Filipino Father Opens Business

It was a hand-to-mouth existence for Rolando and Emy Simbahon. To them, poverty was not just a word, it was the only life they knew. "I was thinking the Lord did not love me," commented Emy. "We experienced times where there was absolutely nothing to eat. My husband, who is a mere construction worker, would go for weeks without a job."

They live in the squatter site of Payatas, the city's trash dump. During monsoon season construction jobs are nonexistent. The family had no choice but to scavenge through the garbage. They made less than a dollar a day. "I wasn't ashamed of the fact that we would eat out of the garbage dump," commented Emily. "Once we found apples thrown away by some rich folks, we'd take them home and eat them."

Rolando decided to put his construction experience to work for his family. It all began by building their shanty house in just two weeks. He found all of the roofing, plywood and timber in the dump. Then a businessman commissioned him to look through the piles of trash for old shoes. On a good day, this father would make as much as $4. Then Rolando decided to fix and sell the shoes himself. Soon he was dying, nailing and gluing the old shoes back together and then selling them for one dollar.

From recycling old shoes, Rolando eventually learned how to make brand new pairs. However, he could only make a few because he didn't have investment resources. Then he heard about Operation Blessing's Bayanihan Savings program. This micro-enterprise program teaches poor individuals and villages how to begin and build a business, with the ultimate goal of helping them to be financially self-sufficient. Rolando received a loan equivalent to $20 and was able to begin to produce more shoes. Today, his small shop produces eighteen pairs every week!

Operation Blessing also has helped the Simbahon family with other needs. One of their daughters suffered from asthma, but the concerned parents couldn't afford medical care. Our partners assisted in making sure she received asthma medicine for six months and a chest x-ray. The little girl is now asthma free! The Simbahon children also participate in our Back-To-School and Bless-A-Child programs. They receive nutritious food once a day and attend school with all of the required supplies. Thank you for helping this family have a bright future!

There are countless people living in poverty around the world. It's not because they don't want to work. They can't find any work. You can help them live a healthy, educated and fruitful life. Please give them a chance to succeed.

Help us break the cycle of suffering today!