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Andrea Hernandez Diaz's Story

Written by: Grameen Foundation

Article Overview: Andrea has been making textile handicrafts for the last twelve years. At 36, she is married and has 6 children. Before she became a client of Grameen Foundation partner AlSol, she embroidered her fabric and maintained a small production. Many times she would not be able to meet the demand for her crafts because she did not have enough resources to invest in her small business.

Andrea Hernandez Diaz's Story

Andrea has been making textile handicrafts for the last twelve years. At 36, she is married and has 6 children. Before she became a client of Grameen Foundation partner AlSol, she embroidered her fabric and maintained a small production. Many times she would not be able to meet the demand for her crafts because she did not have enough resources to invest in her small business.

When Andrea began as a client of AlSol, she received an initial loan of 500 Pesos (about USD 50.) With the first loan, Andrea was able to purchase fabric so that she could increase her supply of embroidery products. With the subsequent loans she purchased additional raw materials to further expand her business.

Andrea’s participation in AlSol and the subsequent growth of her business have had tremendous impact on her family’s life. “Since participating in the program I have purchased land, improved my family’s nutrition, and supported my children through school. I expanded my business and constructed two additional rooms onto my home, which I now use to sell my products from.” Beyond the benefits that her family has seen, Andrea enjoys belonging to a group and supporting her peers through both business and personal hardship. “AlSol has improved my life in ways that I could not have imagined.”

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Article Tags: 500 pesos, andrea, crafts, embroidery products, fabric, foundation partner, handicrafts, loans, nutrition, participation, peers, personal hardship, raw materials, small business, twelve years



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