2020 Start Now! - A Year of Trial and Success
As the Academy continues on its mission to help lift families in developing countries out of poverty and put them firmly on the path to self-reliance, it is helpful to pause and look back at the previous year to gain inspiration for the work that is yet to come. In that spirit, we would like to share some of the successes and statements from our Start Now! programs throughout the Philippines. Each of these training graduates has put in great effort and faith on their journeys to self-reliance, and are representative of the thousands putting their faith to work.
Marilyn Felicisimo
Goal: To earn P15,000 a month to sustain and meet our family's needs
Result: Both my husband and I were affected by the pandemic, thus we experienced reduced income. I achieved my goal because I attended and learned a lot from Start Now! online training. I learned the strategy I needed to sell my products online. After 2 months, I was able to meet my target sales. I have gained confidence and assurance that I can succeed.
Angelita Agawin
Goal: To get out of debt and start a business that can help our family become secure financially, as well as afford a car loan.
Result: We used our skills in baking and started selling baked items, like buco pie, ensaymada, cakes and more. Little by little, our sales have increased beyond our expectations. Through our sales we are now paying the remaining balance for our car loan. My exhaustion and worries have now been replaced by hope and excitement.
Rhoda A. Manaligod
Goal: To earn an extra P2,000 from online business for gardening tools and seedlings
Result: I wanted to start a garden on our small parcel of land for planing vegetables/food that will sustain my family and to sell as well. By focusing on the 25 rules of thumb, my business, which is Ice Cream Candy, has been able to grow and provide the needed income for the garden. We were able to acquire a vacant lot and plant fruits and vegetables. I was able to purchase tools and seeds from the proceeds of my business, and our seedlings and garden are starting to produce. It is an exciting time!
Brian Quinones
Goal: To earn at least P10,000 a month to survive.
Result: We closed our shirt printing shop because our services became unneeded during the pandemic. My monthly payment for shop rental, food, and necessities became a big burden. I attended Academy virtual meetings and I started to bounce back by selling cooked foods. It didn't take off until I attended the Academy program that gave me knowledge. I shifted from selling cooked foods to dried fish. I started again with the right principles in place and I am not just surviving, but am now able to save a little each month as well.
Veniranda Rocha
Goal: To earn P2,500 a month to pay for my medications
Result: As a senior citizen and widow, I rely on my children for financial support. I wanted to ease their burden somewhat by taking care of the cost of my medications. With my business I started through the Academy training, I have been able to meet my goal in 5 months. Not only that, by following the principles the Academy teaches, my monthly income has grown to P26,000! I now am able to support myself completely and alleviate the financial strain on my children.
We hope these few examples of the thousands on the path to self-reliance inspire you to look for the good, practice correct principles, and put your own faith to work in your families and communities.
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