Rosario Bangot
Rosario Bangot has been fortunate to have in-laws who have allowed her to farm three hectors (10,000 square meters each) but lacked the means necessary to buy the Durian and Banana trees she longed to raise.Then she learned about MEDF. With her first loan she was able to buy banana seedlings. She now has 89 Durian fruit trees and a banana grove with 900 trees. Her first harvest generated 20,000 pesos.
Through her fruit groves she has been able to send both of her children to college. One of her sons is studying banking and finance, while the other is pursuing a degree in crop processing. Rosario is a Center Chief overseeing the progress of six groups of about four people each. They meet every Wednesday to participate in debt repayment, to report on projects, to discuss utilization of newly released loans, and to discuss their monthly social activity. It is also a time where leadership training is provided.
"It's so exciting when I am able to sell my fruit to the whole sale vendors," she said. "Providing for my family and assisting with their college educations has always been importaint to me. It's wonderful to be fulfilling my dream."