Disabled person becomes successful entrepreneur
By Freddie G. Lazaro
VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (29 June 2005) -- Maria S. Etongan, 39, of Pantay Fatima, Vigan City probed that her physical handicapped was not a hindrance to be successful with help of the Self – Employment Assistance – Kaunlaran (SEA-K) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Manang Maria, as she was fondly called was a polio victim who was married to a fellow polio victim in 1999. After getting married she started her small sari-sari store in a shanty stall along the sidewalk of the Vigan town’s public market.
Armed with experience, strong faith in God coupled with strong fighting spirit, she managed well her sari–sari store despite reaching only elementary level due to poverty..
In year 2000, she diverted her business into Ukay – Ukay (used clothing) selling in the city public market. She borrowed P3,000.00 as her additional beginning capital from the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) of Vigan through the SEA-K program.
Two years after, she fully paid her loan and again borrowed another P5, 000.00 from CSWD and expanded her Ukay-ukay business. After a year, she re-loaned P10, 000.00 as an additional capital for another expansion of her business.
From shanty stall, Manang Maria now is renting two attractive and convenient stalls in the Vigan City Public Market for her business, that served as the family’sr means of income. Out of the business, she managed to built a concrete house.
Blessed with only one child, Manang Maria shares her prosperity by helping her relatives and fellow disabled person in the city. With her wholehearted support and her capacity to help the physically handicapped individual, she was chosen as the pioneer president of the Vigan Differently–able Association or the so-called VIDA. (PIA Ilocos)
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