How 100 US Dollars Changed the Life of a Family in the Philippines

by Andrea H. Trinidad

If you had P5,000 pesos (100 USD), what would you do with it?

This was the challenge posed by Kay Ferrer, Hemophilia Advocates-Philippines Vice President and one of the key leaders of the Nueva Ecija Chapter, to their members. The chapter started the Hanapbuhay Assistance Program in 2021, offering a zero-interest loan of P5,000 payable in 10 months, at the height of the pandemic to help members who lost their means of income.

One of those who availed of the loan was Emily San Juan, an active member. Her husband, Jonathan, has severe hemophilia A. Because of his frequent bleeds, Jonathan had been unable to work. Faced with financial challenges, Emily turned to HAP for assistance.

With the modest but crucial loan, Emily started a small sari-sari store, a type of neighborhood convenience store common in the Philippines. Her hard work and determination quickly paid off. She repaid the loan in only five months.

Within a year, Emily managed to grow her home-based business, enabling her to save enough to purchase a refrigerator worth 28,000 pesos, a valuable addition that allowed her to expand her store’s offerings, thus attracting more customers and increasing her income. Today, her inventory does not go below 20,000 pesos.

Furthermore, the store's profits enabled her to invest in her family's future. Emily was able to buy a cellphone worth 10,000 pesos for their son, which he uses for his online classes. This investment not only facilitated her son’s education but also underscored the far-reaching benefits of her entrepreneurial success.

Emily's story is a testament to how a little help, coupled with hard work and perseverance, can lead to substantial improvements in one's quality of life. 

Emily with her husband Jonathan and their grandchild in their sari-sari store

Through the Hanapbuhay Assistance Program, HAP has empowered her to become self-sufficient and provide for her family despite the challenges posed by her husband’s condition. Emily’s journey from a borrower to a successful small business owner illustrates the potential for positive change when communities come together to support those in need.