Starting from dust

Gertrudes Ramos, 55, is a member of Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD), Inc. (A Microfinance NGO) in Cabadbaran City since 2009. The institution offers microloans to support the livelihood activities of the socio-economically challenged women and families. She started with a P4,000-peso loan in 2009 as a starting capital right after the fire incident in the market of Cabadbaran City where vendors lost their only source of income, including Ramos’. Boxes of fish will arrive by 3:00 AM and vendors have to be there in advance to get the freshest fish to be sold in the market. At present, Ramos was allowed up to PHP 30,000 loan. With her daily income that ranges from PHP 800-1000, she was able to support her two kids in elementary level all by herself. She started from dust and she said that CARD helped her during that stressful time. “When no one lends a hand, CARD gave me the opportunity to start over again,” she said.