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24 The SPiCE Magazine • September 2019 The SPiCE Magazine • September 2019 25

Empowering the Barangay participants are also positive
that the program can help them become

“I am a mother of two women of Milagrosa more financially capable.

Employee volunteers were also happy to

children, and the only take part in the initiative. CSR Program
Despite improvements in women’s rights in the Philippines, POC and Supervisor Sheryl Esmedilla
source of our family employment, particularly for women living in poverty, re- says that their team “loves sharing

mains challenging. An Asian Development Bank study in June knowledge to inspire others” while
income is the salary
concluded that 84 percent of Filipino women given “greater volunteer trainer Dennis Cauan shares,
of my husband, who’s a responsibility for domestic and unpaid care work” and are “There’s nothing more fulfilling than

construction worker. offered “the least opportunities for decent work”. sharing our IT and technology expertise

to the community. This is a good `oppor-
This is not enough to In hopes of addressing these challenges, SPi Global Laguna tunity to make a meaningful difference in
partnered with Samahang Kababaihan ng Barangay
sustain our family’s daily Milagrosa (SKBM), a local nonprofit women’s organization the lives of our beneficiaries.” Currently, SPi Global Laguna is coordinating with technical

schools in Calamba, including Anihan Technical School and
needs. My learning from based in Barangay Milagrosa in Calamba City. SKBM works Calamba Manpower Development Center, for livelihood
with women’s rights institutions, communities, and volun-
SPi will help me to think teer groups in the grassroots to promote feminists ideals, programs. Sessions are continuously held every Saturday
starting August, with volunteers providing livelihood train-
and start a small business lead societal change, eliminate discrimination, and ensure ings such peanut butter and siopao-making.
equal social, political, and economic rights for all women in
that can provide extra the barangay. CSR Champion Macrey Soriano calls on others to become

earnings for my family. catalysts in empowering marginalized women to be
Employee volunteers conducted a training program that
change makers in the community. “Volunteerism requires
I am inspired to be more equipped female barangay members with skills to enhance
two qualities: availability and an open mind. But the best
their employability or serve as an alternative source of in-
financially competitive to advice I can give is to simply join us! We need more volun-
come. On June 8, 15 and 29, they set up computer equip-
teers with good intentions and excellent skills to continue
help my family. ” ment and led IT and computer aptitude trainings in an SKBM
helping these future entrepreneurs carry out their projects.”
facility. Forty-one participants learned about basic PC com-

ponents, MS Office Word, and MS Office Excel application.
- Fatima Songuam,
SKBM President Leovegilda Lanting Orence says that

SKBM member SPi Global’s efforts will help women achieve an improved
quality of life. “We are very thankful to the volunteers. Every

member of our organization can use what they’ve learned to

start a small business and enjoy a better life.”