Grecilda Lumbay

Your Donation Makes a Difference...

Grecilda Lumbay grew up with two sisters and five brothers in the Visayan Islands.  The family was so poor that they often did not even have regular meals, eating twice, and sometimes only once a day.  It broke Grecilda’s heart when as a child she was sent temporarily to live with an aunt because her parents could not afford food.  At 18, Grecilda traveled to Manila to find employment.  She was hired as house help and met her future husband, Gerardo Lumbay, who was a worker in the area.  They were later married and blessed with seven children. 

Grecilda started a business in order to ensure providing food for her family every night.  She bought rice cakes and sold them to add to the family income.  She learned to make and market fried cheese sticks.  Her average income grew to $14 per day.  This was a decent income, but still not enough to adequately provide for her seven children or give them an education.  She continuously sought more capital for her business, but high interest rates overburdened her and barely added to the income. 

In 2009, Grecilda learned about Mentors International.  Her first microloan of $65 helped her purchase raw materials, and slowly but surely, her business started to grow.  Now Grecilda employs 50 additional people and receives $65 per day.  She recently received an annual business loan from Mentors International for $2,500.  Her oldest child is in college and two others are currently attending high school.  

Grecilda is a great example of what your donations can do; not only for families, but for entire communities.  Through Mentors International and the contributions of our donors, Grecilda is lifting her family and the 50 individuals she employs out of poverty.

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