Livelihood Program

Hello,

I’m Lomi :)



We are supporting not only children, but also their families. If the families have some problems, it is too hard for children to live peacefully.



This school year, one of our targets is to teach some skills to mothers to make them independent.



We taught them how to make "puso", hanging rice in the first session.



This is a very typical local food. At first, weave small baskets using coconut　leaves. Then, put rice into them, and tie them. Put them into boiling water until the rice is cooked.　Many Filipinos eat them for their lunch or dinner.



In the second session, we made “binangkal” which are donuts sprinkled with sesame seeds.

In the third session, we made “yema”, milk candies. The following is a report of Liz, about how to make these candies.

I told the parents to wash their hands before we start making the “yema”. “Yema” is a milk candy. Two mothers were busy preparing the packaging for the candies. They cut the cellophane into 2.5inches by 2.5inches squares. I heat the frying pan, put in margarine and pour condensed milk into the pan. I put in egg yolks, then crushed peanuts. I let one of the mothers cook the yema by constantly stirring the mixture until it makes a fold when it is scooped. Then, let it flow into the mixture.



The frying pan was then put on the table to cool. One young mother is just observing because she carries her youngest son while breastfeeding. The yema mixture is now ready for packing, so everybody got spoons and scooped the mixture. I taught them how to make a neat packaging. They divided the yema candies equally to everybody. They were all happy that they learned how to make Yema candies.



We made 119 candies. Our cost was only 139.00pesos (3dollars 50cents). If we sell at 2.00pesos (5cents) each, the total sales will be 238.00pesos (about 6dollars), so they will have a profit of 99.00pesos (2dollars 50cents). Not bad at all.

This is a nutritious candy for their children. They are now planning to make them so that they can earn money later for additional income. They plan to sell them around their neighborhood. They were very happy that they learned a lot during livelihood class. They are so thankful for the lessons.



They then washed all the utensils that they used and went home.

Liz



I used to buy yema which was small rounded shapes covered with granulated sugar. According to Liz, they made a ball of yema by hands, so sometimes they are not so clean. In addition, if we wrap yema with cellophanes, they look bigger than they are. It is very important to show the products attractively. I agree with her.



Actually, I really like yema, so I always buy it, when I go to Cebu. Once I start eating them, it is too hard for me to stop, because It is so yummy!

Lomi :)