From Financial Struggles to Stability: Poultry Farmer Virginia’s Journey of Empowerment Through Financial Literacy

In Barangay Rizal, Tomas Oppus, Southern Leyte, Poultry Farmer Virginia and her family had long struggled to manage their finances while helping to run their community-based association’s small poultry business. Despite their dedication, challenges in budgeting, record-keeping, and planning often made it difficult for them to sustain and grow their livelihood.

Everything changed when Virginia, one of the 4Ps beneficiaries, and her group joined the Financial Literacy for Economic Enhancement (FLEE) training in 2023, conducted by the Business Administration Department of Southern Leyte State University–Tomas Oppus Campus (SLSU-TO). The sessions equipped them with practical knowledge on budgeting, savings, record keeping, and simple investment planning.

When the SLSU BSBA team revisited Barangay Rizal in September 2025, Virginia proudly shared how the training transformed their financial habits and strengthened their poultry enterprise. “It was my first time to see our income and expenses clearly written down,” Ma’am Virginia shared. “Before, we didn’t monitor our sales and spending. After the training, we learned to record every transaction and plan where our money should go.”

Applying what they learned, the association became more organized in managing funds. They now allocate budgets for feeds, materials, savings, and reinvestment—and have even started small investments to help their group grow financially. On a personal level, Ma’am Virginia also learned to budget wisely and save regularly, helping her family prepare for emergencies and future needs. “Now, we’re more confident in managing our income,” she added. “We can see our progress and plan for the future.”

Her story proves that with the right knowledge and discipline, even small communities can build sustainable livelihoods and achieve lasting growth.