Henry is the taller boy on the right- his brother Esneiver is 2 years younger- Their parents are in the back.
I requested an update of the food cart business that we raised funds for in April 2009. The reason the I requested the update was because we did the fundraiser for only 1/3 of the money that they needed to start the business. I wanted to see if they were able to start the business with the funds we raised in addition to the loan they received, or if I needed to set up another fundraiser to raise the other $400+.
The 1st response that I received from the field said simply, "The business is doing well." I thought that was going to be all I would find out...
What a surprise to find an update with pictures in my mailbox on Saturday!!! Check out the great pictures! This is exactly what this group is all about, and the pictures show the change that we have already made for one family! The update was equally as exciting as the pictures. These are the details:
The business the family is running is doing very well and it has given profits. The business is in another sector very distant from the neighborhood where the family lives.
After 3 months of starting the business, they received incomes of $837.00, which were used to make payments on their loan ($78.53 per month). The rest of the income was used to purchase supplies for the business and expenses of the house.
They think that their quality of life has improved a little economically and they say there are months when they sell more than others. They are planning on expanding the business and start another one near their neighborhood which would be run by Henry's mother.
They have a list of things they need in order to open the other business. Since the family only received $200 toward this current business, they have a loan of close to $2000 that they need to repay. The other business would help them pay off their debt. I would like to set Henry's family up with a fundraiser in a few months. We have many fundraisers to get through. The family needs a total of $1650 to start the second business. Even if I can only set them up to get $350 worth of the items, it will bring them closer to their dream.
Have you ever seen a happier family? By the way, Steve will be traveling to Colombia soon! I will try to see if the food cart is close to where he is going. Then, he could get a taste of food from one of our IGP fundraisers!! I wish I could be there!
1 comment:
They certainly do look very happy and proud of their new business. Have you thought of perhaps sending them a D.P. of light supplies such as table-cloths, napkins, and disposable cutlery to give them extra funds to pay off their debt?
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