Rotary Club of Metro Kalibo carefully plans to address community economic problems such as unemployment because of poverty and also the negative impact of the pandemic. Through projects that are well-planned and implemented by the club and with community involvement, the members are able to address a few of the said basic need.
President-Nominee Edwin L. Autencio reminisced about his stint as the ALS or Alternative Learning System teacher-volunteer in 2015-2016:
“Mrs. Josephine Pintor was one of my former trainees in Dressmaking Livelihood Skills Training way back in 2015-2016. While her daughter Lorejoy graduated in 2018 as the first batch of the Senior High School at Numancia Integrated School (NIS). Her batch was the first one to use the Rotary International Global Grant #1980249 in Dressmaking (RY 2017-2018).
I taught them the basic pattern-making and sewing of blouses and skirts, and other than that, how to make a tote bag out of a flour sack (katsa). She used to be very shy, yet I always saw her interest in doing the activities of the training.
Years past, as the pandemic hit us with the remedy of isolation from the community, I have seen some of her posts selling online a trendy tote bag. Simple yet fashionable, but the craftsmanship is very notable. Upon her posting, just in a few minutes, it was already sold. So I messaged her to make some queries about it and confirmed, it was made by her mother. And she expressed how thankful she was to me because if not for that training that her mom once attended, they could not survive the financial struggles of the family in this time of pandemic.
This is the very reason why I keep pursuing training outside my classroom hoping that one day, it will help them in some way or another. And this is one of the fruits of my labor of love. I am so happy to know that it helps them in this time of pandemic.
Currently, mother and daughter are now into online selling of fashionable bags, etc. I am so happy to know that it helps them in this time of challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. I am hoping that it will become a good business for them and will prosper more,” said PN Edwin.
They received additional fabrics, COVID-19 safety kits and other materials for additional provisions to their needs. This and a few more stories to share.
Meanwhile, a new batch this week until the end of October embarks on the club’s Dressmaking Livelihood Skills Training in response to Economic and Community Development. President Nominee Edwin will personally see them through. There are 11 non-working mothers who availed of the club’s free mobile skills training and also received Safety Kit (facemasks, alcohol, faceshields and Multivitamins with Iron) from the club in partnership with Rotaract Club of Metro Kalibo.
“There are very limited skilled dressmakers at this time and I hope that they will be a part of the industry. Starting small but with big dreams, we can’t wait to see more of their success,” Edwin added.
The club truly appreciates the support of Rotaract Club of Metro Kalibo, Albasan Elementary School, Trikee Solutions, Inc., The Creative Child Learning Center, PWD Association of Tangalan and Numancia Vice Mayor Ogie Enero.
Together, we can and we will survive this pandemic. Just keep your faith. Stay safe!
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