Made to last: from trash to durable eco-friendly bags.

Made to last: from trash to durable eco-friendly bags. Elena Mabano (rightmost), a microfinance client of CARD Bank from Toril, Davao City is into businesses that protects and preserves the environment. She makes bags from used tarpaulin and clothes for more than five years. She was inspired to use tarpaulin in making her bags because she observed that many banners and streamers are along the streets, in electric posts, and other places. She thought that these materials can be turned into bags that are durable and can be used for a lifetime. So in 2014, she availed a microfinance loan in CARD Bank, Inc. to finance her new and unique line of business. Elena now successfully made her business bigger and displayed her crafts at the Pasalubong Center in Davao City. Now, she trains communities, especially students, so they can benefit from her enterprise and learn from her experience. Elena, like Raquel Lanaban (leftmost) who is into paper wallet making, was also tapped by CARD MRI Hijos Tours so that their products become integrated into its tour programs. CARD Bank and CARD MRI Hijos Tours are among the 21 member institutions under CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), a group of social development institutions that is in the business of ending poverty in the Philippines through microfinance and community development programs. Also in the photo are CARD MRI Hijos Tours Tour Assistant Russel Idul (2nd from left) and Tour Manager Cyrene Grace Lubigan (3rd from left).