Melyora Trujillo - February, 2008 - Yajalon

March 10, 2008

My name is Melyora Trujillo and I am a Fellow with NamasteDirect. Having just returned from Chiapas, Mexico I am eager to share with you my extraordinary experience as the group captain of the Tres Aguaves 100+ group. The goal of my weeklong visit to Chiapas was to act as a liaison between you - the donors of NamasteDirect, and the groups of women microentrepreneur’s that NamasteDirect funds. While there I met with the women, took part in their meetings, learned about their businesses, and had the opportunity to see how the microcredit process works on a more in-depth level.

Accompanied by an assessor of Al Sol, the organization that NamasteDirect funds, I attended four to five meetings a day with different groups of women borrowers. All of the meetings took place at a borrower’s house with six to fifteen women. Many of these locations were an hour or more from the location of the Al Sol office, located in the very small town of Yajalon, which is about 5 hours east of the main office in San Cristobal de las Casas.

Chiapas is a one of the most beautiful areas that I have ever visited, and while driving through the lush hillsides complete with banana trees, corn stalks, and sunflowers, I was amazed at the beauty of the landscape and the numerous populations of indigenous groups that reside within the state. Impressed with the vibrant culture and the friendly faces I encountered, I was equally saddened and taken aback by the evident levels of poverty. Many of the houses that I visited consisted of dirt floors, tin roofs, no indoor plumbing, and lacked various necessities that you and I are so accustomed to in our daily lives. Furthermore, many of the houses were empty and contained only beds and a couple plastic chairs here and there.
Getting to many of the houses was a trek, some were located literally in the middle of nowhere, and many times we would park and walk for 30-60 minutes to the top or bottom of a hill. Once there I was able to see the women come together to pay back their loans (a bi-monthly occurrence), and hear about their current business concerns and/or achievements. I also had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with many of the women, and talk to them about their lives, their experiences, and how microcredit has positively affected and changed their realities. This was the main highlight of my journey, as well as taking photos with the polaroid camera, which was always a pleasant surprise and utter shock to the women when an instant photo of them magically appeared!

One situation that was really striking to me came from my meeting with the Cascada Group. Having driven for almost an hour we arrived at the meeting place, which was the house of Andrea Celeste Perez Victoria. Andrea’s business is attached to her one-room home and consists of a mini store that sells crackers, wood, gas, water, juice, candy, vegetables and fruit, she also grows coffee and makes skirts.
Within fifteen minutes, ten women all dressed in their beautiful and colorful traditional clothing complete with infants strapped to their sides were waiting anxiously to start the meeting and pay back a part of their loan. It was obvious that they all take pride in their business, and want the best for their family. Many of the women were really shy and hesitant to speak at first, but after some time and a few pictures, many allowed me to survey them.

When the meeting came to an end, Andrea and her husband invited Marciano (the Al Sol employee) and myself to eat with them and their family. To the other side of the house is a separate little room full of chickens and a little stove for cooking. In this room, Andrea and her mother made us food - eggs picked directly from the chickens that were running around, and corn tortillas. It was a really warm and welcoming gesture.

We talked about how much microcredit has helped them and their family, and they also wanted to ask me questions about my life and what it is like to live in the United States. When we were finished they asked if I would be in a Polaroid photo with their family. It made me feel really honored just to be a part of that photo and to have talked with them. More than anything, they stated that access to credit has changed their lives, and without it they do not know how they would survive.

From that visit and the other conversations that I had with borrowers, I learned quite of a bit about the women’s various businesses and the process of microcredit. Topics that were discussed included: the amounts that were borrowed, the actual business, where and to whom the product is sold, costs associated with the business, how much is made and how much time it takes to make the product, monthly family expenses, alternative business ideas, and what kind of tools or resources would be helpful for additional success.

The ability to have access to credit has enabled everyone I spoke with to start or expand their business. Without that capitol, many of the women were unsure of what they would do or how they would provide for their families. Such businesses include, little stores that are connected to their houses or on the side of the road, making textiles and crafts, selling tortillas, deserts or tamales, raising chickens or other animals to sell at a later time or to sell the eggs for consumption, and so many more.

In order to attain credit you must find around ten other women who want to start or expand a business with microcredit. The group component is important because every two weeks you are expected to pay back your loan, and if you are not able to your group is responsible for your payment. This instills individual and community responsibility, which I believe assists in a greater rate of success. The amounts of credit that women borrow are small, ($100-$300), and yet the changes that are made are immense, profound, motivating, and real. All of the women agreed that opportunity and success is possible with the ability to access credit. Many also suggested that some basic classes in business and other related issues would be beneficial.

Opportunity is rare for the women of Chiapas. However with NamasteDirect and donors such as you - opportunity exists. Your donations are the catalysts for women who want a better life for themselves, their family, and their community. With access to microcredit, this is the jump-start that the women of Chiapas need to create opportunity and change in their lives. This change equals successful businesses and a move out of poverty and into self-sufficiency for themselves, their families, and their communities

As stated before, having the chance to go to Chiapas and meet the women that NamasteDirect funds was one of the most eye-opening experiences I have ever had! I was truly honored to meet with the women, take part in their meetings, and see how well organized and compassionate the employees of Al Sol are. To me it only seems right that every individual has the opportunity to make something out of their lives and care for themselves and their families in the best way possible. The determination for a better life is captured at the end of every meeting when every woman stands up to say “unidad, disciplina, trabajo, y valor, esta es nuestra forma de vida” meaning unity, discipline, work, and self worth, this is the way of our life.

Having studied and read so much about the proven success of microcredit, I witnessed first-hand the immeasurable changes that microcredit creates. From a personal standpoint I want to continue to be a part of this change and I hope that you will join me.

Sincerely,

Melyora Trujillo