Two Stores, Twenty-one Families
These families live on Sipaway Island, a small island off the coast of Negros Occidental in the Philippines. Ermita is the smaller of the island’s two communities, and most families survive through fishing and small daily income opportunities.
Over the past three years, this savings group of 21 individuals—many loosely connected to Sipaway Gospel Baptist Church—has faithfully set aside small amounts of money to help one another during times of need. Their savings have often been used for children’s school supplies, medical emergencies, and other urgent family expenses. Through their combined savings, along with the help of a small loan, the group was able to open a sari-sari store.
A sari-sari store is a small, family-run neighborhood shop commonly found throughout the Philippines. These stores provide daily essentials such as rice, canned goods, snacks, drinks, and personal care items in small and affordable quantities, often directly from the owner’s home. In rural communities like Ermita, these stores are vital because they give families convenient access to basic necessities close to where they live.
The success of their first store allowed the group to faithfully repay their initial loan. Because of their diligence and responsibility, they qualified for a second loan, which enabled them to open a second sari-sari store.
What makes this project unique is that the stores are owned collectively by the fisherfolk themselves. Rather than benefiting only one family, the profits are shared, and the members receive dividends twice each year to help support their households.
Now the group is seeking a third loan of just $172. This loan will help them increase the varieties of rice they can offer in their stores. Rice, of course, is the primary staple food in the Philippines and one of the most important daily needs for local families. The loan will also go towards providing agri-vet supplies in their stores, primarily feed for chickens, goats, and pigs.
These two stores are doing more than generating income. They are helping parents provide for their children, strengthening a struggling community, and creating opportunities for additional families to join the savings group in the future.
Most importantly, this group has already demonstrated faithfulness and integrity by successfully paying off two previous loans while continuing to expand their services to the community.
We are excited about the future of this project and the difference it is making in Ermita.
Would you consider partnering with these hardworking fisherfolk through a sponsorship gift of $172 to help improve their living conditions and strengthen their community for years to come?