PoncianaWeaving a Better Future for Her Family

Basket weaver · Entrepreneur · Mother

Portrait of Ponciana in her workshop — Photo 01 · DSCF9292

Something greater than a day’s work

For the past ten years, Ponciana, 47, has been making baskets and other handicrafts from bamboo and rattan in her home province of Cebu. What began as a way to supplement the family income has become an important part of providing for her four children, particularly their education.

Ponciana and her husband, Antonio, have raised four children. Their eldest is now married, another is working, one is attending college, and their youngest is completing senior high school. For Ponciana, seeing her children progress through school and begin to build lives of their own is perhaps the greatest reward for her years of work.

Ponciana's hands weaving bamboo — Photo 03 · DSCF9273-2

Ponciana weaving from above — Photo 04 · DSCF9288

Ponciana weaving on the floor of her workshop — Photo 05 · DSCF9330-2

Finished woven fans and weaving tools — Photo 06 · DSCF9441-2

A decade of skilled work

Today, she works alongside one employee, producing seven different types of handicrafts, including baskets for carrying goods and traditional winnowing fans used for separating grain. Together, they make and deliver around seven dozen pieces each week. Antonio earns his living as a driver, but when driving work is slow, he joins Ponciana to help with production.

Like many small entrepreneurs, Ponciana faces the challenge of having enough working capital to purchase materials and maintain production. She has applied for a loan through Lendwithcare to buy bamboo and rattan in larger quantities, allowing her to reduce costs and keep up with orders.

Ponciana's family home — Photo 07 · DSCF9397

Ponciana standing behind her mother — Photo 08 · DSCF9389-2

Family graduation portraits and certificates displayed at home — Photo 09 · L1020645

The Future

Ponciana has spent a decade building a business that provides a steady contribution to her family's livelihood. It may be modest in scale, but its impact can be seen in the opportunities her children now have.

Ponciana standing with her daughter — Photo 10 · DSCF9480

A better future

With one child in college and another finishing high school, the income from her handicrafts continues to help provide something that will last well beyond the baskets themselves.