Adding to basket
The town of Portoviejo is known for being the hometown of the Reales Tamarindos team. It was also affected by the April 16, 2016, earthquake and is located in the River Portoviejo valley, The town's rich soil produces vegetables and fruit for local consumption.
Gema, aged 28, has a partner and a 5-year old son who attends school. Her partner is a butcher selling beef and chicken. They live in a rented house. Gema earns her living selling a wide variety of brands of clothing from catalogs. She goes from door to door selling to relatives, acquaintances, and neighbours. She works 3-4 hours in the afternoons and accepts purchases on credit. She collects payments weekly.
Gema also sells Pinüino ice cream throughout the day from her house, a business she's had for several years.
With this new loan she plans to buy t-shirts, pants, shirts, shorts, and ice cream.
Gema likes the loans because she can make repayments every two weeks and she can get medical insurance for herself and her family. Her dream is to have a house of her own.
Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteer Jane A. View original language description.
