AHON SA HIRAP, INC.
(A Microfinance NGO)
NEWS
Ahon sa Hirap, Inc. Helping Families Become Resilient
Through micro-loans, Ahon sa Hirap, Inc. (ASHI) empowers nanays to become financially independent. “Seventy percent of our 85,000 members own sari-sari stores and other informal businesses,” said ASHI President Mercedes Abad. With their livelihood wiped out by the pandemic, members have had to depend on ASHI to keep their households afloat.
From delivering Jollibee Group FoodAID food packs to expanding support services, ASHI has become their members’ safety net. Collection of dues is suspended. Members have access to savings, emergency loan, microinsurance benefits, and support for getting government assistance.
“It’s our social commitment. Now that our members need us the most, we won’t leave them behind,” Mercedes said.
Ahon Sa Hirap, Inc. Expanding activities to reach more women entrepreneurs
The microfinance institution (MFI) Ahon Sa Hirap Inc. (ASHI) provides microfinance and other services to female entrepreneurs living in poor areas and vulnerable settlements near river banks in six provinces of the Philippines, including Laguna, Rizal and South Metro Manila. It has a network of more than 20 branches.
ASHI strongly supports women entrepreneurship and cares for its clients. It has endorsed the client protection principles of the SMART Campaign and makes sure clients only take out loans that they can repay. ASHI also runs a financial literacy programme for its clients.
ASHI uses Oikocredit's loans to expand operations, especially its agricultural portfolio in the provinces of Antique and Aklan.
ASHI has been an Oikocredit partner since 2011.
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Ahon sa Hirap Incorporated, Philippine Social Security System to Expand Coverage to 25,000 Women Entrepreneurs
The Social Security System (SSS), the Philippines’ state-owned pension fund for private sector employees, reportedly has announced a new agreement with Philippines-based microfinance institution (MFI) Ahon Sa Hirap Incorporated (ASHI) to expand SSS coverage to 25,000 female ASHI borrowers.
PHILSTAR GLOBAL: How they did it: Three microentrepreneurs banked on agricultural resources, rich cultural heritage to succeed in business
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is blessed in natural resources and a rich cultural heritage, so it is heartening to see these three entrepreneurs recognizing the value of these priceless treasures, as they show us how one can harness these resources for a profitable business.
For this reason, Rolando Pega and Rosanna Sinapilo were recognized with the Special Award for Agri Micro-business, and Caroline Jamias was given the Special Award for Preservation of Traditions in the recently concluded 2019 Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards (CMA).