World In Need - Helping the Low Income families

     Last December 11, 2013, our GIN-microlending group came together to help the low income families. This experience was something that we could use our classroom knowledge into application so that we would be able to help others. We planned to use our lessons in economics and business management to help the "Gulay Goodness". This was a project and a brand that was run by the mothers of low income families. They came up with vegetable noodles and snacks which is available at cheap prices as low as 25 pesos.

     When we came together as a group, we first visited the production site so that we know their business with details. We tried making the veggie noodles by ourselves. It was really a good experience as we got to know more about their business as well as the process of production. We also visited the houses of the families and I really got sad with the situation they are living in. It made me realize that I am really living a happy life and I got more thankful for what I have right now. Also, it made me think that I have to help them all the more with the ideas that we have.

     It was really fun working with the team as well. They were all very cooperative and we shared a lot of good ideas to improve their business. We held some meetings to come up with these ideas and I was really happy to use my Economics knowledge into practice.

      When we were done with the proposal to help them in some way, we met one woman from the business to hand over the proposal last April 8, 2014. Although it took us a long process to come up with these ideas, I do hope that it would be a great help for them as she seemed to be happy with the ideas that we came up with. I think the activity was really valuable as we were not only able to somewhat help the people in need but also use our skills into practice. It was also an experience that allowed me to change my perspective that the only way to help the low income families is to share financially. There was always ways to help others in different ways.

The proposal we came up was:

PROPOSALS to Improve Gulay Goodness  

Strengths:

1. Cheap and affordable price
2. The Taste is good (Carrot/Orange is more popular with students at Brent)
3. Fairly inexpensive materials, i.e., Low Costs
4. 16% profit margin

Weaknesses:

1. Oily (can be excessively Oily at Times)
2. Inappropriate workplace, Need to Create New Production Facility
3. Small Variety of Products (If this is the case, focus on specializing in one product)
4. Low Brand Recognition (We need to increase the promotion of the product)

*Students responded better to the snacks rather than the noodles.

Marketing:

1. Free taste tests in streets and markets (Ask Consumers for Feedback)
2. Selling in the canteen of the school
3. Approach other retailer - Good shepherd, Near cathedral, etc.
4. Some reference to local name on the packaging – Baguio, Philippines, etc.

Other Recommendations

5. New Production Facility
6. Maintain Low Price until Greater Sales Revenue is Experienced
7. Approach Various Sari-Sari Stores for Retail Opportunities
8. During Cambiare Allow Customers to Sample
9. Create Signage in front of the School  (Increase Product Awareness)