Adding to basket
In a little community in the State of Mexico, a small group was formed called "Panaderas de Cote," because the town makes a very rich kind of bread; not just a few members bake that bread but for the great majority of the population, it is their principal activity. In their homes they construct their own ovens to make their own bread. Its a very tranquil community, characterized by its enormous dam, which is so big it can irrigate all the nearby corn fields, and it also provides fishing for some neighbors in the community.
Olidia is a very happy person, a worker with grand entrepreneurial spirit, always very preoccupied for her family's wellbeing. She is 29 years old and has been married to Victor for many years. Together they formed a family with five children; four of whom are studying, and three are sponsored by World Vision.
Since Olidia married Victor, she decided to help with household expenses because her Mother always advised her to start a business, raising and fattening sheep plus creating embroidery. This was a very good option because she would not have to leave home and could continue caring for her children, while at the same time helping cover household expenses.
Olidia buys her little lambs in the same community. She always tries to get them very young, then raise them and sell them to her neighbors, or taking advantage of some type of festival, she offers them to those who sponsor the fiesta. Olidia comments that she keeps the lambs at home between the age of eight months and a year, then she sells them for a good profit. She doesn't have to spend money to feed them since she takes advantage of the countryside. Very early, she takes them out to graze in the country. "Now that the dry period has arrived, it is much easier because with the cultivation of corn, they are harvesting and cutting down the plants and there remains lots of stalks and this is what we take advantage of for the animals," Olidia comments very contentedly.
She is very pleased and grateful for VFMexico and Kiva, because for more than a year, she has requested loans that have helped her expand her business. With her earnings, she can cover her children's educational expenses and help build her house. Now with this new loan, she will purchase two small lambs.
It seems that she will have no difficulty. Olidia always cares for her little lambs very well, so that they will grow and develop and, thus, she can obtain good earnings.
The members of the group include Teresa, who invests in young bulls; Victoria, Carolina and Hilaria, who invest in bread; and Ma Marcela, who invest in clothing.
*The photograph was taken in the municipality's Garden of the Arches. Olidia is wearing the blue blouse.
In this group: Hilaria, Carolina, Odilia, Ma Marcela, Victoria, Teresa
Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteer Harold Dana Sims, PhD. View original language description.
