Choose Hope
May 27, 2017 | Annie Rose Ansley (HOPE International)
Down the road from my office the other day, a man came up and asked me in English, “Where are you from?” I’ve had similar exchanges with Dominicans many times; usually they’re curious what a blue-eyed gringa is doing in their country. Our subsequent Spanglish conversation, however, took a slightly more ugly turn.
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From Haiti to the DR, Marie Continues to Shine
May 13, 2017 | Esperanza
Esperanza Associate Marie Lowinite resides in Palo Bonito, a batey community located among the vast sugar cane fields in the eastern region of the Dominican Republic. Marie started a business many years ago in Haiti, and has since moved to the Dominican Republic where she sells jewelry, accessories, and shoes.
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Trabajando para el Futuro (Working for the Future)
April 28, 2017 | Esperanza
The loan group, Trabajando para el Futuro (Working for the Future), brings meaning to the word unity. In the town of Las Pascuala, these Associates use the bonds built within their loan unit at a much greater measure: to help their community.
keep readingThe Freedom of Dependence
April 08, 2017 | Annie Rose Ansley (HOPE International)
I like to be independent. I like to accomplish and improve things without relying on or waiting for anyone else. Anyone with me? Yet here in the Dominican Republic, microfinance groups are opening my eyes to the beauty and paradoxical freedom of dependence.
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Lorenza and Luzmari, in the Dominican Republic
March 31, 2017 | Ronnie Mosley
Esperanza’s mission statement describes their work in the Dominican Republic like this: “Esperanza International’s Christ-centered mission is to free families from poverty through initiatives that generate income, education and health, restoring self-worth and dignity to those who have lost hope.”
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Rosario Silverio Garcia – Her Story of Saving, Running
March 25, 2017 | Esperanza
Rosario Silverio Garcia lives in the community of Hato Mayor with her husband, with whom she has three children and six grandchildren. Rosario is a relatively new Associate of Esperanza, however has proven to be an exceptional business woman, and an enabler within her local community.
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Ambiorix – Male Associate and Provider for the Family
March 17, 2017 | Esperanza
The tiny town of Mama Tingo lies in the beautiful green hills north of Santo Domingo, and is so remote that it requires loan officer Martin Ubri to travel two hours from his office in Los Alcarrizos to conduct his biweekly meetings with Bank of Esperanza David. Despite being located far off the beaten track, David associates have established businesses in order to fulfill the needs that they have identified among their neighbors.
keep readingBalancing Business and Motherhood
March 07, 2017 | Esperanza
Sandra has been an Esperanza Associate since 2005. She is a single mother of seven children as well as the guardian of her grandchild. Sandra manages her home and sends her children to school all while running a small business selling empanadas in her local community of San Pedro.
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Miguel’s Growing Internet Café
February 18, 2017 | Esperanza
The Vecinas Unidas (United Neighbors) Bank of Esperanza is located in Aguas Buenas a small rural community on the Samaná Peninsula in the Dominican Republic. Many of the members, such as Miguel, have been successful with their micro-businesses thus far.
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Margarita’s Finds Meaning in Microfinancing
February 10, 2017 | Esperanza
In a strictly technical view, microcredit functions as a tool to alleviate economic poverty. Yet when combined with various complimentary services, microfinance also has the power to transform numerous areas of an individual´s life. For Esperanza Associate Margarita Rodriguez, the most significant change that occured since she joined was her spiritual life.
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