COOKING AND PASTRY CLASSES FOR ALL

Nairobi Rodríguez found out about the Cooking Program at the new Cultural Integration Center of La Sagrada Familia parish in Sabana Yegua. Not knowing how to read, she initially feared that she wouldn’t be accepted into the program. Nairobi has plenty of spunk and determination, so she decided to enroll in the program and to bring along her daughter, who is in the first year of high school, to take notes for all the recipes.  In this way she was able to finish the 60 hour Basic Cooking Class. This new program is made possible by INFOTEP, a public institution for professional and technical formation.

The Cooking Program is already very popular. Both groups of students who took the Basic Cooking class are so enthusiastic that they will now continue the program by enrolling in the 180 hour Pastry Class. This is a major challenge! They will need more ingredients and utensils and will have to see where they can get some funding, for even though the course is free, it is necessary to acquire some things so that, afterwards, they will be able to delight family and friends with their new-found cooking and pastry-making skills.

Nairobi is very grateful for the cooking class and she too will join the pastry class. The most important thing for her is that now she has regained the courage and determination to continue and finish her schooling. Having successfully completed her cooking classes has helped her realize that she would be able to go much further if she knew how to read. Therefore, even though she works in the mornings and then in the afternoons she has to care for her five children, she is now determined to get organized for success. One thing about which she is very clear is this: she does not want to be illiterate anymore.

MICROLOANS IN SABANA YEGUA

Florinda Ramírez has a very small shop. Even though it’s not yet her dream business, she is getting income to help her big family. She sells the basic food for the typical daily meal in her small community: salt, rice, spices, tomato sauce...plus some chicken on a good day. She also sells a few convenience items, such as candy and bagged snacks, that are special treats to enjoy from time to time.

Florinda is part of a group of 25 women who are receiving microloans of around 250 USD, which are expected to be paid back in less than a year. They all have small businesses like beauty shops and shops selling food and clothing. Importantly, through these small loans, these enterprising women have entered into the credit system with the bank, the beginning of an important business relationship. The women operate collaboratively within a support group of five per village community. They have been able to acquire more products to expand and improve their businesses and are making their payments in a punctual manner. Additionally the 25 women have participated in a course about starting small businesses, facilitated by INFOTEP (a Government organization), whereby they have deepened their knowledge necessary to manage a small business. For example, all of these microloans were initiated by the preparation of modest business plans.