“Before CEPAD came to our community, we worked as seasonal laborers for two big businesses nearby. They hired us for a short time, but the rest of the we lived with economic difficulties. We worked some land, growing basic grans, just to survive.”

Rosa, her husband, and their two daughters needed to find an alternative solution to seasonal work in order to survive, but there were no other options…..until CEPAD. When Rosa heard about CEPAD’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Program, she was interested. She had recently started a small corner store, but was unable to offer a lot of products that were needed.

Once she learned how to write her business plan and keep track of accounting records, she was approved to receive a small seed fund, which allowed her to invest and grow her business.

“I started with a small corner store and have now started selling gasoline, which is becoming more in demand. We also expanded to repair motorcycles, which is growing into a mechanic’s shop. From one small corner store, we no have multiple businesses, and are continuing to grow.”

Thanks to CEPAD supporters like YOU, Rosa is thrilled about the future she is able to provide to her daughters and how she and her husband are no longer living in poverty.