April 2009 Articles

Alfredina del Carmen Paredes

On the day of our interview, Alfredina's front porch is full of women and children. She is the mother of nine children ranging in age from 13 to 35 years old and grandmother to countless grandchildren, many of whom live near her home.   When her oldest children were born in Santa Rosa de Copan (in the department of Copan near the border with Guatemala), Alfredina and her husband were so poor that their children were not able to study beyond primary school. Eventually, they moved to Roma (in the department of Atlántida near La Ceiba), where she opened a small pulperia (convenience store) in her home.

Alfredina's story is an exemplary model of the path to success for an Adelante client.   Five years ago, when she joined Adelante, Alfredina invested her loans in expanding inventory. Now her business has grown enough that she can rent a larger and more visible location next to the main highway. Alfredina took her first individual loan from Adelante for 12,000 lempiras (about $600) two years ago and has since taken two more loans, including the most recent for over $1,000. With larger individual loans, Alfredina has purchased a refrigerator and freezer for her pulperia and expanded her products to include chilled and frozen items.  

Alfredina is the main income earner in her family; her husband has a part-time job hauling garbage away from a large hotel complex nearby, but he is at home most of the time. Alfredina's successful business has brought her family out of extreme poverty and she is extremely proud that her younger children are in high school and two of them are pursuing a career in tourism.  

Alfredina plans to expand her pulperia indefinitely with Adelante's help.   She says she feels more despejada (clear-headed) now that finances are not such a burden.   Alfredina has shown that with a bit of determination, hard work, and the opportunity that microfinance offers, one woman can transform her life!

This Mother's Day Give the Gift of Empowerment!

This Mother's Day send a powerful message that you believe in empowering women to be the best mothers that they can be.   Send our card to a woman in your life and make a contribution in her name in honor of mothers everywhere.  

If you have contributed to Adelante in the past, you should receive your Mother's Day Card in the mail this week. To receive additional cards, please email info@AdelanteFoundation.org .

Photograph of the Month

California asamblea in La Ceiba.

Upcoming Events

On April 25 th and 26 th the Adelante Foundation will participate in the Denver Post Colorado Women's Expo.   Visit us at booth 734.  

April 30 th is the Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce ATHENA Award Gala. Look for us in the May issue of ColoradoBiz which unveils the Athena Award recipient.  

Social Networking

April features GoodSearch.com.   Use GoodSearch.com and give to Adelante simply by searching the internet!

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