SAMPAGUITA, the Women’s Income Generating Program
of the St. Madeleine Sophie Foundation (SMSF)
in Montalban, Philippines,
celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Here are some extracts from the message given by Japan-based Saiko Kobari,
a founding member of the program who continues to fully support this venture.
SAMPAGUITA, which is named after the small, sweet-smelling national flower of the Philippines, started in 2007. I was fortunate to be part of the program at its inception. I facilitated the training of the women in sewing, embroidery, and cross-stitching. Our beginnings were difficult but we were blessed to have the precious support of persons, like Sister Pilar de Tuero rscj and Mrs. Kazuko Arita (the mother of Sister Yuka Arita rscj), and well as the help of other foreign volunteers.
