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Alma Diana Lizbeth is from Mexico. She needs a loan of $1,000 to purchase an enclosure for merchandise .
Alma Diana Lizbeth is from Mexico. She needs a loan of $1,000 to purchase an enclosure for merchandise .
Alma has a small business selling food and beverages from her home. With a loan from World Vision, Alma plans to buy a secure enclosure for her merchandise so that she can expand her business and move it to a street corner. With the additional income she will earn, Alma plans to pay for her own educational expenses.
Alma is a single twenty one year old woman, living with her parents and attending school. Her parents are unable to continue to pay for her education because they have other children in school. An investment in Alma’s loan will allow her to earn the income she needs to stay in school and get her degree. In the future, Alma hopes to expand her business and earn enough to help her siblings continue their educations.
Retail is a quick and scalable way to begin earning a profit. Many entrepreneurs begin with stalls at markets or even at home and need a loan to expand or increase their inventory. Others may be ready to open a small store. Goods purchased from loan funds range from clothing, grocery or sundry items to jewelry, candy, perfume or health and beauty supplies. Loans in the commerce sector account for around 33% of our loans.
Home to a primarily ethnic Mazahua population, the community of Najhé is located in a mountainous region in northeastern Mexico State. The climate is sub-humid, but temperatures are typically cool due to the region’s high elevation. Windstorms are common during the early spring, followed by heavy rains in the summer and frost in the winter.
Women in Najhé continue to wear typical Mazahua dress, and some community members uphold traditional artisan practices, producing pottery, woodwork, and crafts made of wool. The primary economic activity is agriculture. Squash, beans, and fruit are grown for consumption, while corn is grown both to eat and to sell.
World Vision’s work in Najhé includes agricultural assistance to improve nutrition and family incomes; vocational training and tutoring sessions; and self-esteem workshops. We are also working to improve health conditions by training volunteers who can educate community members and by providing housing materials that will contribute to better living environments.
Alma invested the loan in the purchase of oranges, carrots, anise, and appliances to make and sell juice. She also purchased plastic cups, cutlery, and a tarp to cover the stand.
Alma said, "Yes, my business improved significantly with the loan, because I didn't have money to purchase all what I needed. I couldn't afford it with my income, and I could only reinvest in the purchase of oranges. But with the loan, I purchased everything, and now my sales are up, and the stand looks just as I planned."
Alma has made all of her payments on time thus far. Her sales have gone up since the new products have been available. She is now thinking of expanding to sell sodas and tortas (type of sandwhich) at the stand as well.
Alma says that her business improved considerably after receiving the loan. She purchased oranges, carrots, and beets to prepare juices and "tortas" (a kind of sandwich). She also purchased sodas for those customers who prefer them instead of natural juices.
According to Alma, her quality of life has improved now that she is making more money. Selling tortas (sandwiches) pushed her business to grow a little more, increasing her profits and allowing her to keep investing. She used to sell juices only, but her customers began to ask for tortas. She couldn't afford going to school before, but now she can.
Alma was always right on schedule with her payments and finished paying for the loan without any problems.
Alma says that the loan helped her to make substantial progress, and she is grateful for World Vision and the group's support and trust.
Alma has repaid her loan in full. These loan funds are now available to help another worthy entrepreneur in her community. Thank you for supporting Alma and World Vision Micro!
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