Microloans Help Poverty-Stricken in Mexico

When we first set up operations in 2003, Oportunidad Microfinanzas was one of the few microfinance organizations in the country.   We’ve accomplished great things in Mexico over the last decade.  During that time Oportunidad Microfinanzas has loaned $40 million, helped 25,000 families and improved more than 100,000 lives. In honor of this final report, we wanted to share one last story of a clients life you helped change, Romualda Garcia Carrasco:

Although Romualda is enjoying the benefits of being a successful business owner, her life has been filled with hardship. After her husband passed away, she was left to care for her eight children on her own. Determined to provide her family with an education and the opportunities she was never able to receive, Romualda opened a storefront retail business in Chapala, Mexico selling chips and candy.

Romualda knew that if she was to realize her dream of sending her children to school she had to increase her profits. A born entrepreneur, she knew to increase her profit she had to increase her customer base and diversify her product line. Even with the know-how Romualda was turned away by bank after bank. Things finally began looking up when a friend told her about Opportunity Mexico. She was elated to receive her first loan and used it to diversify her inventory to include cosmetics.

Romualda’s strong work ethic and attention to detail has enabled her to become the auditor of her Trust Group, a position which requires great responsibility. She enjoys interacting with her fellow group members, whom she draws upon for advice, motivation and a sense of community. Yet Romualda’s greatest source of inspiration is her children. She is so thankful to Opportunity International for empowering her to provide her children with a better future. Today, two of her grown daughters have their own small businesses made possible by their loans with Opportunity Mexico.