Perla Manapol, Ed.M.'73, thinks about coconuts all the time. She even started a blog about them called Coconuts Galore with the motto: Always use your coconut. The goal is to get people to understand the value in coconut husks (bunots), which are routinely thrown away as waste but could be turned into environmentally friendly products that provide lasting employment for families in rural areas. Manapol's education campaign started first in the Philippines, her homeland, which, after Indonesia, is the world's second-largest producer of coconuts. Through the nongovernmental organization (NGO) that she created, she started meeting with local farmers and coconut cooperatives, writing letters to legislators, and reaching out to people in other economically depressed coconut-rich countries, particularly cash-strapped Liberia. In person and through her blog, www.coconutsgalore.blogspot.com, this former foreign-service officer provides education and skills training in the hope that the undervalued and underused coconut husk will, one day, reach its full potential.What made you decide to start your NGO, Sustainable Rural Enterprise?
There was a need to organize the small coconut farmers and their families to help them earn more from the coconut.
How do you do this?
The radio plays a very important role in organizing farmers, particularly in rural areas, as do numerous agricultural extension workers who carry out education-information communication activities. In our case, the farmers were already organized into a cooperative, albeit with a dwindling membership and a reputation for noncohesiveness. I am proud to say that our project increased membership, now [with a] majority women.
Are farmers generally receptive to your ideas or do they say, "We already grow and sell the coconuts. Why would we want to take on more?"
Coconut farmers in the Philippines are among the poorest in the country, primarily because of their dependence on one product, coconut oil, making them vulnerable to price fluctuations. We had no problem in introducing the concept of diversifying the product line. Everyone readily welcomed it as a virtual godsend.
No resistors?
Of course there were naysayers, all of them male, who scoffed at rope making and weaving as "work for sissies." But when our women workers started earning money regularly, these detractors quickly joined in.
Why focus on the coconut husk?
There were tons of wasted coconut husks that were left to rot or were burned. We knew that these could be processed into high-value products that would address both environmental and livelihood-generation concerns.
What kind of products?
A coconut husk is 35 percent fiber and 65 percent dust, or peat; both are commonly known as coir. The fiber is made into mats for soil erosion control (coconets) and household items such as doormats and curtains. The peat has higher value than the fiber and is an excellent material for organic fertilizer, filtration, and commercial fiberboard. Many countries in Europe have banned the use of the non-ecofriendly peat moss in favor of the cocopeat.
Mats for soil erosion control?
Coconets are an environmentally friendly and less costly alternative to traditional synthetic and concrete-with-metal soil stabilizers; they biodegrade at a faster pace and have excellent water absorption capability. Demand for coconets worldwide is increasing -- a welcome development, especially as the most common processing method of rope making and net weaving is labor intensive, thus creating jobs for thousands of poor coconut farmers and their families.
Is there a big need for coconets in the Philippines?
Yes. The Philippines suffers from frequent landslides, deforestation, and soil degradation, not just from natural disasters, but also from increased mining activities.
So you were able to find a local solution to a local problem.
Yes, but domestic usage of the coconet is woefully insufficient. It is common talk among industry players that coconets are too cheap and therefore commissions are smaller. China is now the biggest user of coconets.
But on your blog, you note that there is a presidential mandate to use coconets in all government infrastructure projects.
Sadly, there is more usage of the product outside the Philippines, even at a lower buying price. Domestic prices are higher, but it takes forever for the government to pay the contractors and suppliers. In addition, public works are rife with corruption, a condition that small enterprises like ours are simply unable to contend with.
You have started to look at how the husk can be used in Liberia, which has a women's issues-focused president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School. Has this helped you make inroads?
The women of Liberia are amazing: strong, resilient, and impervious to physical discomfort. It is only fitting that a woman also leads the country. Indeed, in March 2009, Liberia and President Johnson Sirleaf will host the International Women's Colloquium where, among other features, we hope to have a booth showcasing coconut-based products made by the women of Liberia with the assistance of the women of the Philippines. Imagine, this "Kokonut Lady of Liberia" shaking hands with the "Lioness of Liberia," then realizing that both share a common Harvard background.
Has your blog helped to educate people?
It's been very useful. I have received so many messages from people all over the world, most of whom simply Google the word "coconut." A number of these contacts have resulted in expanding our mission in other coconut-producing countries.
What do you like about writing a blog?
Reading my own blog is a revelation of sorts, almost always eliciting amazement over the realization that I have changed so much over the years and how much I enjoy every minute of my new life.
With the work you've been doing, what are you most proud of?
I have a niece who joined the Peace Corps and is now working for a nonprofit, citing Auntie Perla's work as her inspiration. My granddaughter joined a church group that builds orphanages in Mexico. My tweener grandson donated his weekly allowance to help build a playground in Grandma's village, while my toddler grandson's outgrown shoes, clothes, and toys are donated to the village children. I'd say I'm one heckuva proud grandma.
What kind of reaction do you get from people about your project's motto, Always use your coconut?
"Huh?" followed by laughter. Or, as my kith and kin tease me, "You went to Harvard and here you are peddling bunot for a living?" My response: "I work pro bono for my NGO. That actually means pro bonehead!"
-- Lory Hough
I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with Perla in Fiji and the Philippines. She is one of my heros! She is one of the most focused, productive, and creative development professionals whom I know. Now she is bringing her energy and love of people to Liberia.
Perla,
I am so proud of you! You are a person who makes the world a better place. I so admire you for your compassion and outreach to the less fortunate. May God bless you as you continue your ministry.
Love, Margy
Perla, you continue to amaze me. I know that you are passionate about coconuts, and helping others. I hope this project of yours succeed and succeed greatly.
Hope to see you again, soon.
Soling
My dear Perla,
You are truly amazing -- so talented, so caring. No wonder you've been my idol since our AFS days (eons ago). I cherish our friendship and I've learned so much from you. May God smile on you always.
Idang
Perla,
I was so happy to reconnect with you in 2008 after so many years apart. You were an inspiration to me growing up and you continue to be an inspiration with all the good you do for the world. I have no doubt that your projects will succeed, largely because of your tremendous energy, persistence and love.
I am so looking forward to seeing you soon.
Love,
Linda
Perla,
It's my privilege to collaborate with you in your sustainable enterprise project. Aklan is proud to host you in your initial work. The fruits of which we make full use of. Keep up the spirit of rural development.
Perla, you're simply marvelous! I hope you will have the energy to sustain your noble undertakings.
Perla is one of the "stars" in Liberia. Her contributions to this country are extremly valuable. It has been my privilege to know her and work with her!!
Hi Tita P,
I just want to say that I'm proud of the work that you do. I wish you nothing but the best. I hope that I can come visit you in Palawan someday.
Love,
Agnes
Perla has been a pioneer in the creative use of coconuts as a means of economic develop that focues on the impoverished. She has been an inspiration to our work at Baylor University on coconuts, a great mentor and has become a dear friend.
How circular this world is! I met Perla in 1974 in Tunis, Tunisia where, as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S Information Agency I was serving as Cultural Affairs Officer. Perla had a grant to coach tennis to aspiring Tunisians! I encouraged her to apply for the Foreign Service, which she did and where she served for a few years before moving on to her current career. I'm glad I spotted the smarts, talent, imagination and a sassy sense of humor. It didn't hurt that she was female and Filipina - this was the seventies, remember! And that I had just come off a brief assignment to the Board of Examiners for the Foreign Service, where I hope I played some small part in transforming that White Boys' Club into something that better represents this country.
William Stephens, Jr., B.A. Harvard 1956; U.S. Foreign Service Officer (Retired);
Director of TELOS (Educational Programs for Retirees), Bellevue Community College, Bellevue, WA
Hi Auntie Perla, I'm sooo proud of you. The passion that you put into coconuts being an eco-friendly substance is extraordinary. Moreso you have expanded your work to Liberia!
Good luck :-)!
It's not only the women of Liberia and the poor coconut farmers of the Philippines that our "Mommy Perla" is helping. She has also been helping young women scholars and working students at a Catholic university in the Philippines as tutor and mentor. She teaches us how to speak and write proper English, conserve energy, and keep abreast of world affairs.
What a wonderful example of a Harvard graduate that uses the blessing of a world-class education to change the world. I have worked with this wonderful lady, she is an inspiration for young professionals around the globe!
Bill, don't forget that I was one of the 15 "pioneers" in USIA's "Comprehensive Minority Recruitment and Training" program, or COMRAT (earning us the monicker "'Rats" !)- an initiative that YOU helped to establish.
Perla, I feel privileged to have had the pleasure of working with you, and thank Kris and Judy at ESG for that lovely happenstance. You epitomize a true development professional -- committed, flexible, brilliant, and fun to work with! I look forward to more work together in Liberia and elsehwere -- carry on Coconut Lady!
Great lesson learned, Tintin! I note that you wrote "abreast" as one, and NOT TWO words!!
Dear Perla
How wonderful to see all your energy and lessons going out to the world.
I would love to be put in contact with Perla Manapol.
Stephen Carre
Consultant
WinterGreen Research
Lexington, Mass
scarre@optonline.net
wow!
great stuff! keep it up..
Thanks perla!
This is a very nice article. I've been in the Philippines a few times. And it's always nice to know about news like this one. It's inspiring.
Paris le 5 octobre 2009
...félicitations ma copine Perla. Je suis fière de toi.Et c'est un honneur pour moi d'avoir eu la chance de t'avoir rencontrée à Calcutta et d'avoir garder le contact avec toi.
Bisous
Ta copine Andrée
Perla, how nice to read about you. You are amazing and full of surprises. We must do more video news together!
Ginny Saunders