La señora Julia A. is a member of the communal bank Los Talvos. She lives in the San Miguel community, El Valle parish, which is located southeast of the city of Cuena. This area is known for its important production of corn and its tourist attractions such as the Chochapamba lakes full of bulrushes.
Julia is 61 years old. She divorced 25 years ago because her husband drank a great deal. She had three children with her husband, and they are now 42, 33, and 26 years old. They are married and independent, but Julia has 12 grandchildren who always keep her company. Three of the grandchildren already work, and only three are in her care because their mother left the country in search of a better future. The rest of the grandchildren live with their parents but always spend time with their grandmother. Her dwelling is her own, which makes her life calm and peaceful.
Julia has sold fruits, fresh grains, and vegetables for 30 years. She had her own sales site, but because of her age she had to sell it. Now she only works Wednesdays and Saturdays, and the rest of the week is spent in her house. She also told us that she had a store but she closed it because she couldn't spend enough time in it. Nevertheless, she is thinking of reopening it.
She has borrowed money from the foundation over the last eight years, which money helped her business. With this new loan, she will buy pigs and food to fatten them. Then she will sell them. Her goal is to reopen her supply store.