To reach out to unemployed residents during the pandemic, together with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Holy Cross College conducted 2-day livelihood training at Barangay Isidro, Santa Ana, last May 27-28.
While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the economy, the school with a heart does a share in helping the livelihood of the community during a health crisis. Residents learned liquid dishwashing soap and fabric conditioner making from accredited trainers of the agency. Also, haircutting training was conducted.
“Sa mga proyekto po ng iba-ibang nagconduct ng mga seminar dito ito po ang pinakapaki-pakinabang na nakita ko at natutunan ko pa sa aming mga nakilahok sa proyekto ng Holy Cross College,” Alfredo Espino said.
This program helped the community to discover skills that they can use for additional income. The training kit worth P650.00 can serve as their capital for a small business on dishwashing liquid soap or fabric conditioner. The training kit can make 15 liters of liquid soap or fabric conditioner to sell 80 pesos or more per liter.
The Community Extension Office distributed kits for haircutting trainees that will serve as tools to learn and earn while doing business at home. The school encouraged residents to start a small business or do online selling of their handmade products.
“Through the skills that they have acquired during the training program, we hope for the participants to be able to put up at least a small if not a microbusiness that will serve as their source of income,” Community Extension Office head, Dir. Amiel Ly Lazatin said.
In pursuit of HCC’s core values, Caritas, the program is also set to roll out to other barangays in the town to teach more residents about liquid soap or fabric conditioner making or haircutting.
“Marahil nagtataka kayo bakit ang Holy Cross College nasama sa ganitong adhikain, ang Holy Cross po kasi mayroong school values ang tinatawag nating Fides, Caritas, Libertas. Hindi lamang po basta eskwelahan ang Holy Cross College kung saan nagbibigay karunungan na magkakaroon ka ng certificate at diploma. Pero tinuturo din po naming ang pananalig sa Diyos at tinatawag na Caritas o pagtulong sa kapwa o pagmamalasakit sa kapwa,” HCC President, Atty. Dennis C. Pangan said.
“Minabuti po naming makipagtulungan sa TESDA kung saan nagkakaroon po ng mga trainings kung saan mga magsasaka naman ang ating natulungan. Ito po ay ginagawa namin dahil alam naming sa panahon ng pandemiya wala dapat sinusunod sa kulay o antas sa buhay kundi tayo po ay magtulungan. Ito pong mga trainings natin ngayon ay samantalahin po natin dahil magagamit po natin ito hindi lamang sa pang araw-araw baka ang iba magustuhan at maging business ito,” he added.
Many successful businesses started from a small initiative, so HCC encouraged residents to make the next big brand or products that consumers can rely upon.
The training highlighted that determination and passion can help residents push a small business during these trying times. A haircutting hobby can turn into a profit-earning business even at home during the pandemic.
“Bilang isang mamamayan ng San Isidro at bilang isang SK Chairman, ang joint project ng Holy Cross College sa pamumuno ni Atty. Denise Pangan at TESDA masasabi ko na isa itong magandang oportunidad, oportunidad para sa mga nais maghanapbuhay,” Marlon Santos said.