On November 8, 2013, super typhoon Yolanda destroyed the home of the Villaesters. They’ve lost almost everything to Yolanda, except for their courage, character and creativity.
Their sewing machine, a major economic asset, was damaged beyond repair. They relied on relief goods given out by various international and local donors for the first three months after Yolanda.
Rosalinda “Rose’ Villaester would vend fish around the community to augment their daily needs. Her husband Rowell stays at home to tend to their 4 children while recuperating from a stroke.
Food is scarce and life is even harder. Rosalinda’s kin treats them as ‘heavy burden’, Rowell felt useless and pitied himself, and their eldest child skipped classes for lack of transportation allowance.
Prayer keeps Rosalinda strong and hopeful that help would come.
Help indeed came when Rowell thought of putting together a sewing machine from an old engine given to them by their pastor and scrap wood from a friend. He produced rugs, doormats and potholders from their unused relief clothes.
Rose would then vend these products in Culasi town along with fish. Some of her clients were government workers from the Culasi municipal hall. They appreciated her products and placed more orders.
The Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer then referred Rose for DSWD-SLP Livelihood Assistance. She was interviewed, a project proposal on rug, doormat and potholder making amounting to P15,000.00 was prepared
On October 7, 2014, she received the amount which assist them in their microenterprise.
With this financial support, they bought two second hand high speed sewing machines and one sack of unused ukay-ukay clothing and other materials for the enterprise.
Rowell then added handbags and pouches made of cloth and plastic to their product line. This then became an instant hit. Orders were placed from even neighboring towns. Some Pantawid Parent Leaders also buy and sell their bags.
And when Rose was encouraged to register their enterprise with DTI, she brought with her some of their products to show to the DTI personnel. The latter, after hearing her story and seeing her products, suggested ways to improve the product designs.
Rose was also introduced to Pasalubong Centers who agreed to buy and showcase her products in their stalls. Their enterprise is now registered with DTI as ‘Villaester’s Bag’.
Their bag has been selected by DTI as one of the few bag products to be showcased in three Pasalubong Centers in SM Iloilo, Iloilo international airport and Boracay, Aklan.
They also accepts bulk orders for customized bags. Last July 2015 they have entered into contract with Barbaza Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BMPC) to deliver 100 pieces of ‘aflouton’ bags for their Adopt a School Program. “Aflouton” refers to the material used in bag.
Likewise, a restaurant owner from Sebate, Antique ordered for 100 pieces of bags for give-away to their clients.
Through their enterprise, they have been able to generate employment within the community, recycle scrap materials into functional and fashionable items and resolve inter-personal conflicts among relatives and family members.
Their eldest daughter also helps in thier micro-enterprise when she has free time. She has learned to cut and sew and has likewise earned for her daily school ‘baon’.
And just recently, Rowell was tapped by DTI-Antique as trainor in the conduct of basic bag sewing training for members of the Sto. Rosario Bag Maker of Pandan, Antique.
While Yolanda brought them to their knees, this enterprise has brought them back on their feet to make a difference./dswd6/Maria Aurea O. Pascua