Chiclayo Peru
Chiclayo, the fourth largest city in Peru, which has approximately one million inhabitants. Founded in the 16th century as an outlying district of the older town of Lambayeque, the unemployment rate unfortunately now reaches more than 60% in this area. Sixty-four percent of the families in Lambayeque are categorized as the poorest of the poor (living on less than $1 per person per day). There are few programs in the north area to help small businesses to develop and grow. Countless families survive on a budget of $US 30.00 a month and many families live outside Chiclayo in sandy desert areas without water, sewer systems and sometimes electricity. Those that have employment are often underpaid; in order to maintain employment they, work long hours and more than five days a week, including holidays and Sundays to keep their jobs. The migration to other countries or to Lima is high, especially for the younger generation, not always solving their problems. Eagle Condor works to help the whole community through their programs for education and self-employment training.
Example of successful Micro-Loan Training:
Before – Cesar was traveling out of Chiclayo each day for work and not making enough cover the monthly expenses to provide for his family. Cesar learned of ECH and sought training. Cesar’s initial loan was $350 which allowed the family to buy their first oven.
After - César and his wife Carmen now own an empanada business. The days are long and each day they bake about 500 empanadas. They are happy they have a successful business. “We have enough for food, and it is easier to pay the school fees for my daughter. Now we have daily income. Before, we often fell short and did not have money for our basic expenses until the end of the month when my husband was paid. Now, we even have a little put aside in case of an emergency.”
Carmen is energetically planning for the future. “We are hoping to expand our products soon, we are going to grow!” she said. “I love work, I love our business.”
More Step 3 Projects:
