Rodina

Rodina is a 49-year-old widow mother and entrepreneur. Her eldest son is married and lives separately while her two other sons are currently in college in different levels. Aside from receiving her husband's monthly pension, Rodina is also engaged in a number of business activities to increase her income opportunities. Right now, she operates an eatery business and a small-scale sari-sari store to keep earning an income to cover their household needs, her enterprises and support her two dependents.

In 2012, Rodina started selling roasted chicken (locally known as lechon manok) outside the public market. Three years after that, she opened up a shop found inside the market focusing on selling various kinds of vehicle parts and accessories. In her shop, she also offers photocopy and book binding services. Having multi-tasking business under one roof means she could earn extra income on a daily basis. Her first business lasted for seven years and her second business is still operating. It is now being managed by her married son so he could earn an income to support his own family.

Since the pandemic, Rodina has been operating a small-scale sari-sari store outside a cement manufacturing company found in the village where she lives. She often sells a wide range of grocery items commonly needed by the villagers and the workers. Her store is open from 4 at dawn until 9 in the evening.

After a week of the store opening, company workers requested Rodina to sell food. To accommodate their requests, she decided to engage in running an eatery business. Every day, she cooks affordable yet delicious dishes. Some of the dishes she serves are pork adobo (sautéed pork), pancit, pork chops, beef steaks, fish soup, fish fillet, and others. She hired one female to help her in the daily operation of the cafe and store. The average sales per day in her store is between 3,000 pesos and 3,500 pesos (£45.16 and £ 52.69) for her eatery business. During paydays, her sales increase because workers repay their store debts.

Rodina is requesting another loan from MFI Lamac in order to access more capital to restock her store with more snacks, soft drinks, beers, and a wide range of groceries. A part of the loan proceeds will be used to deal with the school fees of her two sons. Rodina works harder for her business to grow even more for her two sons to finish college.