This is Olivia, 38, a resident of Bacoor, Cavite, Philippines. Her partner is Gary, a businessman, and they have children. She and her partner manage their household while operating the business. She is working hard to continually provide income for their everyday expenses.

Olivia operates a variety store. In the Philippines, a variety store is a retail store that sells inexpensive items, often with a single price for all items in the store. It is the place to go to buy one sachet of shampoo, a Php 5-worth of cooking oil, or an egg. She earns by getting supplies at wholesale prices and selling by the piece. Her regular customers are her neighbors and the local community. She earns a minimum of Php 500 in sales every day.

She is requesting a Php 30,000 loan to help her continue in the operation of her business. She will use the loan to buy groceries, toiletries and beverages to expand her product inventory.

Olivia dreams of expanding her business, and hopes to give her children a good life and education. She meets up with her co-fellowship* members to share stories of her life and business every week and where she can also draws strength from studying the Word of God.

All CCT community partners/clients are organized into fellowship groups that meet on a weekly basis. A fellowship group is composed of 15 to 30 community partners. The fellowship groups gather each week to study the Word of God, build social capital, and repay microfinance loans.