Juan

Juan is a man of good character. He is 36 years old and lives with his partner, who is the mother of his 2 daughters, in a house that they rent. He dedicates himself to planting and cultivating bananas, coffee, large peppers, and cayhuas (local peppers) on his own small plots of land where he works alone. However, for harvest season he needs the help of his wife, who helps him box the bananas. These agricultural labors please him a lot, even more when he can sell the food at a good price. He can sell 50 to 70 boxes and make up to 490 soles ($169 dollars), but when the prices drop he doesn’t even make half of this. Despite these difficulties, Juan doesn’t think he should leave his crops since thanks to them he works calmly, without any pressure and providing what’s necessary for his family.

This is his third loan with MFP (a Kiva field partner); in the second loan they named him secretary of his communal bank. Since then he brings the group’s book of minutes with him to every meeting. With the loaned money he is thinking of creating a space in his house for the sale of fuel since his home is located on the edge of the principle highway in his area. Also he will buy empty boxes for packing his fruit.

Translated from Spanish by Seton Hill University , Kiva Volunteer

Juan es un hombre de buen carácter, tiene 36 años y vive con su pareja y madre de sus 2 hijas, en una casa alquilada. Se dedica a sembrar y cultivar plátanos, café, rocotos y cayhuas en sus propias chacras, donde generalmente trabaja solo; pero para la temporada de cosecha, necesita de la ayuda de su esposa, quien lo ayuda a encajonar los plátanos. Estas labores agrícolas le agradan muchísimo, más aun cuando los comercializa a un buen precio, vendiendo las 50 ó 70 cajas que tiene hasta 490 soles, pero cuando bajan los precios muchas veces no llega ni a la mitad de esta cantidad; pese a estas dificultades, Juan no piensa dejar sus cultivos, ya que gracias a ellos trabaja tranquilamente, sin presión alguna y brindando lo necesario para su familia.
Este es su tercer préstamo con MFP, en el segundo le normaron secretario de su banco comunal, desde entonces en cada reunión lleva junto a él el libro de actas del grupo. Con el dinero solicitando piensa implementar en su casa un espacio para la venta de combustibles, debido a que está situado al costado de la carretera principal de su localidad. También comprará cajones vacíos para encajonar sus frutas.

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