Our Associates
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/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/associates/img01.jpgAn Esperanza associate proudly displays her colmado, or corner convenience store. Colmados are one of the most common businesses run by our associates, and they are a vital part of Dominican culture. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/associates/img02.jpgMany associate businesses are a family undertaking. As equity is earned and income increases, a parent can leave behind not only a home for their children, but also a way to continue in the family business. Here, an associate proudly stand with her children in front of her small colmado. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/associates/img03.jpgClothing stores are another very common business among Esperanza associates. Used clothing is sold for resale in packets that often arrive from countries like the United States. Associates can purchase these packets to sell at a small markup, or they can decide to sell new clothing that is a bit more expensive. Here, an associate stands with her new merchandise in a small clothing store. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/associates/img04.jpgWithout much income, dominicans get good use out of the clothes they already own. Repairs, stitches, and re-fitting becomes a necessity, and Esperanza clients have trained themselves to fill in that need in the market. Here, an Esperanza associate proudly sits with her sewing machine, ready to make some repairs. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/associates/img05.jpgColmados are a vital part of Dominican culture. They typically offer at least the staples of Dominican cuisine: rice, beans, oil, flour, sugar, and coffee. Here, we can see snacks, vegetables, bread, and condensed milk, all very common throughout the country. Through loans from Esperanza, our associates can increase their client base, purchase more merchandise, and expand the size of their stores. Here, an associate stands in her colmado with her two children. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/associates/img06.jpgEsperanza is not only involved in business loans. Once an associate has gone through several loan cycles, they are able to take out loans for the construction of a new house or an addition to the house in which they already live. Here, four builder work on the finishing touches for a new house being constructed for an Esperanza associate. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/associates/img07.jpgMany communities of the Dominican Republic are very remote, and for that reason many associates must travel long distances to sell their products. This associate frees up her hands by balancing several kilograms of onions and garlic on her head. Some associates will sell in towns several miles away from their own homes if they see an exploitable opportunity in the marketplace. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/associates/img08.jpgChicken is one of the most common meats eaten in the Dominican Republic. As you can imagine, it is not always easy to get your chickens from your home to your selling location. This Esperanza associate makes hand-woven baskets that will make the effort a little easier. Although chickens are by far the most common, turkeys, geese, and ducks can also be found throughout the Dominican Republic. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/associates/img09.jpgColmados are not only a place to buy groceries and home products, they are also a place to catch up with your neighbors, listen to music, and drink a cold bottle of water on a hot summer day. In this associates colmado, you can see filtered water, sodas, and bulk rice and flour among the many items for sale. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/associates/img10.jpgSince the colmado is a hub for social activity, it is frequently a place to have a drink after a long day’s work. Friends meet at colmados on a regular basis to chat. In this colmado, a proud associate shows off the many drinks available for his clients. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/associates/img11.jpgColmados are usually a random assortment of foods, drinks, and housing supplies. As such, this entrepreneurial associate saw the need in her community for a hardware store. Specialization is important in any market, whether big or small, and this associate took advantage of an opening in the market. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/associates/img12.jpgStreet food is found throughout the Dominican Republic, and it is one of the tastiest options at any time of day. Most are a bit smaller than the operation seen in this picture, usually a small fryer or two making empanadas (fried pockets of meats and cheeses), tostones (fried plantains), or johnnycakes. This associate has a much larger undertaking, making rice, beans, and meat for her clients, the most popular dish in all Dominican cuisine. Download
