma’s burdens and allowed her to become self-sufficient.

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Maria Mendez

Maria Mendez owns a weaving business in Chimaltenango, Guatemala. Every day, she kneels on a concrete floor for eight hours and weaves colorful and intricately-designed shirts, called güipils. Güipils take up to five months to complete, and weavers can only advance about four inches a day. In the past, she would sell a shirt for 300 dollars and make a 90-dollar profit, which enabled her to eat tortillas and salt daily.

With a Mentors loan, Mendez has employed two women (employee Yolanda is pictured on her right) to speed up the weaving process. Now, she makes an additional 85 dollars profit.

Mendez is so grateful that she can reach out to women from her own community and that Mentors has assisted in improving their lifestyles and nutritional health.

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Maximo Gabriel Chovix

Maximo Chovix is a successful strawberry farmer and has been a client of Mentors Guatemala for three years. Before Mentors came into his life, his family lived in a mud hut and were struggling to survive.

Then, Chovix received a loan from Mentors to begin growing strawberries on his land. With a second loan, he hired employees to keep up with the demand.

Now, Chovix has 12 employees. Together, they produce 1400 pounds of strawberries per week. His mud hut is now a home with ceramic floors and a concrete wall. He is one of the first people in Guatemala to receive permission to export his strawberries to the United States. In his proactive way, Chovix is even seeking qualification to enter into the European strawberry market.

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Juanita Bantilles

Juanita Bantilles recognized a business opportunity when her husband came home from work with three foam pillows instead of food. Bantilles was able to sell the pillows for a profit to her neighbor. Building upon the idea, she learned how to use a sewing machine to make pillowcases for the foam pillows. Eventually, she also created mattress covers of varying sizes.

When she discovered Mentors VEF (Mentors’ partner organization in Cebu, Philippines), she received a loan to buy a sewing machine of her own, which gave her the ability to make a better profit and continue on with her business.

Since then, Bantilles has been able to help her son continue his education with the money she has earned and has high hopes for the future.

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Mary Lynn Tilag

Manila resident Mary Lynn Tilag understands the importance of family and education. However, providing even basic necessities seemed to be an endless challenge. Many years, they merely survived as she wondered where their next meal would come from. Her husband, Ariston, was unqualified for any job, and there seemed to be no way to earn a living for their family.

Then Mary Lynn heard of Philippines Manila Development Foundation's (PMDF) micro-finance program. She attended a Center Meeting to find out how she could obtain one of the small loans she had heard about.

With her first loan, Mary Lynn purchased a used bench grinder for her husband. With the grinder, they were able to open a small saw blade business. Ariston now fashions saws of all kinds and sizes. He also sharpens them for others. In addition, he produces handles, knives, axes and scissors. With a steady hand, he cuts the small teeth into each blade, watching the sparks fly.

"My husband could not work before because there were no jobs. Now, because of Mentors, he can help provide for our family," says Mary Lynn as she smiles.

In addition to their business of selling and sharpening saws, Mary Lynn runs a small sari sari store selling vegetables, a variety of groceries and other accessories. "The funding from Mentors has given me the courage that I need to succeed."

Mary Lynn is now on her 8th loan cycle. In addition to feeding and clothing her family, she has been able to pay for her children's education.

With four boys and one girl ranging from 1 to 18 years, she has children in elementary school through college. "Mentors has given me hope; it has given opportunities for my children," she says, as she gives her baby a squeeze.

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Dionisia Fernandez

Dionisia Fernandez owns her own successful dress making business. However, it was not always so.

Prior to her relationship with Mentors Philippines Manila Development Foundation (PMDF), Fernandez worked for a small wage as a fabric cutter in a Manila sewing factory. She wondered how she would ever adequately provide for her two daughters. Seven years ago she learned about Mentors PMDF. Now in her 14th loan cycle, she sews endlessly. She creates dresses, gowns, curtains, bed covers, pillows, and sofa covers. "I will sew anything that sells," she quips.

Mentors PMDF has helped Dionisia in many ways. She was able to send both of her daughters to college, where one has graduated in computer education, and the other is in her first year of study to become a teacher. "Without Mentors PMDF I could not have sent my children to college and would not have been able to provide as nice a home," she says with deep conviction.

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Teresita Viray

When her husband passed away unexpectedly more than five years ago, Teresita Viray did not know what would become of her family. Without a job or income, her future seemed bleak. Then a friend invited her to attend a Mentors Philippines Manila Development Foundation (PMDF) center meeting in her neighborhood. She learned that she could take out a small loan in order to start a business. Her first loan was just 3,000 pesos.

"I used the money to start a tiny sari sari store," Viray said. "That was five years ago. " Six months later she had repaid the loan and was ready for her second loan of 5,000 pesos. She has now repaid five loans (her last was for 33,000 pesos) and is preparing for her 6th loan cycle. Her once-small sari sari store has become a well-established grocery store.

With shelf after shelf of neatly arranged canned goods, fresh foods, and other personal and grocery items, Viray's grocery store is the pride of the neighborhood.

"I'm very happy," smiles Viray, with tears in her eyes. "I am so grateful for Mentors PMDF. Since I opened my store, it has been possible for me to buy food for my family and help with the education of my children. My youngest son is now in his second year at the university and is studying business management. I am so proud I have been able to support him. But I am also proud to have accomplished something I had never even dreamed of before. I have learned how to operate a business. I have learned how to manage my money. I know how to keep records for my business. I've learned accounting processes for my grocery store and how to do inventory. I want to have an even larger store someday, so that I can buy a truck and make deliveries." she said.

The road for Viray has not been an easy one, but she says she will be forever grateful. "My children are so happy for me. Even though their father is not alive, I have been able to support my family. Without my store I don't know where we'd be."

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Randy Opeyla

At just 28 years of age, Randy Opeyla is already a successful entrepreneur in Davao, Philippines. When he was only 12 years old he began working as an employee at a watch repair store. A year later he opened his own watch repair stand, borrowing 500 pesos from loan sharks in the area.

Seeing that he could do it, he partnered with his brothers to open three more locations. He taught them how to make the necessary repairs, provided parts and earned half the profits. Nevertheless, making significant profit was nearly impossible due to the high interest rates and other markups of the loan sharks.

Then, Opeyla was put in touch earlier this year with Mentors Mendenao Enterprise Development Fund (MEDF). He started with a two-month express loan of 5,000 pesos.

With the funds he purchased spare parts for watches."It has helped me expand my business," he said. "I have been able to send more spare parts to my brothers, increasing their business capacity, while also making a profit for myself."

Opeyla now owns two locations in Davao, in addition to seven outside locations. He is planning to open watch repair stands in Davao shopping malls as well. "I have gone through three training sessions with Mentors MEDF that have been very helpful to me. My profits have gone way up."

Opeyla said his wife Lilia and their four children have been blessed by his business success. "It is wonderful to provide for my family."

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Jappete and Angela Banghal

Only three years ago, Jappete and Angela Banghal were having a difficult time providing for their two young children. Affording the right school for their educations seemed even more remote.

Then they discovered Mentors Mendenao Enterprise Development Fund (MEDF). They started with a personal loan of 15,000 pesos to initiate a party business with balloons, plus table and chair rentals. But the business never produced well.

Jappete decided a strategic shift was necessary for his success. He had noted the skyrocketing use of cell phones in the Philippines and invested his next loan in cell phones, accessories and downloads, and fashion jewelry. His business became so successful that he opened up two additional store fronts. He is now able to buy in larger volumes than before and his profits are increasing.

Angela attends regular Mentors MEDF training courses and helps with the family business, but now she is able to spend much of her time raising their son and daughter. The couple is currently on their 5th cycle, close to paying off their last loan of 40,000 pesos."

I'm able to send my children to good schools," Jappete beams. "We eat well and have added to our home. We're happy we became involved with Mentors MEDF. "

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Rosario Bangot

Rosario Bangot has been fortunate to have in-laws who have allowed her to farm three hectors (10,000 square meters each), but lacked the means necessary to buy the Durian and Banana trees she longed to raise.Then she learned about Mentors Mendenao Enterprise Development Fund (MEDF).

With her first loan Bangot was able to buy banana seedlings. She now has 89 Durian fruit trees and a banana grove with 900 trees. Her first harvest generated 20,000 pesos.

Through her fruit groves, she has been able to send both of her children to college. One of her sons is studying banking and finance, while the other is pursuing a degree in crop processing.

Bangot is a center chief, overseeing the progress of six groups of about four people each. They meet every Wednesday to participate in debt repayment, report on projects, discuss utilization of newly released loans, and discuss their monthly social activity. It is also a time where leadership training is provided.

"It's so exciting when I am able to sell my fruit to the whole sale vendors," she said. "Providing for my family and assisting with their college educations has always been important to me. It's wonderful to be fulfilling my dream."