Charity begins at home, so the adage says. TSPI builds on the basic unit of society, the family, to benefit the wider community and ultimately, society. Through various projects, it endeavors to improve the economic situation and enrich the lives of clients as well.
Near Neighbors
On March 14, 2024, TSPI Chairman Emeritus – David Bussau together with TSPI Executive Director Alice Cordero, Executive Director and TSPI Board of Trustee Toto Malvar visited the Tondo Sambayanihan Center hosted by the San Miguel Foundation’s Better World Smokey Mountain (BWSM) in Brgy. 128, Balut, Tondo, Manila.
It was a day well-spent in dialogue with San Miguel Corporation Vice President and San Miguel Foundation Executive Director Kin Lichauco.
Built by SMC, the building is located in the middle of 30 tenement buildings and located beside the Estero de Vitas. It hosts five organizations, as co-partners, with the same purpose: to help people in the name of God.
- AHA Learning Center, represented by Teacher EJ Lapira, Managing Director, teaches children.
- Upskills Foundation Inc., represented by Mary Rose Armario, Project Lead, provides livelihood opportunities.
- Project Pearls, represented by Jonalyn Andia, a community mothers, gives livelihood opportunities and scholarships to children who lack the means to finish their studies.
- Sandiwaan Center for Learning, represented by Fr. Benigno Beltran, Executive Director, conducts Alternative Learning System ALS training for working students and out-of-school youth.
- TSPI
Mr. Bussau spoke with seven TSPI clients who proudly told him about their various businesses. One of them, Gina Antonio, a TSPI client for 14 years, has supported her four sons mainly from earnings of her streetfood business. She has been running her business for 12 years. The 44 year-old widow had to pivot during the COVID outbreak. After the pandemic, she was able to resume stall operations at a busy section within her community.
Lolita Estinor, 63, has been a TSPI client for eight years. The mother of four has been running a junk shop in Tondo for all 30 years that she has resided there. Jovy Angeles, 57, has been running a sari-sari store for seven years and has been a TSPI client for 14 years.
They were animated as they how more people in the community were earning from their entrepreneurial endeavors, especially those who benefited from microinsurance claims. These were used for their homes and businesses–to improve their living conditions.
In the face of all of these bright spots, TSPI’s Sambayanihan Programs will further extend to serve more communities in Tondo. In the face of all of these bright spots, TSPI’s Sambayanihan Programs will further extend to serve more communities in Tondo.
