JCI Naga Inc. and JCI Nagueña unveils Project KKK, “KABUTEhan Para sa Kabuhayan at Kalusugan”
By Jhun Favorito
JCI Naga Inc. and JCI Nagueña together with University of Nueva Caceres Institutionalized Community Extension Services (UNC-ICES) headed by the Director, Ms. Francisca Sabdao, and Gawad Kalinga Camarines Sur represented by Ms. Grace Laulong Pante, Community Development Coordinator, have launched KABUTEhan para sa Kabuhayan at Kalusugan (KKK) Project to provide seminars and trainings to the beneficiaries from Gawad Kalinga Abanggayon Village (GK-AV) Pamukid, San Fernando, Camarines Sur.
Project KKK aims to enhance the socio-economic conditions of the members of the GK- AV by strengthening their livelihood through providing income stability by growing mushrooms, providing them increased access to and use of knowledge and technology on mushroom cultivation and innovation, while simultaneously securing a nutritious food source and strengthening the farmer’s mental health and well-being.
The “KABUTEan” composed of JCI Members and also Masters in Business Administration students of the University of Nueva Caceres namely Trisha-Marie Albeus, JCI Nagueña 2023 External Vice President as Project Chairman, Everild Gerd Pablo, JCI Naga 2023 Director for Connect as Co-Chairman, and JCI Members Glenn Altea and Josh Manila, will work to achieve these goals through a five-day series of workshops and trainings that will give value and open opportunities to the Abbanggayon families.
“Limited funding, lack of knowledge in product marketing, and no proper market has resulted in oversupply [of mushrooms]. Through having basic knowledge in mushroom production, and doing continuous harvest to provide themselves another source of income through the years, we have seen entrepreneurial opportunities for GK-AV” shared Trisha-Marie Albeus, Project Chairman.
“[Also] We are pushing for mushrooms to be considered as an alternative for meat. If we make people aware of the nutritional and medicinal values of oyster mushrooms and, have them readily available and visible in our local supermarkets, we are hopeful that people will come to realize the value of mushrooms. Let us spread KABUTEhan to EveryJUAN by giving our consumers a healthier choice.” she added.
During the inaugural activity last Sunday, February 19, 2023 30 beneficiaries from GK-AV participated in the kaMUSHtahan: Mental Health and Mind-Setting Seminar which discusses self-care and coping strategies for entrepreneurs which was facilitated by Niña Salve King-Bañas, JCI Nagueña 2023 Director for Connect and Edward Joseph Ortua, JCI Naga 2023 Secretary. Randy Rosero, JCI Naga Member and owner of Chef Buster Cuisine, and Matt Punzalan, JCI Naga 2023 Director for Impact and owner of Marchilino Products also shared their experiences on business management and gave several pieces of advice and tips on how to thrive in the competitive business market. The group also handed the first sack of sawdust donated by New Camarines Lumber to the GK-AV Mushroom Growers the same day.
Project KKK is set to conduct series of trainings and seminars with the help of JCI Naga Inc. and JCI Nagueña volunteers every Sundays of February until March 2023 which includes Financial Literacy, Pricing and Marketing Strategies, and By-product Making and Food Processing Training.