Through Global Aid Network’s Economic Empowerment strategy, women in Paraguay are pushing past the limits of what they believed to be possible for their life. No longer are they enslaved to the cruel cycle of poverty that leaves them desperate and empty-handed. Instead, they are being freed to enjoy the gift of financial stability, spiritually rich community and hope for their families and future.
Maria Lorena is one such woman who was empowered to thrive as both a budding entrepreneur and mother with the resources to care for her loved ones. Before learning about Diaconia, our partner organization in Paraguay, she endeavored to provide for her three children by selling bead jewelry and different accessories from her home. Starting out, she bought hair bows to sell to the other parents at her children’s school. Even though her business barely generated any income, it was something.
One day, she heard about a vocational training course that could teach her how to make the bows herself, which would allow her to save the money she spent on buying them. She signed up right away!
“I love the way the professor teaches,” Maria Lorena shared. “She is very professional and now thanks to Diaconía, I am learning to make bows myself and [am] going to have a larger profit margin.”
Maria Lorena loves that she can make more creative and personalized products for different occasions.
“I can’t believe how beautiful they turn out!” she said. “I’m so proud of my progress and I love coming to the course to distract myself, enjoy the company, and learn from the experiences of other women.”
Maria Lorena looks forward to signing up for additional vocational training courses and using her new marketable skills to provide a better quality of life for her three children.
The program places a high value on community and operates out of the belief that people flourish best when they are surrounded by an encouraging support system. This value is what shaped Mariana Serna’s life into one of joy, confidence and empowerment.
Before connecting with Diaconia, Mariana Serna had problems maintaining her minimarket. She didn’t have enough money to cover her personal needs and the needs of the business. One day, she was invited to be part of a Trust Group, a place of community and encouragement where women come together weekly to champion each other as entrepreneurs. Mariana was also given a micro-loan, a lump sum of money that she could use to help boost the productivity of her minimarket.
Thanks to the consistent support of her Trust Group, Mariana was not only able to repay her loan, but managed to grow her business and pay off various expenses. Having never had the opportunity to study at university, she also used the money generated from her business to fulfill her dream of studying.
“In each cycle I am able to recharge my business and have more products. People from my neighborhood already know my store and come to buy my products. Many women from my neighborhood also began to join a Diaconia group. I tell all women to be encouraged . . . with something small God can do many things and surprise us. You just have to have faith and perseverance.”
The power of her Trust Group’s support and friendship was instrumental in Mariana’s journey towards financial stability. She can now enjoy running her minimarket, socializing with her community and dreaming up new goals and aspirations for the future.
Maria and Mariana are experiencing the freedom that comes from being steeped in the program’s values of empowerment, education and community. By receiving the financial and relational support, a solid foundation has been laid for them to continue growing not only as entrepreneurs, but as strong, courageous women of God.
Currently, there are 6,990 microfinance clients and 405 Trust Groups that are being positively impacted by our Economic Empowerment work. Recent reports also show that there are 316 active volunteer chaplains who are providing spiritual mentorship and support to clients as well as 2,098 women who have received vocational training. The continuous growth is an encouraging indicator that this ministry is truly altering the course of thousands of lives in Paraguay.
Leave a Reply