Citi Foundation and World Vision celebrate microentrepreneurs’ successful journeys
Citi Philippines Citizenship Manager Jackie Ampil and Citi Philippines Head of Corporate Affairs Lisa Coory receives Project Salute’s “One For Children” award from World Vision National Director Rommel Fuerte and World Vision Resource Development Director Jun Godornes
Launched in 2018, the Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship Program aims to strengthen and grow the start-up businesses of 350 microentrepreneurs and provide 50 out-of-school youth with opportunities to learn about entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and gain life and practical skills through values formation and exposure to businesses. Through a partnership between Citi Foundation and World Vision Development Foundation, Inc., the program provided various trainings, assistance in business registrations, and implementation of market partnerships.
On January 31, World Vision held the program’s culminating activity at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City to celebrate its success and accomplishments. More than 150 participants attended the event, mostly representatives from the enterprise groups from different provinces in Luzon, who were recognized for completing the program courses and for their achievements in improving their businesses. One of the highlights of the event was an exhibit area that showcased the fruits of the hard work of the microentrepreneurs. Their products, which ranged from farming produce such as vegetables and meat products to dishwashing soap, bags, and backpacks, were proudly displayed. By the end of the day, almost all merchandise items were sold out.
World Vision Executive Director Rommel V. Fuerte thanked Citi Foundation for supporting World Vision’s efforts in improving the lives of families and communities to overcome poverty, through the 2016 Aiding Vulnerable Families Through Local Value Chain Development and the 2018 Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship grant programs.
Citi Philippines Head of Corporate Affairs Lisa Coory congratulated the beneficiaries for their accomplishments and commitment, so that they can provide a better future for their families. She also encouraged them, “Now it’s your turn to give back and help others in your community, maybe you can provide jobs for the unemployed, share the skills and knowledge you’ve gained or encourage others to save and do their best in their own livelihoods. We hope you can take everything you’ve learned to your own businesses, to your own lives and your communities.”
During the event, World Vision honored Citi Foundation with a Project Salute award for their contribution in enriching hundreds of lives through grant support and other community activities. Rommel V. Fuerte presented the award to Citi Philippines Head of Corporate Affairs, Lisa Coory.
Guest speaker Rolando Pega of AGAP Farmers Association of Laguna, and the 2019 Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards Agri Micro-Business winner, highlighted the importance of perseverance and hard work in his inspirational message. He shared how he started from being a small farmer and all-around labourer to becoming the owner of a successful spring onion farming business with the help of microfinance institution, Ahon Sa Hirap, Inc.
The culminating activity included a panel discussion on entrepreneurship journeys and best practices. Among the panelists were 2019 CMA winner Rolando Pega and enterprise group representatives Jocelyn Fang of Isabela Hog Raising group, Gina Lovedice of Dasmarinas Bag Making group, and Reniel Estorres of Pag-Asa Youth Association of the Philippines.
The Hog Raisers Association of San Isidro in Rosario, Batangas receives the Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship certificate of completion from World Vision National Director Rommel Fuerte and Citi Philippines Head of Corporate Affairs Lisa Coory.
