The story of Doña Reina Ortiz has appeared on this blog before. She continues to work hard to sell her product, but sales at the super market chains have slowed, as has her loan repayment. Ms. Ortiz is becoming even more dependent or her less profitable sales to smaller clients like bookstores and street venders.
Since early May, the rainy season has added another challenge to completing her dream. Like most people in her neighborhood, a retaining wall prevents her home from falling on her neighbors' home next door. The heavy rains during this month were enought to damage part of the old retaining wall and put her home's foundation close to the edge.
Doña Reina was forced to invest all her working capital into the construction of a new retaining wall. She now must struggle to build up her business again.
The use of "business funds" for personal expenses is common in microfinance businesses. Since many businesses operate out of the owners home, as is the case in Doña Reina's case, cash is not often designated to be used for "business" or "personal" expenses.
Alfredo and Rafael, two Honduran businessmen, are mentoring Ms. Ortiz and looking for ways to help her increase sales. With the Lord's help and the encouragement from her mentors, Doña Reina will soon be talking about God's faithfulness back when, the walls were coming down.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
In her own words... Marina Mejia
The following is the story of the owner of a member business who works with Partners Worldwide through the local affiliate Diaconia Nacional:
I am Elvia Marina Mejia and I was born on May 3, 1958, in San Francisco de la Paz, Olancho, Honduras, but I now live in the Nueva Suyapa neighborhood in Tegucigalpa. As a teenager I immigrated to Tegucigalpa to secure a better future for my family and more specifically for my younger siblings. I worked washing clothes and cleaning homes for other people.
I had seven children but sometimes when you're young you make mistakes. I ended up at the women's prison where I learned to do many productive things like crafts and sewing. I decided that when I got out of there, I would continue doing the activities that I was learning.
I was released for good behavior before completing the time that my sentence stipulated and started saving to buy my first machine. I began work purchasing cloth by the pound to produce bed sheet sets. I sold my work in my community, but life was very difficult because my seven children were still young and there were many expenses. But I always kept going.
I knew I could do my job better but needed working capital to buy better quality fabrics and machinery. I wondered if anyone would trust me in spite of my background. I decided to knock on the door of Diaconia Nacional. They realized that I am a hard working woman and that I have not stopped working since I had the legal problem.
I have involved my family in my business. I elaborate the product with my younger children and my mom sells them in the community where she lives. I also partner with my daughter in the sale of general merchandise. I also have my customers in several communities of Olancho, where I travel every month.
In many of these communities there is lack of money, so I barter and sell my products in exchange for produce like yuca, oranges, and bananas. When I return to Tegucigalpa, I sell the produce. When I am in the communities, I see which fruits and vegetables are in season and I call my daughter who asks around in Tegucigalpa to see where there is demand. When I return to Tegucigalpa we already have orders for the coconuts or whatever I am transporting and we only have to deliver the produce and collect the cash.
I did not know what this was called until I attended the training workshops that Diaconia offers and I learned that this is called VALUE ADDED. I've learned a lot of skills in the workshops that I have attended and I want to continue learning for my business.
I am grateful to Diaconia Nacional for believing in me and training me. I hope that they continue to support me because in the future I want to improve my business and to develop other product lines because I also want to make my house a little safer and more beautiful.
Diaconia Nacional helped me purchase a special sewing machine which had been a dream for me. They also supported me in the purchase of high quality fabrics.
I am Elvia Marina Mejia and I was born on May 3, 1958, in San Francisco de la Paz, Olancho, Honduras, but I now live in the Nueva Suyapa neighborhood in Tegucigalpa. As a teenager I immigrated to Tegucigalpa to secure a better future for my family and more specifically for my younger siblings. I worked washing clothes and cleaning homes for other people.I had seven children but sometimes when you're young you make mistakes. I ended up at the women's prison where I learned to do many productive things like crafts and sewing. I decided that when I got out of there, I would continue doing the activities that I was learning.
I was released for good behavior before completing the time that my sentence stipulated and started saving to buy my first machine. I began work purchasing cloth by the pound to produce bed sheet sets. I sold my work in my community, but life was very difficult because my seven children were still young and there were many expenses. But I always kept going.I knew I could do my job better but needed working capital to buy better quality fabrics and machinery. I wondered if anyone would trust me in spite of my background. I decided to knock on the door of Diaconia Nacional. They realized that I am a hard working woman and that I have not stopped working since I had the legal problem.
I have involved my family in my business. I elaborate the product with my younger children and my mom sells them in the community where she lives. I also partner with my daughter in the sale of general merchandise. I also have my customers in several communities of Olancho, where I travel every month.In many of these communities there is lack of money, so I barter and sell my products in exchange for produce like yuca, oranges, and bananas. When I return to Tegucigalpa, I sell the produce. When I am in the communities, I see which fruits and vegetables are in season and I call my daughter who asks around in Tegucigalpa to see where there is demand. When I return to Tegucigalpa we already have orders for the coconuts or whatever I am transporting and we only have to deliver the produce and collect the cash.
I did not know what this was called until I attended the training workshops that Diaconia offers and I learned that this is called VALUE ADDED. I've learned a lot of skills in the workshops that I have attended and I want to continue learning for my business.I am grateful to Diaconia Nacional for believing in me and training me. I hope that they continue to support me because in the future I want to improve my business and to develop other product lines because I also want to make my house a little safer and more beautiful.
Diaconia Nacional helped me purchase a special sewing machine which had been a dream for me. They also supported me in the purchase of high quality fabrics.
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