Resiliency or the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties is a trait that is exemplified by Ms. Lydia Codiñera and the members of Kapwa 123 SEA-K Marketing. Rising up from the demolishment and relocation of their homes, the members of KSM bounced back and now have a thriving micro-enterprise which creates various household products.

The members of Kapwa 123 SEA-K Marketing started their business with a capital of Php 30,000.00 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. From this initial capital, the group produced dishwashing liquid, hand wash, fabric conditioner, detergent powder and other household products. The group was then given further assistance in 2015 when they were visited by Ms. Geraldine Mabaet, a Project Development Officer from the Sustainable Livelihood Program who was impressed by their product display. The group was then organized into Kapwa 123 SEA-K Marketing and given seed money of Php 250,000.00 to increase the volume of their production and to innovate with more new household products.

Now, the group has continued to grow and innovate with a new marketing strategy for their group and plans to reach out to 3,000 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino beneficiaries for training in the production of Kapwa’s products. Kapwa 123 SEA-K Marketing has also bagged second place in the recently held Bangon Kabuhayan Award which recognizes outstanding practices in the micro-enterprise development and the employment facilitation tracks of the Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Written by Denise Marygrace O. Santos, DSWD National Capital Region