Abner, 50, a father of four, is a proud tricycle driver. Through the tricycle loan project of World Vision, his income has improved enabling him to send his four children to college.

Tricycle is the primary mode of transportation in Himaya. In practice, it operates like a taxicab. It will take people anywhere as long as the price is right. This three-wheeled vehicle could fit seven people inside even with loads of luggage.

Abner, 50, a father of four children, is a tricycle driver for more than two decades. He prefers to drive the tricycle because it’s easy to make a living. He starts work at 5:30am and finishes more than 13 hours later at 7pm. “I drive the tricycle six days a week, and take Sunday off to rest,” he says. He considers tricycle driving as a more lucrative livelihood than farming. “This has been a steady day-to-day income to sustain a family,” Abner says.

When World Vision came to Abner’s community, he availed the livelihood project via tricycle loan. He paid his loan consistently for three years. Having his own tricycle spared him from paying a high rental fee to the tricycle owners. “My income increased twice higher than before,” he shares.

Abner finds joy in driving tricycle. He is proud to offer his services in the community. “I bring people to where they go in a very affordable fare,” he says. He receives an average of P8.00 fare per passenger and gives discount fee to children, students and elders. “I earn an average income of P6000 a month, just enough to provide the needs of the family” he shares. 

Abner gets more passengers during rainy season. He doesn’t mind going home wet and tired as long as he earns more and transport people in safety. His most favorite passengers are children who go to school. “I prioritize children because feel inspired seeing them in school,” he narrates. He found many friends on the road too. “I gained many friends -both drivers and passengers. The secret to a happy life is to have bunches of friends,” he adds. 

However, Abner didn’t have good catch all the time. When the oil price in the country increased, his income was badly affected. Twenty years ago, the price of diesel cost a P14 per liter. Now, the price increase more than half of the price before. “Small-scale drivers are also affected with the crisis we are facing now,” he shares.

As an alternative income, his wife Vilma, 48, started to put up a small food business aside from working as a village health worker. She cooks sweetened banana, puto [rice cake] for children’s snacks in school. At daytime, Abner delivers the snacks to school and get passengers in the afternoon. At dawn, some fishermen hire him to deliver their catch to the market. “I’m working harder now to sustain the needs of my family,” he says. 

Abner gets his inspiration from his children. Two of them successfully finished college. Vernie Ken, 23, a sponsored child, is a graduate of criminology course while Henry Ken, 22, finished office administration. Henry Ken is now working as an office clerk and is supporting the tuition fee of his younger siblings. Michael Ken, 19, is a graduating food technology student while Mercilyn, 16, sponsored child, will enter college this school year. Abner stressed that he feels some body pains after a long day of driving. At 50’s his body starts to feel weary but he still has enthusiasm to work more for his children. 

“If not for World Vision, my children will not be able to pursue college,” Abner shares. Aside from the livelihood project, he is glad that two of his kids are enrolled in the sponsorship. When Vernie Ken graduated two years ago, his sponsor, Tini Thomas asked World Vision to sponsor Vernie Ken’s younger sibling- Mercilyn. World Vision covers the half tuition fee of Vernie and Mercilyn. They also receive school supplies and transportation allowance. 

“Thanks to sponsor Tini Thomas for supporting my family all the way,” shares Vernie Ken. Currently, he is processing the requirements to be part of the Philippine National Police very soon. “I promise to give half of my future salary to my family especially in supporting the education of my younger siblings,” he adds. 

Abner’s greatest frustration is to earn a college degree. He failed to finish high school because of poverty. He admits that the road he is taking now is challenging but fulfilling. “My greatest success is to see my children achieve their professions, and its happening,” Abner says.