NEW Pathways to Enterprise Learning to Livelihood (L2L) Program* Midyear 2017 Report by Christine Nielsen, President

Over 150 women (and 4 men) are benefiting from our program (May – August)

Jayces Garello received the NEW Pathways’ Heart Award for her superb service as a Learning to Livelihood program coordinator on Negros Island for 6 months.

Barangay Danao-1, Samar Awarded on May 19, 2017

“So thank you so much for giving me this wonderful opportunity to be part of NEW Pathways and for allowing me to experience and learn everything I could in the last 6 months! It has been tough but it's by far the best 6 months I've had in my life :))”

Jayces Christine Corpuz Garello Director of Volunteer Services, NEW Pathways

June 1, 2017

Dates and Summary NEW Pathways’ Learning to Livelihood Program in Action May 18 – 19: Preparations for Samar Activities (May 18 – 26) Christine (Chris) Nielsen arrived at the Cebu Island airport May 18, 4:00 am, and within hours was united with her team, most of whom flew with her to Calbayog City, Samar Island later that morning. May 19th involved planning meetings at the College of Management, Northwest Samar State University, our local Learning to Livelihood partner institution for Samar, in preparations ofr L2L Level 3: Start Your Business in Barangay Mawacat.** Our “Samar Team” (from left): Noel Arellano, an expert in diversified and integrated farming management with livestock, fish

and orchard production; Joseph Guevarra, Head, Client Services Division, Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation; Reynic Alo, Executive Director, Multi-sectoral Alliance for Development (MUAD); Chris Nielsen, Pres., NEW Pathways; Florabel Canaman, Instructor, Product Development course, College of Management, and Head, Student Publications, Northwest Samar State University; Jayces Garello, Director of Volunteers, NEW Pathways; Corazon Fernandez, President of the Tabao Proper Macrame and Weaving Women’s Association, Juanita Ellaga, member of the Tabao Proper Association; and Julius Bereno, our fine driver.

* The Learning to Livelihood Program consists of 4 levels: IdeaShop Level 1: Business Idea Generation; IdeaShop Level 2: Livelihood Skill Training; IdeaShop Level 3: Business Skills Training; Level 4: Business Start-Up and Development. ** A barangay (brgy.) is the smallest governmental unit in the Philippines, referring to the village/community level.

May 20 - 27: Feasibility study for Integrated Management for Piggery And Current Technology” (IMPACT) Participants: 27 members of Nagka-orosa na Kababaihan sa Danao-1 (NAKADA – “United Women of Danao-1) Henelyn Oben, NAKADA president, received the first NEW Pathways’ Outstanding Association Leader Award, and NAKADA received the first Outstanding Livelihood Association Award. Chris Nielsen pointed out that the success of NAKADA indicated both a great leader and a great group of followers!

May 22-26: Meeting in Cal-igang, and kick-off of week-long macramé training for sling bags Participants: 47 members of the Cal-igang Handicraft-Making Association (43 women and 4 men) The livelihood association meeting dealt with significant marketing challenges, and introduced a sales contest with entrepre- neurship awards, a luxury rental gown business, and outlined macramé ling bags cash flow analysis, profitability, and basic bookkeeping. NEW Pathways is encouraging “sister” livelihood associations. Featured in near right photo: President Renia Velacio, Cal-igang Handicraft-Making Association of Samar Island, with President Corazon Fernandez, Tabao Proper Macrame and Weaving Women’s Association, Negros Island. Corazon is wearing a macramé sling bag used as for demonstration during training.

Our consultants, Reynic Alo and Noel Arellano, discussed their plans for the feasibility study and gathered valuable local market information from NAKADA members.

Corazon Fernandez, President, and Juanita Ellaga, member, Tabao Proper Macrame and Weaving Women’s Association, L2L program graduates in macramé-making on Negros Island in 20XX, served as macramé trainers in Cal-igang.

May 22-27: L2L Level 3, Business Skills Training with IMPACT in Mawacat, Samar Participants: 23 women of Barangay Mawacat. The group is comprised of 18 who chose a bakery business as their livelihood, and 5 who selected sewing, at the conclusion of L2L Level 1: Business Idea Generation in January.

Women’s Bakery of Mawacat Vision: In 5 years the Mawacat Women’s Association will work together with passion to become the leading organization of bakery business in Calbayog City. Mission: We the Mawacat Women’s Association comprised of active women oriented to provide responsive products to the needs of customers such as bread and pastries of Mawacat, Calbayog City.

This week’s program focused on basic business skills, including the importance of Mission, Vision, Goals and Objectives. Six steps to starting the business were discussed: 1: Assess Your Market and develop a Marketing Plan; 2: Know your costs and set prices for your products or services; 3: Make Financial Plans; 4: Organize Your Business; 5: Make an Action Plan for the demonstration period; 6: Start Production. One day of the program was devoted to governance and leadership training, including the process for registering the Association with the Philippine Dept. of Labor and Employment.

Rise to the Challenge: Help deserving women create the Women’s Bakery of Mawacat! NEW Pathways will kick off a special fundraising campaign in September to raise funds for the bakery building renovation, as well as the costs of appliances, pots and pans, and other start-up supplies.

May 27: Flight from Samar Island to Luzon, then on to Negros Island for Luxury Fashion Rental Gown Movie Night in Doldol Participants: Over 150 people, including members of the livelihood association, Barangay Doldol Alliance Towards the Promotion of Environmental Awareness And Community Empowerment (BDATPEACE), other adults.

Standing from left: Gina Limen, BDATPEACE president; Norie Fe Macasira, BDATPEACE member; Merlyn de Pedro, BDATPEACE member and Garment Center manager. Seated from left: Shane Abedong, Doldol Queen and Fashion Show model; Lynde Untal, BDATPEACE Vice President; Jayce Garello, NEW Pathways Director of Volunteer Services; Arman Pedro, NEW Pathways former local manager, UU Church of the Philippines Administrator.

The audience included ~ 75 children who loved our “free popcorn!”

May 27 – June 7: Negros Island Our Negros Island team (from left): Winston Tamayo, our fine driver; Jaycess Garello, NEW Pathways Director of Volunteer Services; Jessa Pasco, Client Services Dept. (CSD), Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation (NWTF); Chris Nielsen, President, NEW Pathways; Joseph Guevarra, Head, CSD, NWTF, our leading local partner for Negros Island programs.

May 28 - 30: L2L Level 1, Business Idea Generation in Masaling, Cauayan Municipality, Negros Island Participants: 34 women entering the L2L program, who learned about four alternative livelihoods: Macrame bag and belt-making; Coco vinegar production; Soap-selling; and Sandals/Flip Flop-making.

Students from the Central Philippines State University – Cauayan Campus conducted interviews with each participant to record their top livelihood choices.

Jessa Pasco is serving as NWTF’s full-time L2L coordinator for NEW Pathways’ activities on Negros Island. Jessa is featured here wearing our “Idea Hat” at the L2L Level 1 kick-off session in Masaling. We are delighted to be working with Jessa as our program expands.

May 31 – June 7: L2L Level 4 with IMPACT in Alijis, Valladolid Municipality Participants: 11 members of the Alijis Women’s Association received Sandals/Flip Flop-making training. The women’s original business start-up was in rice-products, which failed due to difficulties with sales and marketing, and organizational issues. This group, headed by Noemi Pereira, is motivated to make the sandals business a success. They received a NEW Pathways’ grant for training, start-up equipment of a sewing machine, grinder, and materials for the first 3 weeks of production.

June 1-2: Homeward Bound! Chris flew from Negros Island to Manila on Luzon Island, continuing on to Los Angeles and then to Massachusetts for Keith and Chris’ granddaughter’s high school graduation on June 2; and eventually to BWI and home on June 4! July-August Plans: Our junior weavers training program for table top looms will take place this summer. Participants: 32 members of the Valladolid Loom Weavers Association (VALWA), 10 senior weavers will be mentoring 22 junior weavers. Each weaver will receive a table top loom stand, constructed by local carpenters.

Marketing and sales are under way!