Adding to basket
Gladis, 34, is married and the mother of four children; as a family, they all work together growing corn, beans and coffee. She did not complete elementary school; with much effort and sacrifice she was able to complete 4th grade but was unable to go further for lack of economic support because her parents are of low income and the cash they did earn had to go for food and family support. They taught her said activity that she’s been going for ten years and still continues to this day; it’s the only source of support and income for her family.
The parcel of land she grows on was acquired thanks to an inheritance from her spouse’s parents; it’s produced much fruit and it’s located on the same premises where they live which makes providing maintenance, assistance and weed clearing of their crop much easier. They market and sell their product to various middlemen who come to the community to buy it.
She’s currently asking for help to buy fertilizer and manure for her coffee crop so that it will be free of infestations and illnesses that can destroy entire harvests if they aren’t treated on time.
Her dream is to continue increasing her crop so that more income will be generated to continue investing in coffee production since one of her constant challenges is the ever increasing price of supplies that are of great help for production to be 100% useful. This will make it possible for her to give her children a better level of education as well as improve their standard of living.
Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteer anonymized. View original language description.
