Philippines, Alay Kapwa Cooperative, Manila
The Alay Kapwa Cooperative began in the 1980s in Leveriza, one of Manila's slum areas. It developed out of the Alay Kapwa Christian Community, initiated by the Good Shepherd Sisters, as a response of the people of the area to their own economic needs. The cooperative involves some 500 people. They produce crocheted and embroidered tableware, candles, soap, jam, clothing, cakes and bread, pickles, dried fish, coconut food products, ginger tea, school uniforms, candy, wrought iron products, paper boxes and bags and fish lures. For most of these products there is a local market. A wider market is needed for those products which can be exported.
Recycled products have become a feature of Alay Kapwa in recent times. They produce a range of basketware made from recycled telephone books (baskets, trays and plates). They also produce colourful juice bags - plastic juice pockets sewn together to make strong, attractive bags.
For more information on the Alay Kapwa Cooperative, contact the Central Administration Offices of Alay Kapwa:
Phone/fax: 63-2-5261365.
E-mail: alaykapwa@skyinet.net
Philippines Population: 87,857,473 (July 2005 est.). Infant mortality rate: 23.51 deaths/1,000 live births. Life expectancy at birth: 69.91 years.
