Little By Little, Life Gets Better Every Day

Santos Pablo Ruiz grew up in an extremely poor family in Palá, near Cubulco in the Guatemalan department of Baja Verapaz. As a teen she decided to leave Palá in search of work. In 1981, Santos was hired by the parish of Santiago Apostol in Cubulco to cook and care for Catholic groups, children and the elderly. She got married and had a baby, but was widowed shortly thereafter. Santos' story is one of many tragedies familiar in the region, where thousands of citizens were murdered or displaced during Guatemala's 36-year armed conflict.

Training Lays the Groundwork for Success

For more than 15 years, Santos worked as an educator at Santiago Apostol, providing psychosocial and moral support to other victims of the armed conflict. She conducted educational activities on peacebuilding, and equal opportunities and rights. She also participated in health trainings organized by the parish and received a diploma as a community health promoter. In 1999, Santos accepted an invitation from the United Nations to participate in an orientation for women affected by the armed conflict.

"Community work was really rewarding, but I could not say the same about my financial situation. I thought that my money limitations were getting worse and worse and I had to maintain my son. I used to ask myself, What am I going to do now, what am I going to work on? The thought of leaving my community and my few belongings to find work crossed my mind. That same year, out of curiosity I attended a meeting about a credit project and was hopeful that this could be a way to solve my situation."

As part of Catholic Relief Services' food security program, Caritas Verapaz provided rural credit services in Santos' community. Santos, along with 23 other men and women, formed a group to access credit. She acted as the group treasurer and received training in fund management and livestock breeding. Through the lending program each member received credit in amounts that increased over several years.

"The activity helped us meet our basic needs, but deep inside I wanted more," says Santos.

A New Loan for a New Opportunity

One day, Santos was speaking with her son, Juan, about how the credit had improved their lives. He suggested, "Mom, why don't you open a bigger business. You know about health. Maybe you should open a drugstore."

Santos says, "It was my son who believed in my abilities."

Santos requested a new loan from the Church-run FONDESOL (Solidarity Development Fund), a merger of four smaller microfinance programs that had been managed originally by CRS Guatemala. As a prior borrower with an excellent, four-year repayment record, Santos was able to obtain a loan for $3,300. She opened a small community drugstore named "Farmacia El Rosario," which she runs with help from her son, Juan.

Spreading Good Health in Her Community

Today, Santos uses her knowledge about health care to provide counseling on minor health problems to community members who do not have access to health services. She coordinates with a local doctor who provides consultations at the drugstore at low costs.

"Everything has worked out for me at the drugstore and it was having access to an individual loan that made it possible. I still remember how six years ago I was struggling with little money and many needs. With FONDESOL's convenient repayment installments, I was able to open my own business. I'm not saying I have it all. There will always be needs, but I have plenty. I have learned so much on how to manage funds and how to spend more wisely. These trainings help us improve our lives. They helped me double and triple what I had, and I have learned to value all these blessings. I will never forget the opportunity that they gave with this loan."

About FONDESOL

The Solidarity Development Fund, FONDESOL, was created in June of 2004 as the result of a merger of four rural credit programs managed by CRS Guatemala. FONDESOL offers credit to poor, rural families. Clients receive lower interest rates and longer-term repayment periods than those offered by traditional banks. FONDESOL currently manages a portfolio of $3.6 million and provides credit to over 12,000 men and women.