A New Day, A New Year: Project Bagong Araw Month 6

Nanay Reyalda in her store

Project Bagong Araw is a project by Hapinoy supported by generous partners such as the Philippine Business for Social Progress. On its final month, the project is expecting three hundred and forty-eight Nanays (mothers) to graduate from the business training program that concluded late 2014. Project Bagong Araw provided these Nanay microentrepreneurs with business training, capital loans, and store makeovers to assist them in their recovery from the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda. The project covered four towns in Leyte, including Tacloban. On their last month with the program, the Nanays share about their journey throughout the six months. This new year, we hope to witness the Nanays in action while we work towards expanding the Project Bagong Araw Program.

Nanay Reynalda Resma from Tanauan, Leyte recalls what she enjoyed the most in the program. “What made me happy most about the program is learning about recordkeeping because ever since I learned that, we have more control over our stocks and cash. We also don’t have un-recorded personal expenses from the store anymore.” “Ang pinaka nakapag-pasaya sa akin ay yung pag-lilista dahil sumula nung natutunan ko yun, wala na kaming kupit sa tindahan.” She also liked the visual merchandising lesson and the materials they received. “I enjoyed the visual merchandising! Because I now have a place to put the items in my store and my store looks neat and presentable already.” “Masaya yung visual merchandising! Dahil may nalalagyan na ako ng aking mga paninda at maayos na ito tingnan.” As the graduation approaches, Nanay Reynalda shares a piece of encouragement with her fellow Nanays: “Let’s just keep being courageous and hard working and religious in our recordkeeping for a more successful store and business.” “Lakas ng loob at tiyaga lang ang gawin natin at samahan ng paglilista para sa mas maunlad na tindahan”

Nanay Violeta Brioso from Palo, Leyte also shares her experiences during the program. Nanay Violeta speaks about how much she enjoyed the training sessions. “What I liked the most is the training because I enjoy them and the sessions are exciting especially the part where we have time to share with our fellow Nanays.” “Ang pinaka nagustuhan ko ay yung pag-attend ng training kasi nakakatuwa at nakaka-excite mag attend lalo na yung sharing at kwentuhan portion.” Like Nanay Reynalda, Nanay Violeta also found the visual merchandising training and materials very helpful. “My store looks presentable and appealing now. It so nice to look at already unlike before when the items were scattered and my store was unappealing.” “Maayos na ang tindahan ko ngayon at maganda na tingnan, hindi katulad dati na kung saan-saan lang nakalagay yung mga paninda tapos magulo.” Nanay Violeta says that what she will miss most about the program are the sharing sessions they have. She will miss opening up to, listening to, and exchanging encouragements with her fellow Nanays.

Hapinoy and Philippine Business for Social Progress are proud of the Nanays who have gone through the program and are striving to face each new day with an unwavering optimism and strength. As the Nanays graduate, they face a new day and a new year in their lives as they continue to move forward. As for Hapinoy, despite Project Bagong Araw 2014 ending, the team will continue to work with the Nanays, and with the support of more partners, Hapinoy hopes to expand to different municipalities and work with more Nanays.