Kiva Loans for Fundación ESPOIR

Elsa Catalina : Ecuador

Wed, 23 May 2012 10:40:02 PDT

$1,025 of $1,200 raised.

Started raising funds on May 23, 2012

Elsa belongs to the Génesis (Genesis) communal bank and lives in the city of Cuenca’s San Pedro area which is located in a geographic fracture that gives it its special character. It’s the country’s third most important city economically; it has great natural and cultural richness and its cuisine enchants visitors’ palates. Its residents still preserve the culture and traditions of its peoples. Elsa is 32 years old, married and has two children who are 12 and 11 years old. Her oldest son attends secondary school and her youngest attends the little local elementary school. Her husband is a private employee and the house she lives in is hers. Elsa does her household chores and in her free time sells clothes and cosmetics via catalogue; she’s been in business five years and works Sunday to Sunday with no fixed schedule. She’s been in the communal bank three years and will use her new loan to buy clothes and cosmetics for her business. Her dream is to have a school minibus to go into this business.

La Estancia (Paute) Group : Ecuador

Fri, 04 May 2012 17:20:03 PDT

$2,825 of $2,975 raised.

Started raising funds on May 4, 2012

The “La Estancia” communal bank is composed of 8 members who work in the fields, raise animals and many are merchants. These activities give them the opportunity to cover their and their households’ expenses. They are kind, nice and charismatic preserving the culture and traditions of their peoples. They live throughout Paute Canton, a place that enjoys a temperate climate with land that’s apt for growing flowers. This canton is the greatest producer of flowers and fruit and also has several places to visit and a varied cuisine that pleases the palates of all who visit. One of the members of this group is Nancy, 31. She’s married and has two children who are 8 and 6 years old attending the local elementary school. Her husband is a heavy machinery operator and the house they live in is their property. Nancy tends to her home and also raises pigs and guinea pigs and when she’s called to do so works cultivating farmland for others; she’s been doing these activities since she got married. She’s been a member of the communal bank for 6 years and will use her new loan to buy pigs, guinea pigs and feed for them. Her goal is to continue growing in the business of animal husbandry.

El Control (Cuenca) Group : Ecuador

Mon, 21 May 2012 09:20:02 PDT

$3,050 of $4,850 raised.

Started raising funds on May 21, 2012

The communal bank El Control comprises 10 members who live in a community in Turi parish in Cuenca. It is known as the viewpoint because from the highest part you can see most of the city of Cuenca. The residents raise livestock, farm, and work in businesses; many of them work in the city at various activities. Our members are kind, charming, and hardworking people, who are always seeking more household income to support their families, while maintaining their culture and traditions. Carmita, one of the group members, lives in Punta Corral on the outskirts of Cuenca. She is 41 years old, married, and has 8 children from her marriage. Two of the children are married; two work and help her financially; and the youngest four children attend school in the city. Her husband is a security guard. They do not have their own home, so they live with other family members. Carmita takes care of the house, since her children are still young and need her care. She raises guinea pigs at home. She has been a member of the communal bank for two years. She will use this loan to buy pigs to get started raising and selling these animals. Her goal is to grow this business.

Anabelle Elionor : Ecuador

Mon, 14 May 2012 01:30:01 PDT

$625 of $1,100 raised.

Started raising funds on May 14, 2012

In the residencial community of La California in the Manabí capital, Portoviejo, known for many years as the city of the royal tamarinds, the communal bank "La Nueva California" meets every 15 days. This is where we met Mrs. Anabelle, 53, who is married and has three children who are all adults. Two of them still live at home and go to the university. Her husband is a professional chauffer. Several years ago she learned how to sew at an academy in the city, where she earned the title of seamstress. Taking advantage of her expertise she started her business several years ago and has a sewing shop at home where she makes all kinds of clothing. For men she only makes shirts, but for women and children she makes anything the customers want. She also makes sheets that she has for sale. Also, when school season starts her work increases considerably and she has to work overtime. Her normal hours are every day from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and when she has rush orders she works even later, because she always fulfills her promises. She has been working in her shop for over 15 years and it has been very beneficial for her life. This loan is to buy fabric, thread, buttons and other sewing supplies to make sheets and apparel. She has been a member of the communal bank since the beginning and she enjoys it because of the help and benefits she receives. Her goal is to continue in her business and personal life as she has until now.

Flor María : Ecuador

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:30:03 PDT

$325 of $550 raised.

Started raising funds on May 18, 2012

Sra. Flor is a member of the Medio Ejido Communal Bank. She lives in the Mutualista Azuay area of the city of Cuenca, a city with beautiful scenery, which allows us to admire the beauty of nature. In December, 1999, it was declared a World Heritage Site. The city has both natural and cultural beauty, which is being conserved by its residents. Flor is 30 years old. She lives with her common law husband with whom she has had three children, ages 14, 13 and 11. Her first two are studying in secondary school and her youngest son is in a little school in the city. Her husband works offering services as a security guard. They do not own their home and are renters. Flor works at tasks in her home and caring for her family. In her spare time she sells clothing. She does so by going to the homes of her friends and acquaintances and works from Sunday to Sunday without a fixed schedule. This is her third loan as a member of the communal bank. She will use it to purchase clothing to expand her line of merchandise. Her goal is to own a boutique.

Caña Brava (Santa Ana) Group : Ecuador

Thu, 24 May 2012 09:50:01 PDT

$1,025 of $5,750 raised.

Started raising funds on May 24, 2012

In the city of Santa Ana, known for its beautiful landscape and for its beautiful fresh water resorts that are highly visited by many tourists, every 15 days the 14 female members and 2 male members of the Caña Brava Communal Bank meet. The same members who make a living through agriculture, raising animals, and general commerce. In this place lives Señora Mercedes, who is 44-years-old and maintains a common-law marriage of which she has 9 children, 7 of whom are already older and the two younger children are in high school. Also living with them is a small grandson who is 5 and studies in kindergarten. Her husband makes a living in agriculture. Our friend, with the intention of earning something for her account and with this be able to help with the household expenses, works in a home doing housework. She also makes a living through commerce by selling clothing of all kinds, which she sells in the form of going door to door. She works every day although her sales are carried out during the nights and weekends. Her children help with her sales when she is working, leaving her garments by credit and charging every 15 days. She buys her merchandise in Portoviejo in a place where they sell at a very good price. She has spent more than 8 years making a living through this work, and thanks to this her children are able to keep studying. She will use this loan to buy more merchandise like pants, shirts, t-shirts, and children's clothing. She has been with the Communal Bank since the beginning and likes it for the help they give her to succeed. Her dream is to see that her last children become professionals. In the last row of the photo there is a member whose face you cannot see; for this reason they have taken a separate individual photo.

Luz Y Vida (Cuenca) Group : Ecuador

Tue, 22 May 2012 17:00:08 PDT

$400 of $4,500 raised.

Started raising funds on May 22, 2012

Luz y Vida (Light and Life) is a Communal Bank composed of 8 women and 1 man. All the members daily engage in their activities, which allow them to pay for their households’ expense, to provide for their families and to improve their economic conditions. They are nice and gentle people who still maintain and follow their culture and traditions. They live in the outskirts of Cuenca, a town with many places to visit and where it is possible to enjoy natural beauties. Thanks to its architectural beauty, Cuenca is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Gloria Susana is one of the members od this group. She is 44 years old and she is a single mother of 5 children, aged 29, 27, 24, 21 and 19. He first two children have a job and they economically help her, two daughters are married and live independently and her youngest son is attending one of the schools in town. She lives in a rented house as she doesn’t have one of her own. Gloria Susana has been engaged in selling clothes, shoes and various home products for one years; at the same time, she also breeds hens and “cuyes” (“cuy” is Quechua for Guinea pig), and she sells these animals in her community. She does not work fixed hours, but she works from Sunday to Sunday. This is her second loan with her Communal Bank; the loan she is requesting will be used to buy shoes, clothes and home products to have a wider variety of products for her customers. She dreams of having a house of her own.

San Luis De Cumbe (Cuenca) Group : Ecuador

Sun, 06 May 2012 11:00:05 PDT

$1,300 of $4,300 raised.

Started raising funds on May 6, 2012

The “San Luis de Cumbe” communal bank is composed of 8 female and 3 male members who work in a variety of economic activities making it possible for them to contribute to their home’s economies. They work in different activities like agriculture, commerce and animal husbandry; many work in the city. They live in Cumbe Parish in Cuenca. This is a cold climate place; its architectural structure blends the modern with the ancient and nature in the sector takes us out of the city’s noise letting us live moments of peace and tranquility. Its residents still maintain the culture and traditions of its peoples. One of the group members is Rosa María. She’s 53 years old, married and has five children who are all now adults. Three of them are married and live on their own and two are single and work to cover their personal expenses. Her husband works in agriculture and the house she lives in is her property. Rosa María stays home doing household chores and her business is raising animals like guinea pigs, fowl, pigs, cattle and sheep that she sells in her community. She also works in agriculture and her crops are for her own consumption. She’s in her second loan with the communal bank and she will use it to buy a cow. Her goal is to have a home-based store.

Buscando El Exito (Cuenca) Group : Ecuador

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 10:40:03 PDT

$1,600 of $5,625 raised.

Started raising funds on Apr 29, 2012

The “Buscando el Éxito” (Seeking Success) communal bank is composed of 12 members who live in different parts of the city of Cuenca, a city with a cold climate that’s the country’s third most important economically. Since December, 1999, it’s been a Cultural Heritage of Humanity and it has many places to visit. Its residents are warmhearted and they preserve the culture and traditions of its peoples. The members are tenacious women who live day to day in their work doing it the best way possible to get ahead and provide their families with better quality of life. One of the members of this group is Natividad, 57. She’s a widow and has five children who are all now married adults living on their own. The house she lives in is her property. Natividad has been selling various products like clothes and brand name cosmetics for three years. She works going from place to place Monday through Friday with no fixed schedule. She also makes shawls to sell. This is the first loan she’s taken in the communal bank and she will use it to buy yarn to make the shawls, cosmetics and clothes to have a larger variety of products to offer her customers. Her dream is to visit the United States. The small photo is of one of the members who was unable to be present when the group photo was taken.

Diana Isabel : Ecuador

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:20:02 PDT

$475 of $1,650 raised.

Started raising funds on May 18, 2012

Diana is a member of the “Medio Ejido” communal bank; she lives in Medio Ejido in the city of Cuenca, a city with beautiful scenery that allows us to admire nature’s beauty. Since December, 1999, it’s been a World Cultural Heritage site. It has great natural and cultural beauty which its inhabitants still preserve. Diana is 36 years old, married and has two children who are 13 and 10 years old. Her oldest daughter attends secondary school and her son is in the local elementary school. Her husband is a driver by profession and works for a private institution. She does not have a house of her own, she’s a renter. Diana has been employed as a private employee for a year and a half. She works Monday to Saturday all day and in the evenings and in her free time she sells food; she’s been in business three years. She also makes snacks but only on order. She’s been in the communal bank for three years and will use her new loan to buy ingredients to prepare her dishes. Her dream is to own a house.

Mery Antonieta : Ecuador

Wed, 23 May 2012 11:10:03 PDT

$175 of $600 raised.

Started raising funds on May 23, 2012

Mery is a member of the community bank Génesis. She lives in the Cerezos area in the city of Cuenca, which is located in an interesting geographical epicenter and it is the third most economically important city in the country. It has a rich natural and cultural base and its varying cuisine is the main attraction for visitors. The people in the area still retain the culture and traditions of their people. Mery is 49 years old, she is married, she has six children (25, 24-year-old twins, 20, and 9 years old). Three of her children work and help support the family. One of her sons is married and lives independently. One son is single, working, and lives independently. Her youngest daughter is studying at a school in the city. Her husband is a welder and has his own shop. They own their home. Mery works at home, and in order to help support her household, she sells a variety of brands of cosmetics. She has had this business for 3 years and she works Sunday to Sunday without a fixed schedule. She is seeking her second loan from the community bank to invest in the purchase of cosmetics so she can offer a larger variety of merchandise to her customers. Her dream is that all of her children will study and become professionals.

María Angelita : Ecuador

Fri, 04 May 2012 10:00:07 PDT

$625 of $1,325 raised.

Started raising funds on May 4, 2012

Señora María is a member of the Sociedad 12 de Abril communal bank. She lives in the San Pedro sector of the city of Cuenca, an area with a cold climate. Due to its beautiful architecture, this area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 1999. The area has a rich natural heritage, and its culture and traditions are kept alive by its people. María is 61. She is a single mother of two grown children who are both married and live independently. She lives in her own home. María sells fruits and vegetables in a market in the city. She has been doing this for 50 years; she started working when she was very young, following her mother's example. She works every day of the week without a fixed schedule. This is her third loan with this communal bank. Maria will invest her loan in the purchase of fruits and vegetables in order to continue with her business. Her goal is to have a grocery store in her home.

Ana Cecilia : Ecuador

Fri, 04 May 2012 10:00:07 PDT

$500 of $1,650 raised.

Started raising funds on May 4, 2012

Ana is a member of the '12 de Abril' community bank. She lives in a beautiful area of the city of Cuenca. This is a cold-climate city. Owing to its great architectural beauty, it was named a World Heritage Site in December 1999. It has great natural riches and its culture and traditions are kept alive by its people. Ana is 48 years old, married, and has three children who are 26, 25 and 16 years old. Her two eldest children are married and independent and her youngest daughter is attending high school in the city. Her husband helps her in the family business. They own the house in which they live, having obtained it through their joint work. Ana tells us that she and her family are enjoying very good health and she thanks God for this. Ana's business is serving in her store. She has been in this business for 26 years. It has allowed her to help towards the financial solvency of her household and has enabled her to provide for her family. Ana invested the money from her previous loan in buying various products in order to grow her business. She did not experience any difficulties in making her loan repayments and made them on time. She will, once again, use this new loan to buy food products with which to stock her store. Ana likes her community bank for the speed with which loans are issued. The loans help the group's members to grow their businesses. Ana's dream is to not have any debts.

Yessenia Margarita : Ecuador

Sun, 06 May 2012 13:30:03 PDT

$400 of $775 raised.

Started raising funds on May 6, 2012

The “La Dolorosa” communal bank meets every fifteen days in Jipijapa Canton, a canton known as “Sultana del Café” because of the extensive coffee plantations of incomparably flavored coffee and for its cuisine and the warm-heartedness of its people. Yessenia, 34, lives in this place. She’s in a common law relationship and has an 8 year old son. She also has a daughter from her previous relationship who’s 14 years old. Both live in her house and attend secondary and elementary schools. Her husband’s a merchant. To earn daily sustenance not dependent on anyone else, she makes manioc and corn tortillas to sell; it’s a food typical of the region. She has a small locale on the main road joining Jipijapa to the city of Portoviejo so many people passing by on this road stop to enjoy her tortillas which are the best in the place because she imparts them with a special flavor. She’s been in business more than 7 years. She works alone though sometimes with the help of her oldest daughter. This new loan will be used to buy corn, manioc, cheese and other foodstuffs needed to make her tortillas. It’s her fourth cycle in the communal bank and she likes it because the loans are quick and easy to repay. Her dream is to continue increasing and improving her business.

Hermano Miguel (Cuenca) Group : Ecuador

Thu, 10 May 2012 22:10:02 PDT

$500 of $1,375 raised.

Started raising funds on May 10, 2012

The Communal Bank "Hermano Miguel" (Brother Michael) consists of seven members who work every day in different business activities so that they can have better financial solvency in their households and help their families get ahead. They live in different parts of the city of Cuenca, which was designated a World Heritage Site. Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador in terms of economic importance. This area has beautiful nature sites to visit. The members of this group are known for their charisma, but they are also friendly and gentle. They have maintained the culture and traditions of their people.

One of the members of this group is Sra. Erlinda. She lives in the parish of Yanuncay in the city of Cuenca. Erlinda is 24 years old and a single mother of two children, ages 7 and 2. Her oldest child attends school in the city. She lives with her parents in a rented house and shares in the household expenses.

For the past six months, Erlinda has worked as an employee at a private company. She works Sunday to Sunday on rotating shifts. She has also been selling cosmetics of various brands for one year. Erlinda has been a member of her Communal Bank for three years and her new loan will be invested in the purchase of cosmetics so that she can increase her inventory. Her goal is to buy a vehicle.

The smaller photos shown are of two members who were not present when the group photo was taken.

Dolores Del Jesús : Ecuador

Mon, 14 May 2012 01:10:02 PDT

$200 of $1,325 raised.

Started raising funds on May 14, 2012

In the residencial community of La California in the Manabí capital, Portoviejo, known for many years as the city of the royal tamarinds, the communal bank "La Nueva California" meets every 15 days. This is where we met Mrs. Dolores, 53, married and with two children who are adults but still live at home, as they are university students. Her husband is a school teacher in the city. In order to earn her own income and be economically independent, she sells clothing, natural products and beauty products and perfumes by Avon, Esika, and Yanbal. She sells door-to-door and sometimes her daughter helps her by taking products to sell to her university friends. Her daughter helps with sales and contributes part of her profits to cover school expenses. Recently, Dolores began selling shoes by catalogue and business is doing fine. She has over 12 years' experience doing what she does and things are going very well. This loan will be used to buy more merchandise, such as shoes, clothing, natural products and cosmetics. She has been in the communal bank since its beginning, and she enjoys it because the loans have helped her greatly in increasing her sales volume. Her goal is to continue with her successful business and, more importantly, to stay healthy.

Las Vecinas (Cuenca) Group : Ecuador

Thu, 17 May 2012 11:30:02 PDT

$275 of $3,975 raised.

Started raising funds on May 17, 2012

The “Las Vecinas” (The Neighbors) communal bank has nine members, 8 women and one man, who are friends and neighbors living in various parts of the city of Cuenca, a cold climate city. Because of its great architectural beauty it was designated a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1999. Its people still preserve their culture and traditions. Our members are kind, pleasant people who are warm-hearted and who enchant all visitors. They are noted for being hardworking people who daily strive to improve their home’s economy. One of the group members is Alcira, 52. She’s divorced and has four adult children who are now married and living on their own. She does not have a house of her own so lives in the same house where she works. Alcira has been working as a domestic employee for the last 11 years and since she has a good friendship with her employers they’ve allowed her to install her business in the house. Her business is a store where she works Monday through Saturday from 8am until 6pm; she also sells clothes and shoes via catalogue, an activity she’s carried out for four years. She does these activities without neglecting her tasks as a domestic employee. She’s been a communal bank member for 4 years and will use her new loan to buy merchandise for the store, clothes and shoes to continue growing in her business. Her goal is to get a house of her own.

Futuro Para Un Bienestar (Cuenca) Group : Ecuador

Thu, 17 May 2012 14:30:04 PDT

$175 of $5,350 raised.

Started raising funds on May 17, 2012

The "Futuro Para Un Bienestar" communal bank is made up of 13 members (12 women and one man), who live in various places in the city of Cuenca. This city is much visited because of the beauty of its historic center, the nature that surrounds it, and its varied cuisine that captivates the palate of those who visit. Its people are kind and friendly, and still maintain the culture and traditions of their peoples. The members have great fortitude, and a desire to succeed with the hard work they do day by day. One of the members of this group is Gladys. She is 54, married, and has three children. Two of her children are married and live independently. Her unmarried daughter works and helps her financially. Her husband is a driver by trade, and works giving driving lessons. She doesn't have her own house, so she rents. Gladys does her household chores and has been a merchant for three years. She sells clothing and several brands of cosmetics. She sells her merchandise door-to-door, visiting the homes of her friends and acquaintances from Monday to Friday, with no fixed hours. This is the first loan she is undertaking in the communal bank, and she is going to use it to buy clothing for re-stocking her merchandise. Her goal is to see her business grow until she manages to have a boutique. A woman with a red blouse and grey checked sweater is seen in the photo, who is a relative of one of the members, but does not belong to the group.

Dalila Eufemia : Ecuador

Mon, 21 May 2012 21:20:03 PDT

$125 of $1,500 raised.

Started raising funds on May 21, 2012

Dalila is a member of the community bank Loma de la Cruz, she lives in the Feria Libre sector of the city of Cuenca, city with great natural beauty that in 1999 became part of the World's Cultural Heritage, it's gastronomy captures the palates of locals and foreigners, its people are nice, hospitable and still maintain the culture and traditions of the city. Dalila is 59, she is married and has four children, three of them are married and live independently, her single son works and helps her with the expenses. Her husband is retired and now works as a merchant, they don't own a house so they rent. Dalila is a merchant and sells all kinds of clothing, sheets, comforters, towels and other products, she has a client base to whom she sells her products and a year ago she also started growing chicken. She has been a member of the community bank for wight years and her new loan will be invested in buying clothing, sheets, comforters, etc to continue growing her business. Her dream is to buy a house.

María Carmen : Ecuador

Mon, 21 May 2012 21:20:03 PDT

$150 of $850 raised.

Started raising funds on May 21, 2012

María is a member of the community bank Loma de la Cruz, she lives in the Feria Libre sector of the city of Cuenca, city with great natural beauty that in 1999 became part of the World's Cultural Heritage, it's gastronomy captures the palates of locals and foreigners, its people are nice, hospitable and still maintain the culture and traditions of the city. Maria is 47, lives with her partner and has three children that are now adults, married and live independently. Her partner is a merchant, they don't own a house so they rent. Maria mentions having a bit of a health issue, because she has a constant pain in her body, but she hasn't gone for a check up yet, her family is in good health. Our member works selling newspapers, lottery tickets and magazines, her business has been around for 30 years, she started this business because she is a hardworking woman and saw the need to get ahead with her family. Her previous loan was invested in merchandise and her new loan will be invested in buying lottery tickets and newspapers, she was a bit late in her previous loan repayments because the sales were very low. She likes the community bank because their loans give her an opportunity to grow her business. Her dream is to own a house.