ADDRESSING POVERTY THROUGH SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD OPPORTUNITIES

For the past few days I have been contemplating on what to take in college. Its only a few months away
and I have to make up my mind. I have already asked my family and friends for opinions. Unfortunately,
the more answers I get the more confused I become. But one advice which really stood out was that for
me to sidestep from courses that have more job-seekers than job opportunities.
That makes me wonder how most people survive when work is not that many. For example, in a job
interview, thirty applicants are in a queue. When two or three of them get the job, what happens to the
rest of the applicants? Find another job? What if all are taken? How do they work it out?
It could get a little frustrating. The working population has proliferated. Employment is cutback. Making
a living becomes a priority the moment you get your college diploma. Your motivation to work may
range from sending siblings to school to possessing costly things like gadgets but having an income gets
more important when you already have your own family.
You could be jobless and depend on other people like family and friends but if help has stopped coming
in, you could end up in the streets begging for alms anticipating generous people to extend their
assistance. But what happens when what you receive is not enough to feed your family? Thats just like
snatching away the crutches from a crippled person. You could no longer provide even the basics. What
you need is something sustainable. And fortunately, there is a way.
It has recently been added to my knowledge that the Municipal Government of Dalaguete is assisting
and strengthening peoples organizations (POs). What happens is that a group of people who are mostly
not employed have come together. They engage in an activity that would become their means of
livelihood.
Let's say, a group of women came up with an idea. They would do basket weaving as livelihood. To
obtain the materials and the capital needed, they would seek the help of the municipal government or
other national government agencies such as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). This
would be their head start. Whether the money that they get is grant or zero-interest loan, their means
of living is assured. The income they get from selling their baskets will be divided among themselves and
a portion of it will be kept by the group to purchase more raw materials to increase their production.
Members of the PO are assured of a steady income through this sustainable livelihood opportunity
which is provided by the government.
However, organizing themselves into a PO is not that easy. There are a few things to keep in mind and
characteristics to obtain. Speaking of which, these characteristics happen to be possessed by none other
our patron saint, Seor San Guillermo de Aquitania. First, you got to have faith that you could make
things happen. Build mutual trust with other members in the organization because they are the ones
who will be with you in facing the challenges that lie ahead.
Being sensible must not be left out on the list. See, not everyone possesses the same kind of talents and
capabilities. No, others need to be taught. More the reason why they conduct seminars and workshops
for their level of knowledge and capabilities to be even. Leading up to our third characteristic-courtesy.
As you work in an organization, you need to respect others. Some learn at their own pace and some
have shortcomings. But to work as one, you have to have a heart big enough to accept them.

From all these things come peace and efficiency. Of course there will be challenges that might cause a
slight disorder. But thats the point- we need them to grow stronger. As much as it does, we must not
forget the perks of a peaceful organization. Like lesser problems. Productivity. Most of all, the
sustainability of the livelihood opportunity.
Thinking about it, poverty can actually be addressed. We just have to realize that we can actually come
up with a lot of things.