Caba, PH – Family Increases Their Income – 8 May 2015

Like most of his friends and family, MC makes a living as a farmer. He and his family reside in the rural town of Caba La Union. MC and his wife AC have four children with ages nineteen to twenty four. The husband and wife are both in their mid-forties. The children have all finished high school, but no one has attended college. The two youngest, who still live at home with MC, help their father with his farming. AC, on occasion, washes clothes for neighbors by hand for additional income.

The family recently joined the Food Always In The Home (FAITH)  organic vegetable garden program run by Happy Shine Garden Shop (HSGS). They found out about the program through their friends who had recently started their own FAITH vegetable garden. Through the program, they have learned to grow their crops using organic and other proven growing techniques. The shop has taught them how to make their own organic compost, which has enabled them to save money since they no longer need to purchase commercial fertilizers.

Since joining the program in December 2014, the family has increased their income. They were able to accomplish this in only four months. Prior to joining the program, the family averaged a monthly income of 3,000 Pesos (US$68). They are now earning at least 5,000 Pesos (US$113).

In the future, the family would like to see their two youngest children attend college or a vocational school. They just could not see this as a possibility with the income they were earning prior to joining the garden program. Now with the extra income, the children might be able to attend college, and once they graduate secure a job that pays decent wages.  They, in turn, could then help their parents upgrade their house. MC and AC desire to see their house renovated with a toilet that has plumbing and also a nicer kitchen.

The weather gets very hot and humid during summer, and it’s a challenge to water the plants when the family need to conserve their water. Thankfully, the money they no longer have to spend on commercial fertilizer can help with the water supply expense.

Organic produce is becoming more popular in the Philippines, so the family is planning to plant a variety of organic vegetables in order to supply this growing market.

This means that the garden will be cultivated continuously throughout the year, which the family believe they can manage to do with hard work and by partnering with the HSGS.