Grassroots banking

HOPE springs for small entrepreneurs.

Microcredit or “barefoot” banking should be implemented in Tacloban to improve its residents’ way of life after Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

Here’s an example of grassroots banking in action: Aling Nene has no money and little education. But, with cash in hand from a microloan, she acquires bargaining power to purchase fruits from farmers at the best possible price.

She takes the fruits to her store, which also sells the best halo-halo in town. She uses the proceeds from sales and buys more consumer goods to sell in her store.

With her bustling business, she is able to send her nieces to school—and break the cycle of poverty!

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Join the Amazing Batanes Photo Safari on March 28-31, April 18-21 and May 2-5. E-mail luzamandolina@yahoo.com, or call 896-3208.

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