Ms. Aileen M. Arellano was just a plain housewife struggling to make ends meet for her eight children before. Their family relied solely on the income of her husband as a part-time tricycle driver and construction worker. To add to the family’s income, her husband also worked as a farm laborer but only intermittently since land owners in the locality have minimal demand for workforce due to the presence of modernized agricultural machinery. With the meager amount her husband provides out of his work endeavors, she faced difficulty in covering all the daily needs of her growing family.

The Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) opened an opportunity for women and housewives in their community, like Ms. Aileen, to go out of their comfort zones and to provide them with a way to earn income to supplement the proceeds of their spouses.

She was given the responsibility of being the President of the Rizal Commercial Cooking Sustainable Livelihood Program Association (SLPA). The members of the association received a 21-day capacity building program through skills training. The intervention enhanced their capacities and equipped them on the tenets of catering services. They were also provided with physical asset as they received starter kit for the operation of their enterprise.

To finally start their endeavor, a start-up capital was also given which served as their revolving fund. The engagement with their clients and suppliers built and strengthened their social linkages.

Currently, out of her profit share with their group enterprise, Ms. Aileen was able to put a small merienda stall as an additional source of income for her family. She was also able to purchase their own tricycle.

Through their group enterprise, other members of the SLPA can now provide a decent meal on their tables and also provide for other needs that they were not able to afford before. Their project is also the first of its kind in the municipality, as women now actively take part in the local economic growth. They now feel a sense of empowerment and personal growth, without being strictly confined within the corners of their kitchen. ### By: Melisen Taquiqui, SLP Social Marketing Officer with a report from: Chester Carlo M. Trinidad, OIC-Regional Information Officer