Diehna Miguel Calcano

Diehna Miguel Calcano is married to Jovani and together they raise their three-year-old daughter, Araceli. She is able to take care of and provide for her family by running her business from home. This loan will allow her to purchase kitchenware and curtains, which will then go to benefit other families in her neighborhood of La Pacuala.

Diehna has a very interesting and unique business. She uses her Esperanza loan to buy products such as pots and pans, which she then sells to other people. They pay her back in incremental payments while she then pays back Esperanza as she receives payments from her customers. Diehna keeps a detailed accounting book of all her clients and how much they owe -- a record-keeping tool reflecting the method used by Esperanza for tracking payments of associates.

NOTE: Diehna is one of five micro-entrepreneurs in her Bank of Hope solidarity group, which have all gone through Esperanza's business training courses and will be accountable to each other for repaying their shares of this $750 loan together. If a member is unable to pay in full and on time, the group is responsible for making up the deficit before a payment can be made. This group-lending method strengthens social needs in a community and ensures that members cooperate to help one another repay their loans and invest wisely in their businesses and families.