Meet Juana. Her Life is Better, Thanks to You

Despite only having studied through sixth grade and with few resources for her 4 children, you give Juana Figueroa great hope for the future. She is involved in CEPAD’s community banking program and is the President of her village’s Community Development Committee. She has already benefitted from your support of CEPAD’s patio gardens and is now growing fruits and vegetables.

CEPAD: Can you tell us about yourself?

Juana Figueroa: I work on the farm with my husband, we rent two manzanas to grow corn and beans. We also grow oranges, mangoes and malanga on our patio at home.

CEPAD: Tell us about your children. I heard you have a 15-year-old daughter in high school and a 5-year-old in preschool. Do you have any others?

JF: I have four children. The oldest one is 20 and is in her third year of sociology. My 18 year old son just graduated from high school, but he isn’t studying yet because we don’t have the money.

CEPAD: What is your educational background?

JF: I studied through sixth grade, and that was about the time I moved here. I have never been able to get more formal education, but I really enjoy learning. I’m excited for the trainings I will get with CEPAD.

CEPAD: What made you decide to join the community bank in Santa Josefina?

JF: I want to earn money so I can help my children study.

CEPAD: How has CEPAD been beneficial to you?

JF: CEPAD being here is a way for us to help ourselves. We see it as a way to move forward, and especially to help our children. My biggest challenge in life is supporting my children so they can have a better life. We only make about $120 per month at the ranch, and university classes cost $25 per month. It’s very hard.

CEPAD: What are other needs that you have?

JF: I also want to improve my house, because it is unsafe and very vulnerable to rain. I want to use cement instead of earth to build the walls and improve the roof.