Taytay sang Kauswagan Incorporated (TSKI): Poverty out, progress in
Ribbon cutting to officially open the
TSKI - Kauswagan Design and
Packaging Center.
Big things come in small packages. Poverty is no hindrance for progress. Being less-privileged can be a match for success.
Too good? But it is true. Hear about the stories of Taytay sang Kauswagan Incorporated (TSKI), the country's largest and most outstanding Micro-Finance Institution. A non-stock, non-profit Christian development organization, TSKI marks its 20th anniversary this year with manifestations and validation of how poverty and progress can be bridged. Of how a revolution of change and Christ-centeredness can make it happen. Of how second chances in life and new start can be taken.
Poverty out, progress in. TSKI with over 200,000 in current victors prove just that. And these are micro-entrepreneurs who are giving 'corporates' a good fight. Thanks to the start-up capital provided by TSKI loans and financial assistance, seminars and skills training, business development service and education program.
Candido "Amboy" Delgado of the Lanot Candy Factory in Cabatuan enjoys the fruits of his labor and continued success, thanks to the break given by the TSKI loan. After having joined TSKI's Micro-Enterprise Development Program and additional capital of P14,000, he managed to expand and flourish that got him the recognition of being the Micro-Entreprenuer awardee given by the CITIGROUP, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Micro-finance Council of the Philippines.
During the Press Conference, from left:
Engr. Zinnia Teruel, Regional Director,
DOST-VI; Angel De Leon, Jr., Exec.
Director, TSKI; Demy Sonza, Board of
Trustees Chairman, TSKI; Pax Dettoni,
Philippine Delegate, Fundacion Codespa;
and Norberto Gomez D Liano, Deputy Gen.
Coordinator, AECI.
His story and success is but one of the thousands of other silent heroes with daily miracles
"Poverty can be fought to oblivion," says Angel de Leon Jr., TSKI Executive Director. "Here we have shown that winning the war against poverty can be done. Creating opportunities for the poor is tested antidote to poverty. We have seen that work in the 80s and now that we are on our 20th year, following the same formula, we are seeing a dramatic change in the poverty landscape."
With twenty years behind, TSKI is redefining micro-finance with "whole-listic" and holistic approach.
What makes TSKI distinct from other non-government groups? It adheres to the "I am my brother's keeper" thinking. It sticks to its formula of keeping Christ in the center of its existence and continued operations.
"Our goal is simple: To be there to help liberate the least privileged of our brothers and sisters from the scourge of poverty. We see ourselves at TSKI as catalysts of change," De Leon added.
Similar sentiments shared by former Iloilo Vice Governor Demy Sonza, now TSKI chairman of the Board.
TSKI officials tour the TSKI-Kauswagan
Design and Packaging Center in
Rizal, Lapuz.
"By God's grace we have had a splendid performance during the past years. With God's blessing upon our plans and labor and with the cooperation of our funding partners like the Fundacion Codespa and Cooperacion Española and the enthusiastic participation of the whole TSKI family, we are achieving our goals. Above all, we move and pray for the transformation of hundreds of thousands of lives that will truly become "the salt of the earth and the light of the world," Sonza ended.
From P2,500 start-up capital with three employees to its current loan portfolio of over P1.9 billion and about 1,500 employees, TSKI indeed has proven that big things come in small packages. That poverty and progress can be bridged. That dreams do come true. That there are true miracles in them, the nation's silent heroes.
TSKI is now present in nine regions of the country's 380 municipalities in the Visayas and Mindanao. It continues to grow with its Kauswagan Bank branches and about 18 more TSKI centers.
With Sonza and De Leon at the helm of the TSKI is Ricardo Gurrea Jr., vice chair, noted lawyer Pablo Nava III, secretary and Reynaldo Ligasan, treasurer. Members of the Board Trustees include Ramon Buenaflor and Esteban Tajanlangit Jr.
To kick-off this year's anniversary, TSKI inaugurated the region's first hi-tech Kauswagan Laboratory Facility, a project linked with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) regional office here and the Kauswagan Packaging Center in Rizal Street, La Paz, Iloilo City.