Nilza's story: small loan creates 40 jobs
Unemployed, but not out of ideas
Nilza got a small loan and now her doll-making business employs 40 women.
Five years ago, Nilza Barbosa was unemployed. Nilza and her sister, who both live in a rural village in Brazil, decided to create dolls out of fabric scraps to sell for income. The miniature fabric dolls, called Solidarity Dolls, were well received in the community. Initially, they sold a lot of dolls, but the success was short-lived.
Stumbling blocks and suffering
"There was a time when the sales fell, and the great amount of dolls I had made stayed with me. A suffering period came. I didn't sell my work, and I got sick. I had no income, and couldn't buy a piece of clothing, nor a shoe," says Nilza.
Sales improve with small loan and business plan
Then Nilza learned about World Vision's microfinance programs. With a new business plan and a small loan, her sales began to grow. Eventually, more orders came, and Nilza employed five women to help her meet the growing demand for her little fabric dolls. Over the next few years, that team of five grew to 40 women.
Helping other women
Nilza's tiny Solidarity Dolls have become Brazil's largest fair-trade export.
"That's a thing that makes me very happy," explains Nilza, "because the little dolls that I like so much are helping other people. Today, there are 40 women that are provided an income from these dolls."
Extraordinary success
Her little Solidarity Dolls are now the most exported Brazilian fair-trade product. The dolls can be found in stores around Holland, Luxembourg, and Germany, as well as in a popular cosmetics franchise in Brazil.
Lives changed, one small loan at a time
"I never thought that my work and the girls' work would have so much value," says Nilza. "I am very happy to know that the girls are also happy. Now, after the dolls, thanks to God they can buy clothes, a piece of furniture, to support their homes. Such a tiny thing that we made of scrap is changing their lives, isn't it?"
Several of the women employed by Nilza's business work together on producing Solidarity Dolls.
