by Louise Joachimowski
Ireneo Polison Jr. lives with his wife and three kids in a wooden house surrounded by coconut trees. Although he has suffered for years from rheumatoid arthritis, it did not stop him from working hard for his family as a part-time tailor, earning approximately Php500 (US$11.64) per week.
Determined to earn more income, Ireneo accepted an invitation to join the Transform Program through a local church in Bohol. In the program, Ireneo gained additional knowledge about how to develop a productive organic vegetable garden planting vegetables such as bokchoi, eggplant and squash.
In about two months, his empty lot was converted into a productive garden and Ireneo is now reaping the fruits of his labor! Instead of canned goods, Ireneo’s family now eats fresh vegetables everyday and he has notices improvements in his own physical condition. Ireneo is planning to expand his garden in order to plant more vegetables, sell the harvest to the community, and earn extra income for their family.
About the Author
Louise Joachimowski
With a passion for storytelling, a love for the poor, and sharp eye for analysis, Louise is ICM’s Hong Kong Executive Director. Since 2010, Louise has served ICM in Bacolod City and Hong Kong, as well as traveling the world to share ICM’s work. Spending literally thousands of hours alongside the ultra-poor and hearing their stories, she loves nothing more than sharing the stories of heroism and hope that ICM participants have to tell, whether through music, video, writing or photography.
Did you know? ICM delivers Transform for just over US$10 per person.
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