Mercedes Benítez

Mercedes is 45 years old. She co-habited with Miguel for 24 years, until she was widowed three years ago, leaving her in charge of their business that they started together when the began their relationship.

Mercedes owns a butcher’s shop, she recounts with much sadness that when her partner died, she had many difficulties in taking over this and the grocery store which they managed together, as it was he who had largely taken care of the businesses. Despite this, she managed to continue forward alone, with the help of her 5 children aged 28, 24, 22, 19 and 13 years-old respectively. Today only the youngest of them lives with her, while the rest are already married and have established their own homes although they continue to help her with the family business.

Today her business continues to function well, with a well-established customer base, and she struggles day-by-day to advance.

Mercedes needs a loan in order to buy livestock which she will then farm in order to sell the meat in her butcher’s shop.

Translated for the Spanish by Kiva Volunteer, Katy Long

Mercedes tiene 45 años. Vivió en pareja durante 24 años con Miguel hasta que enviudó hace 3 años quedándose a cargo del negocio que montaron juntos cuando comenzaron la relación.

Mercedes posee una carnicería, cuenta con mucha tristeza que cuando falleció su pareja tuvo muchas dificultades para retomar el negocio de la carnicería y la despensa que manejaban juntos, debido a que él se ocupaba mayormente de dichos negocios. No obstante logró salir adelante sola con la ayuda de sus cinco hijos de 28, 24, 22, 19 y 13 años respectivamente. Hoy día solamente la menor de todos vive con ella, mientras que los demás ya están casados y han formado sus propios hogares aunque continúan ayudando en el negocio familiar.

Hoy día su negocio continúa bastante bien, cuenta con clientela bien formada y ella lucha día a día por salir adelante.

Necesita de un crédito para la compra de animales vivos que luego faena para vender la carne en su carnicería.