Journal entry for Luisa Ercilia Tardencilla Rodriguez

Roast Chicken Extraordinaire

When we pulled off the side of the road to visit Luisa Ercilia Tardencilla Rodriguez in her restaurant yesterday, she came to the door and unlocked it to let us in. It was around 4 in the afternoon and there were a couple of hours left before Pollo La Radja, Luisa’s restaurant, would open for dinner.

As you may remember, you helped fund a loan to Luisa on Kiva about three months ago. Yesterday, we got a chance to check in with Luisa here in Managua, Nicaragua and see how things are going with her loan and her restaurant.

Luisa has had the restaurant in the same place for 23 years. She offers traditional Nicaraguan dishes like carne asada (grilled beef), pollo asada (grilled chicken), maduro con queso (bananas with cheese), tajadas con queso (banana chips with cheese), and pollo entero (whole chicken). In fact, while we sat at one of the restaurant’s tables and chatted with her, approximately 10 whole chickens were getting roasted, rotating on spits in a nearby case (see picture below). Also on the menu are enchiladas, tacos, fresh fruit juices, and soda. She told us that her most popular plates are gallo pinto (rice and beans) and carne asada. Luisa has four employees to help her in the restaurant, and Pollo La Radja is open every night from 6 pm until midnight.

With this loan, her fourth, Luisa was able to purchase essential products for the restaurant, including basic grains, chicken, and soda. Unfortunately, Luisa told us that sales are down. She said the rain makes customers stay home – it is currently the rainy season in Nicaragua – though people who live nearby still come. Luckily, the rainy season ends next month, so hopefully things will start looking up for Luisa and Pollo La Radja.

Thank you for reading this journal update,

Victoria Kabak, Kiva Fellow, AFODENIC

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