The members of the Communal Bank “Costa del Sol” (Sun Coast) meet every 15 days in the resort town of San Jacinto. They engage in different business activities in the fishing, service, and retail sectors. Some time ago, the members decided to form a group so that they could access the loans provided by Fundación ESPOIR. This is their fourth loan as a Communal Bank and they are very pleased with the benefits and the loans they have received as a group.

One of the group members is Sra. Silvia. She is 32 years old and a single mother with three children (ages 12, 10, and 7) who attend either high school or elementary school. Silvia lives alone with her children.

Left with the difficult task of raising young children, Silvia decided some time ago to provide laundry services for other people. She also earns extra income by administering injections and serums since she learned this skill through a nursing course that she took. Silvia says that it is very hard to raise children by herself, but somehow she has managed to succeed through her effort and work. With this loan, she will buy a washing machine to help make her job easier. It can be difficult to do laundry when the loads of clothing are extremely heavy. Silvia also washes car seat covers in order to earn some extra money.

This is her second loan with the Communal Bank and she enjoys the assistance she has received through the loans. Her dreams include providing a better future for her children so that they lack nothing.

The smaller photograph of two of the members appears because, due to reasons beyond their control, they were not able to be present on the day the group photograph was taken.