Cristina’s New Path to Progress

“Hard work” could be Cristina’s middle name.

The mom-of-three works alongside her husband on a sugar cane plantation in Mabinay in the Philippines. The job comes with long hours and backbreaking labor – all for 150 Philippine pesos, or around $2.50 in US dollars, per day. And when her husband fell ill – his body worn out from overwork – for an entire year, Cristina supported the entire family alone.

Cristina never resented the demands on her time, or her physical and mental energy. A loving mother and wife, she was willing to do anything for her family. But what she found stressful was that no matter how hard she worked, she could never seem to get ahead.

Her meager salary went entirely towards food and other necessities, with anything that could be spared going to help get school supplies for her kids. Setting anything aside for a rainy day – and Mabinay has many – was impossible.

So when Feed the Children arrived in Mabinay offering, among other things, a program that would allow her to save money, Cristina was initially hesitant. Still, she knew something had to change if she ever wanted to build a real future for her family.

Cristina joined the Feed the Children-supported Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) and soon became one of the most active members, even becoming elected as the money counter.

Feed the Children also supported the community by providing school supplies and a supplemental feeding program for young children. This freed up enough of Cristina’s limited income to allow her to contribute to a savings account – which was soon to pay off in a big way.

Thanks to the VSLA, in what felt like no time, Cristina was able to withdraw a sum of 13,000 Philippine pesos! That was enough to start building a new home, one sturdier and better-suited to stand against Mabinay’s storms. Moving into the house marked a significant turning point for Cristina’s family. For the first time, it felt like they were moving forwards.

“The Feed the Children program has been a lifeline,” Cristina says gratefully. “By fostering a culture of saving, we are empowered to achieve financial stability and overall well-being.”

Thanks to your support, communities like Cristina’s are finding new paths forward to happier, healthier lives!