Gran Esfuerzo Ii Group

Thank you for your loan. It has been disbursed to the Gran Esfuerzo II group, consisting of Miguel Mardonado, Glady Sensuimi, Cremencia Momue, Miliena Alfonso, Digna Tolentino, Rosa Pie, Maria Pie, Elizabeth Feliz, Emilio Bernal, Emile Jean, Yajaira Felix, Carmen Vazquez, Plesima Viasama, Margarita Solis, Sencion Dolfi by Esperanza International, a partner of HOPE International in Dominican Republic. We are excited to watch this business grow. Over the next 6 months, Esperanza International, a partner of HOPE International will be collecting repayments from this entrepreneur and posting progress updates on the Kiva website.

Hello from the Dominican Republic! I got the chance to visit Miguel and the entire Gran Esfuerzo group and I would like to give you an update on the microloan you helped finance.

Miguel lives in a small community called a batey. A batey is made up of mostly Haitian immigrants that came to the Dominican Republic looking for work in the sugar cane fields. The sugar industry has died down greatly in the Dominincan and these small communities are the ones suffering the most.

Miguel and his friends and neighbors in the Gran Esfuerzo group decided to start taking out microloans with the microfinance institution Esperanza International in order to find a way to provide for their families. Miguel is the single father of 5 children and his ultimate reason for starting his own business is so that he can provide for his children. His business involves selling charcol, calling cards, and candy both from his home and in the street. With his past loan he was able to start selling gasoline as well and he has been very successful. The closest gas station is 20 minutes away so he has a strong customer base that like the convenience of not having to drive so far just for gas.

Miguel has seen much success, but he continues to strive to grow his business as much as he can for the benefit of his children. Miguel and the whole Gran Esfuerza group are so grateful for the opportunity you have provided.

Follow this link to take a look at pictures of Miguel, his children, and his community:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39859801@N07/sets/72157620719536411/

If you would like to continue to support entrepreneurs in the Dominican Republic, follow this link to see other loans that are currently fund raising:

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&partner_id=44&status=fundRaising&sortBy=New+to+Old

Thanks for making a difference!!

Tess Gellerman

Esperanza International Summer Fellow ´09