MEET ALVIN

Alvin, a 38 year-old husband and father of three, says he thanks God for bringing Side by Side Alliance and the other partners to his community for the IMPACT Project! 

When Alvin heard about the IMPACT Project, he knew he needed to be a part of it. And since March of this year, he hasn’t missed a day. 

But it hasn’t always been easy making it to each training. Alvin works six days a week as a day laborer in a gravel and sand company. He had to request to move his one day off each week just so he could attend the IMPACT training. 

But it’s been well worth it, Alvin says. Even though he’s working almost every day, he sees the skills that he’s learning through the IMPACT Project as an opportunity for a better job and more regular income.

IMPACT Isn’t Just For Alvin

Alvin isn’t just working to support himself, either. Along with his wife, Merlinda, he has three children between the ages of 7-11. Merlinda also works, cutting rice crops by hand with a scythe. When it’s rice season, there’s a good bet she’s out in an owner’s field, helping support her family by harvesting rice.

Being able to provide the necessities of life for his family is a big reason why Alvin hasn’t missed a single training session during the IMPACT Project. He knows that the skills he is acquiring now will help him support his family in the future, even if that means working seven days a week for the time being.

Alvin and Merlinda believe their sacrifices will pay off in the long run. But for now, with Alvin studying hard in the IMPACT Project. Merlinda says she feels like a teacher in their home – helping four students now instead of three! 

What’s Next for Alvin and Merlinda?

Through IMPACT, Alvin has learned carpentry, masonry, steelworks, and plumbing. With these trainings, Alvin and Merlinda see a future beyond day labor. Instead of being a day laborer, Alvin will be certified in one of these four areas as a skilled worker, which will hopefully make him highly sought after by area contractors.

But he won’t have to find a contractor alone. With the help of the IMPACT Project, Alvin will be put into contact with a contractor at the end of the program.

Merlinda says the training is also very practical and she believes Alvin will gain the knowledge and ability to do much-needed repairs to their house.

Alvin and his family are among the dozens of families from two barangays (villages) who are being positively impacted through this training. This program is only possible through donors like you. If you are interested in helping people like Alvin continue their livelihoods training, click here to become an ally.

You can also click here to read about how the IMPACT Project came to fruition, what the project’s goals are, and how IMPACT is assisting families like Alvin’s to build a better future!