Melanie Hernal

Even though she has only one daughter, Melanie Hernal still works hard to earn a living because she wants to provide her daughter with financial security. She is a 43-year-old woman, living in the village of Brgy. Canggapas Anahaw, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental. Melanie is married to Jose Hernal, a truck driver who delivers sugarcane from the farm to the sugar mill. Driving a truck, in an industry that is known for its seasonality, cannot provide even a small family with a stable source of income. Even less, when the actual amount he receives for his labor is examined.

With no guaranteed income from her husband for part of the year to rely on for their family's needs, Melanie decided to earn her own living to supplement whatever income her husband earns and to provide their family with a more stable financial resource. When she was ready to start her business, she joined NWTF-Project Dungganon to access a collateral-free loan it offers, and used it to set up a general store.

As her earnings grew, and her customer base expanded, she saw another opportunity for expansion - offering electronic reloading to prepaid mobile phone subscribers, many of whom were already patronizing her general store. With the fast turnover of her business she was able to increase her income. She now earns a monthly average of 7,000 pesos from her general store. Her industriousness has paid off: she is happy to report that her daughter has graduated from college.

In her previous 16th loan cycle, she was able to borrow 19,000 pesos which was used as additional capital for her business. She paid back all of the weekly installments on time, keeping her good credit rating with NWT-Project Dungganon. She is planning to borrow 19,000 pesos for her 17th loan cycle to support her general store and electronic reloading business.

About NWTF:
In a world full of challenges, Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation, Inc. has answered the call of not just a few, but thousands of women. Through the alleviation program, these women have progressed from earning less than a measly $1 a day, to realities surpassing their dreams. They have learned to live a life that can finally be called honorable. This is Project Dungganon!

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