ECLOF Colombia supports a farmer overcome the disaster caused to his crops by La Niña

Client: José Vicente Aguasaco Sierra

Business: Farming

Location: Colombia

Gender: Man

The strong rains originating from La Niña that have recently affected Colombia caused disasters for crops and roads for many of ECLOF Colombia’s clients. A special report from the Regional Committee for the Attention and Prevention of Disasters (CREPAD) revealed that in 2011 every 16 kilometers of road in Colombia contained an area damaged by rain.

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From battling malnutrition to a successful handicraft business

Client: Roberto & Maria

Business: Jewelry

Location: Lima, Peru

Before ECLOF Peru and Five Talents International helped, Rosita and her family suffered from severe malnutrition. Six-year-old Rosita Elizabeth and her family had moved from a small Peruvian city in the Amazon jungle. And her parents searched in vain for odd jobs – just to survive in Lima. Rosita’s mother (Maria) tells the story of the family going to bed many nights with empty stomachs. “We would get meals at a community food kitchen but suffered from food poisoning several times,” Maria said. This forced Rosita’s parents to risk sickness or choose hunger for their family.

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Cándido Novo: a vision without limits

Client: Cándido Novo

Business: Ice cream sales

Location: Dominican Republic

Gender: Man

“With a loan from ECLOF I bought my first hotdog cart. It cost me 350 dollars. As I expanded my business, I was able to acquire 18 carts and to employ 24 persons".

"However, I felt that I needed to change my business because I was growing, so I went into ice cream sales and distribution. I started with a guagüita – a small truck in partnership with a friend of mine, but ultimately I bought other trucks and I was also able to buy my associate’s share of the business.”

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Domitila Roca: Domitila’s ponchos pay for her daughter’s physio

Client: Domitila Roca

Business: Knitwear

Location: Peru

Gender: Woman

A mother of two disabled children is knitting her family a brighter future – thanks to two loans from ECLOF Peru.

Domitila Roca and her husband Felix have started building a new house from the proceeds of their knitwear business. The Rocas, from Northern Lima, Peru, have restarted physiotherapy for their daughter who has lost the use of her legs. In the past six years the Rocas have sold about 2000 sweaters, ponchos, bonnets, scarves and the like – mainly to the Italian market.

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Life Builders Fellowship

Business: Concrete block manufacture

Location: Jamaica

Gender: Man

Violence and unemployment have plagued the inner-city community of Olympic Gardens in Kingston, Jamaica for many years now.

A local church’s community development program works to create social cohesion by unearthing the hidden talents of individuals and providing viable employment opportunities. The New Testament Church of God sponsors microenterprises through the Miracle Tabernacle Foundation, one of its key programs. Pastor John Hardy and the members of the church provide training and create jobs through entrepreneurial projects.

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