Peru
Peru Stories
We have been working in Peru since 2003 and serve over 2,000 clients through two branches in shanty towns to the North and South of Lima.
Ana-Maria
Ana-Maria is a single mother with 3 children aged 17, 16 and 3 years. She has struggled to bring up her family and she stays with mother. She now runs a beauty products business, using 35 agents to help sell the goods. She is currently also selling flowers for Mothers Day. There are 3 women in her solidarity group. She has taken 3 loans which have really helped to put the business on track.
Pedro
Pedro Tintalla lives in the southern part of Lima, Peru. He took out a small loan from the Five Talents partner to buy two full gas cylinders. He sold them in exchange for empties, and gradually he has built up his re-filling business. He now has around 40 gas cylinders thanks to the seed capital provided by Five Talents. His customer-base is growing, and so is the turnover and profit. Pedro appreciates the practical support that Five Talents has brought, enabling him to care for his family. His dream is to send his children to university.
Renee
Renee Pacheco is a member of Las Tres Marias group in a shanty town on the outskirts of Lima, Peru. She sells breakfast to the people who work in what is called the "Market of God," in Pamplona Alta. She took the loan to increase her capacity to sell sandwiches and juices. With the profits, she buys medicines to treat one of her five children.
Her loan-group meets weekly and they share parenting ideas with the community, and follow-up with them, to help reduce child abuse and neglect. Because of her participation in the group, Renee describes herself as "a person of love and faith."
Ruvis & Marta
Ruvis & Martha live in Villa Maria del Triunfo in Lima, and run a teddy bear production business from their home. Their first loan was in 2004 and since then their business has grown hugely. From small beginnings, they have been able to create many local jobs and now employ 5 permanent staff and 25 contract staff.