To her who never stopped fighting that one losing battle

What would you do when in a blink of an eye, you suddenly lost all that you worked for? Yes, everything that you spent your years on with all your heart and soul. Some would just stare at the skies and would ask the Supreme Being what did just happen. Some would look at people to blame in order to stop the growing pain. Some would just lie there and say, “It is over!” But there are rare individuals who would still stand to choose to fight in a losing battle.

One example is Jenny Hinampas, 59 years old, from Carmen, Davao del Norte. She had never known anything in life but to become a mother who could provide for her children. She went through a lot of ups and downs in her businesses but she said that her carenderia, barbeque stalls, and sari-sari store were the most successful one.

Before the fire incident, Jenny applied for a loan for additional capital in Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD), Inc. (A Microfinance NGO), a social development organization that offers microloans to support the livelihood activities of the socio-economically challenged women and their families. She started as a member in 2013 and is actively saving and applying for loans due to the high demand of her growing businesses.

Who would ever know what tomorrow may bring? Who would ever know the future that lies ahead? It was in November 2016 when over 24 businesses were burned to ashes when a fire broke out in their place. In the heart of Carmen, there is a queue of carenderia, barbeque stalls, and sari-sari store that operates more at night. She is one of the 24 owners who lost a stall. She lost almost everything including the money she got from her loan, business permits and other important documents, supplies, and even her hard-earned appliances.

“I almost gave up. I really thought it will be the business that would finally be successful, and it was really going well. That is why I invested more in it. I gave my all and just like that, almost everything gone before my eyes,” Jenny reminisced in shivering voice.

“But one thing flashed before me: I’ve been through a lot already, I cannot imagine myself giving up,” she added firmly. At present, Jenny started once again with a stronger faith.

CARD, Inc. helped her get up on her feet through another loan. Because of the collateral-free loan products and services, Jenny was able to avail a loan just as she badly needed it. Good thing she fought a losing battle, she won and started a new beginning.

“It is only when we acknowledge our weaknesses that we find our inner strength and it is only with fighting that we experience winning,” Jenny concluded.