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Juana is from Mexico. She needs a loan of $400 Buying clothes and a small stand to set up her business. .
Juana is from Mexico. She needs a loan of $400 Buying clothes and a small stand to set up her business. .
Juanita Romero is asking for a loan which she will use to buy a small overhead tent so that she and her merchandise will not have to be directly beneath the sun when she goes out to sell her wares. She feels that with this purchase, potential buyers will be more prone to stop underneath the shade and see her merchandise. This will contribute to higher sales.
Even though Juanita’s children are grown and have their own lives, they continue to help her with her financial needs. However, Mrs. Romero likes to feel that she is still a productive and contributing family member. With the money that her children give her, she has started investing in buying second-hand clothes to sell in the flea markets in her community. She has become aware that this is a good business to be involved in, and each day she invests more in it. She does this so that she will be able to contribute to the cost of her medicine which she needs for her injured hip.
Juanita Romero is originally from Oaxaca, but came to Tijuana when she was just a youngster. This change was due to her family’s decision to move so that they could have a better life. She has now been living in Tijuana for around 28 years, but she still remembers the city where she was born.
In areas where the poor live alongside the more affluent, businesses in the service sector can be very successful. Services include flower cultivation, tailoring/sewing, transportation, repair work, beauty salons and barber shops, and restaurants. Loans are needed to begin, expand, or sustain business with tools and supplies. Loans given to entrepreneurs in the service sector account for around 7% of our loans.
Along with the neighboring community of Cañón Del Sainz, Pedregal de Santa Julia is situated in what is referred to as the Frontera Norte region. This area is mountainous and hilly, and families have built their homes directly into the hillside, on the edge of a canyon. As a result, heavy rains often limit transportation and communication. Cold weather poses a serious health risk, compounded by the 45-minute journey to the nearest health center.
Many families run general goods stores or depend on the sale of food or used goods. While these activities once generated sufficient income, the economy is currently struggling. Families live in makeshift homes with floors of dirt or stone. The community is equipped with electricity and running water, but not all homes have access.
In Pedregal de Santa Julia, World Vision is working to improve community health by providing medical examinations and dental treatment; supporting programs that supply regular, nutritious meals to children; organizing community clean-up campaigns; and providing housing materials for the improvement of living spaces. We are also supporting education through scholarships, school supplies, and skills training.
Mrs Juanita continues to work in her business selling clothing. Her husband recently passed away, and this has been very hard for her.
She used her loan to buy new clothing, and little by little, she has been able to grow her business. In addition to repaying her loan, she has slowing continued to invest in building her business, and still hopes someday to have a tent.
It has been especially challenging for her since her husband passed away and she has to maintain the house by herself. However, she is optimistic that the business will remain profitable.
Mrs Juanita has been very happy with the results of her loan. With the new money she has saved from her business, she has been able to remodel her stand, buy two tables, and hooks for hanging clothes. All of these improvements have helped her business expand even more.
This loan has been repaid in full. Funds are now being made available to another eager entrepreneur in the same community.
Thank you for your support of Mrs. Juanita and World Vision Micro.
