Name:  Silvia

Age:     29 Years

Dream: Open Quilt-Making Businesss in Mexico

Silvia is married with a five-year old son, who is anxiously awaiting his first day of school in September.Silvia believes the most important gift she can give to her son is a good education so he can pursue a career he enjoys. As a result, Silvia started selling cosmetics and facial creams about a year ago to supplement her income from working in a local supermarket full time. Due to the success of her business, Silvia now focuses mostly on her small business, and works at the super market part-time to supplement her cosmetics business. Silvia now sells her products at the supermarket as well on the streets in her neighborhood.

Silvia would like to take out another loan to expand cosmetic products business to include bedside quilts as she notices demand from her customers yet little supply by local businesses.

Silvia is a Grameen America supporter because the women of her group were some of her first friends in the United States. They helped her find a job initially and have encouraged her to pursue new entrepreneurial ventures. Silvia explains that Grameen America revolves around trust, and her peers are precisely the ones she turns to for the support to make ends meet.

We want to congratulate Silvia on the amazing success that she has had. We are proud to have her as a Grameen America borrower!

When Tereza, a single mother of three, moved to New York City from Ecuador she feared that she would face an uphill battle finding a job. However, she was a talented cook and strongly felt it was a skill she could convert into a money-making business. Two and a half years ago her dream became a reality and she began selling food from a small cart in Queens. Tereza used her first Grameen America loan of $1,500 to purchase a larger cart that allows her to sell significantly greater quantities and varieties of food. Tereza subsequently took out a second loan of $2,500 and has not missed a single payment. Her business has allowed her to build savings that she uses to raise and support her children.