Coconut-based Women Entrepreneurship Initiative

Dear Friend,

Warm greetings and thank you very much for your support to our project providing entrepreneurship support to women farmers and their families who are dependent on coconuts. We are happy to report that during this time we are able to expand the intercropping activity we have for coconut farms. In so doing farmers are able to generate income aside from coconuts which take 3 months to be harvested. The waiting time is long for farmers and there is the need to provide for alternative crops like banana, legumes and root crops. Banana is our prime commodity because of the market demand and price is high and do not fluctuate like other crops. We asked all family members to participate since banana planting is laborious and heavy. We were able to support 135 women farmers and their families during this time. Hoping for your continuing help. Thank you very much.

Very sincerely yours,

Cora Sayre

Dear Friend,

Warm greetings and thank you very much for your generous support to our initiative providing for women coconut farmers venturing into small enterprises. This project is gaining momentum as prices of coconuts at present is high and farmers enjoy also good harvest. The dry season caused by El Nino as predicted did not materialize adding to the positive situation as coconuts are rain-dependent. This reporting period we helped a women's association make use of coconut by-products mainly coconut husk to make coir dust for sale in the market. There are many uses of coir dust like fertilizer, garden pots and soil additives as they retain moisture. Market of the product is high as they are also being promoted by local government agencies. We intend to make this a larger enterprise because coconut husk only go to waste and not useful. Other products we intend to use for the market are products coming from coconut shell and coconut fronds. Hoping for your continuing help to this initiative. Thank you very much.

Very sincerely yours,

Cora Sayre