Before the siege, Minaombao and her four children used to live peacefully Brgy. Guimba, Marawi City. They earned a living by selling native rattan baskets which she also weaves on her own. When the conflict erupted in Marawi, Minaombao and her family were forced to move to out of their hometown. Although they found safety in their refuge, this made it difficult for them to collect the raw materials they need to continue their small business. Minaombao and her sons had to walk for about five kilometers everyday on the hilly slopes of Guimba to transfer heavy sacks of rattan needed to weave their merchandise. But even when things got extra challenging, Minaombao continued to persist.
Fortunately, through the Marawi Recovery Project, Minaombao was among the recipients of cattle livestock as livelihood support during the 6th Kawiyagan held on 28 February 2019. She said that the support they received has helped tremendously in her small business. Now, they have a cow they can use to transport the sacks to her home. Collection of raw materials was easier and faster. Since then, she was able to weave and sell more baskets and nigos, and she also has more time to tend to her family.
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Community and Family Services International (CFSI) took part in the 6th Kawiyagan held at the Marawi City Hall Grounds, 28 February. Through the Marawi Recovery Project (MRP), eleven more beneficiaries received livelihood packages during the ceremonial event. This included kitchen equipment for food vending, cattle livestock for agri-business, and machine for laminating services.
The eleven CFSI recipients in the ceremonial handover were from Barangay Caloocan West, Barangay Guimba, Sagonsongan Transitory Shelter, and Sarimanok Tent City in Marawi City.
Dr. Angelito Quirog, General Manager of Accredited Learning Sites in Entrepreneurial Agriculture Cooperative (ALSEA Coop) graced the event as the guest speaker for the Kawiyagan . ALSEA Coop is a group of agriculture specialists which advocates for the development of marginalized farmers to become entrepreneurs.
MRP is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of the Australian Government. MRP aims to promote the protection, psychosocial, and economic recovery of at least 4,00 families or about 20,000 individuals displaced by the Marawi Crisis. Part of its aim is to restore or replace the livelihood of the vulnerable families affected by the siege.