Livelihood Project Examples

Livestock Raising

Livelihood Project Grants have been provided for carabao and carts.  Achievements to date are as follows:

Handicraft Production

Many livelihood units produce quality handicrafts with a Mt. Pinatubo theme.  These items are designed and created exclusively for EVA, and most are made at least in part from Mt. Pinatubo itself - paper, ceramics and glazes of volcanic residue.  The items are then sold to fund EVA's work.  Thus, EVA's fundraising creates more jobs in the region.

Small Retail Stores

A Bakery Business in Talak

Mount Pinatubo Trekkers

The lunar landscape of the Mount Pinatubo Crater has grown into a popular hiking destination for adventurous locals and tourists alike.  The Aetas of Santa Juliana, the starting point for tours of the Crater, have long been active as guides for treks into the crater.  Having lived their lives on the slopes of the volcano prior to its eruption, they are intimately familiar with the region and the changes that have taken place since the eruption.

Recently, with the help of the EVA Charity Foundation, a group of Aetas have begun organizing their own ecotourism tours.  Through their efforts, they are hoping to give steady employment to Aeta guides from the region and maintain the environmental purity of the Crater.  With the assistance of outside donors, EVA has managed to supply the organization with tents, sleeping bags, rucksacks and water bottles.  In addition, an EVA member, who runs an international tourism business, gave the group training in dealing with foreign clients, preparing pre-trip packing lists for guests and other tips. (Click here for photos)

This is only the beginning.  The Aetas' dreams for the future include a cultural center at the base of the Crater, designated parking areas to preserve the environment, and further training in environmental safety and tourism for new guides.  Anyone interested in helping with donations of time, equipment or money would be most welcome.  Those interested in trekking can contact the Department of Tourism at (045) 9612665 or 9612612 or the Santa Juliana Multipurpose Cooperative at Cell no. (0973) 605364 or (0973) 538475.

Training

EVA funds also provide equipment and training for small livelihood groups in the Pinatubo Region.  These investments, primarily involving Aeta women, enable them to support their families, thus keeping their children off the streets and keeping the indigenous community intact.

Recent EVACF-SACOP Loan Projects:

3 Cycle-parts, 8 Sari-sari, 1 grocery, 1 Carinderia, 1 coconut & charcoal trading, 3 Native Kakanin making, 2 auto supply shop, 1 meriendahan, 1 merchandising, 1 chicharon dealer, 1 egg dealer, 1 photo video, 1 rolling store. The locations are: 4 in Arayat, 17 Porac, 1 Maryland resetlement, 3 San Simon, 3 Bacolor, 2 Minalin, 1 Angeles City, 1 Magalang.