Female entrepreneurship as a way out of poverty

Dear difteurs,

In Ecuador, entrepreneurship is becoming an inescapable solution to economic challenges. During their first three months in the field, Impulso volunteers were able to grasp the scale of this reality, where setting up a business is often the only way to generate a stable income.

Ingrid and Naomi, for example, have degrees in biotechnology but find themselves unemployed. Determined to change their future, they set out to produce artisanal Kombucha. Thanks to Impulso's marketing training and the support of their loved ones, they acquired the skills needed to market their product locally.

Belen, another beneficiary, opened a clothing boutique to save for launching her own brand. Working tirelessly, she is gradually building the capital needed to realize her dream.

Finally, Nelly and Darwin, a couple of beekeepers, are diversifying their production to improve their income. Their next project: offering tourist tours of their farm.

These journeys show the resilience of Ecuadorians and the need to offer them strong accompaniment. On a daily basis, the volunteers see how entrepreneurship provides solutions, but also the risks, particularly linked to debt and successive loans. Thanks to their commitment and Impulso's partners, these entrepreneurs can move forward with confidence and determination towards a better future.

Nena and Victor, originally from Chile, have lived a life marked by exile and resilience. After moving to Venezuela for Victor's job, they spent 43 years there, started a family and overcame countless integration challenges. However, rising violence and insecurity under Nicolás Maduro's regime forced them to quit their lives and store after a traumatic armed robbery.

Today, in Campeche, Mexico, they continue to rebuild. Nena, with her talent for creating macramé jewelry, and Victor, a wood craftsman, find in their work a way to reconnect with their Chilean roots and years spent in Venezuela. At the age of 70, their determination is exemplary: they learn to use social networks to sell their creations to the local market, symbolizing their willingness to persevere despite family distance and hardship.

Thanks to our accompaniment, Nena and Victor are supported to develop their craft business, creating a stable source of income while preserving their cultural heritage. Their story is an inspiring testament to courage, and shows concretely the impact of our commitment to women and artisans in Latin America, enabling them to transform their art into a true economic engine.

A big thank you to you, dear difters, for your invaluable support!