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Enma Alfaro Vargus,
Honduras
Four years ago, Enma Alfaro Vargas' husband died. He was the primary wage earner in their family of six. Shortly before his death, Enma had taken out a US$33 FINCA loan to help pay for a market stall, where she prepared and sold fried chicken. The loss of her husband had a disastrous impact on her family life and on her business. With four children under the age of twelve to feed, clothe, and care for, Enma's business faltered, and she fell seriously behind in her loan payments. Enma knew that her family's future lay in the success or failure of her business. So, with the support of her village bank, Enma paid off her first loan and secured a second. With the second loan, she purchased a refrigerator for storing the chicken before cooking it. This simple addition allowed her to increase sales and triple her income. Over the next two years, Enma continued with the village bank and her business, slowly building her savings. As she progressed, she was able to buy a small plot of land and construct a house in her home of Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Enma knew that by diversifying her business, she could provide even more security for her family. She used another loan to purchase clothing that she began selling from her home.
Enma now earns US$75 a day from both business activities. Although she has saved
over US$1,000, she continues with her village bank, requesting loans which she invests
in her growing businesses.
Name of microfinance programme: FINCA Honduras Hari Srinivas - hsrinivas@gdrc.org  Return to the Human Angle Return to the Virtual Library on Microcredit
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