Maria Diaz is 63 years old and learning how to write in her free time. She is an Esperanza associate in a rural region of Hato Mayor. Her business is to sell a bit of everything. When she came to her Esperanza loan repayment meeting she was selling peanuts and jalao (a coconut and honey candy) but she also sells corn bread and fresh milk from her cows! She is a talented cook and makes special traditional desserts for her customers. It’s amazing how multidimensional her business is!
Even though her business is small, we must remember that
“Small Business isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s for the brave, the patient, and the persistent. It for the overcomer”.
Just like Maria, many of Esperanza’s associates have to be ‘overcomers’ to fight through sickness, natural disasters, and scarce resources. They refuse to be defeated and continually overcome.
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12
Microfinance is a banking service which exists to serve the material poor in emerging economies. Through this lending process, loans are distributed to entrepreneurs for investment in their business.
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