In Lemery, Iloilo City, 71-year-old Evangeline Suarez faced a challenge many small business owners can relate to. With her small catering business and a modest store offering frozen food products, she faced a huge challenge, grappling with the pressing need for capital to meet the growing demands of her customers. The anxiety deepened when the COVID-19 pandemic hit due to the uncertainty over the fate of her small businesses. Like many entrepreneurs, Evangeline wondered how she would survive and sustain her small business.

Project RISE provided opportunities for Evangeline. The Project, aimed at supporting local entrepreneurs, women, and farmers, presented her with a lifeline by providing much-needed financial backing for her business. The timing was impeccable, and despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Evangeline’s small business survived and thrived.