Adding to basket
Every two weeks, the members of the Miraflores community bank meet in a place known as Los Arenales, in Crucita parish, in Portoviejo canton. This place is known for its beautiful beaches, its cuisine and the warmth of its people.
Here we meet 25 year-old Jacqueline who has a common-law marriage and a three year-old son. Her husband has been abroad for three years.
Jacqueline is a homemaker who, in order to make her own money, also sells clothes through a catalog and Avon products (beauty products, cosmetics, perfumes and ladies' accessories). In addition to selling these products, she also works with her dad who has a small truck which they use to buy and sell fish. They buy the fish from local fishermen and then take it to sell to the large companies in Manta. They do this four days a week. Jacqueline sells her other products in her free time and on weekends. She leaves her products on credit and collects payment every week. She tells us that she has been selling her products for more than six years and that she wants to continue increasing her businesses every day.
Jacqueline will use this loan to buy perfume, creams, cosmetics, clothes and fish. She has been a member of her community bank since the beginning and is its treasurer. She likes it because the loans can be obtained quickly and the interest rates are low.
Jacqueline's dream is to own her own home as she currently rents.
Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteer anonymized. View original language description.
