Rita is 36 years old and happily married to Edwin, age 48. They have five children and live in a comfortable rented house that is situated in a good location on the outskirts of the city of San Ramón in the central Peruvian jungle. Due to her business activity, she is not allowed to operate in the central part of the city. In order to provide for the welfare of their children, Rita and her husband manufacture bricks in a spacious area located near their home. In addition, she works independently at her fireworks workshop where she makes miniature rockets and outlines of different animals and objects that are ignited with sparklers and different colored lights. Rita designs these products for the patron saint festivals that are held in the part of the central jungle known as “La Merced”. When her husband is not helping her, Rita also performs as a musician to earn extra income which helps her to accumulate savings. Going forward, she wants to build her own house in the city and establish a restaurant so that she can have a business that is less dangerous. Rita has been working for fifteen years and thanks to her business activities, her children have never gone hungry. However, her children’s education is a priority so she will use a large portion of her earnings to pay for these expenses.

Rita is a member of the Communal Bank “Las Brisas” (The Breezes) and this is her seventh loan with MFP. She is happy to continue working with the other members of her Communal Bank since they are supportive, friendly, and responsible people. The loan she is requesting will be used to buy materials for making fireworks and rockets such as kite paper, staples, and string.