A leader, mother, employee and microentrepreneur
“Life in my adolescence was a bit sad,” says Nancy, having not had the support of her father to continue with her studies. “I only had the support of my mother. She always supported my dreams so I could study until school, but I did not have enough money to fund my university studies, which was my greatest desire, to be a professional person, have a stable job and be able to support my mother. However, in everything that I did do, my mother has always been supporting me, so now I have the pride of saying that I feel very happy that she continues to support me and my daughter.”
“Ten years ago, my mother had the opportunity to meet FODEMI (now VisionFund Ecuador) with which we formed a group with the neighbors. I was in my 20s when I took out my first loan of $500, which helped me a lot. I started buying calves to be able to fatten them and sell them and generate my own income and feed my family at my parents' house.”
“We continued to work with the group for several years in an organised way, and at the beginning other comrades participated as leaders, and I was learning from my colleagues and bringing my leadership to the surface. Now, I am the president of the group and I maintain an organised and above all punctual group. As president, my greatest desire is to continue working to continue supporting the people who need loans, since due to lack of guarantees they cannot access credit from other institutions.”
Nancy feels grateful to the institution because the profits of her business have allowed her to build her house and provide a comfortable place to live with her daughter. Her last loan allowed her to increase the number of dairy cows that she keeps and have more income with which she manages the expenses of food and education for her daughter who is in third grade. In addition to this, she had the opportunity to start working in a pharmacy, where she is now doing well. Because of her responsibleness she now has job stability.
She is proud to serve in various roles as a leader, mother, employee and microentrepreneur.
“Today more than ever I thank God for life, health, my daughter, and VisionFund for giving me the opportunity to work. Currently I have been able to fulfill some dreams with a lot of effort - building my house and being able to provide an education to my daughter who is my strength to continue fighting. Together, I know that we will get ahead because I am a fighting woman. My life has really changed. I thank VisionFund Ecuador and I believe in what they do for people. When you need them, they are there to support," she says.
Submitted by Melida Martinez, VisionFund Ecuador