For many years, Oscar Abarca and his wife Veronica, both natives of Nahuizalco, El Salvador, went from door to door selling women’s shoes. They would buy the shoes with their credit card and make the minimum $28 payment each month. The Abarcas realized that it would take years to pay off the card and were frustrated because their business was not succeeding. Then, they heard about Mentors.
Mentors taught them to buy their shoes from a shoemaker, sell their shoes to stores, and create a catalog with pictures of their shoes. Once they made these changes, Mentors gave them their first loan. Soon, they had greatly multiplied their number of clients plus they were able repay Mentors in five months. They also hired three employees whom they paid on commission. Within a year, their monthly income went from $150 to $300.
Oscar was happy with his newfound success but desired to help his friends and neighbors who were similarly struggling to get out of poverty. He convinced Mentors to open a branch in his town and, because of Oscar’s past experience in business and sales, he was hired as its loan officer.
Oscar now has an average of 50 clients a week and adds on 10 new clients each week. Ninety-five percent of his clients repay their loans on time.
“I see in Oscar someone who is not only a good employee but someone who has the innate desire to pull his friends and neighbors out of poverty as well. What an admirable quality,” said Carlos Rivas, executive director of Mentors in El Salvador.
The Abarcas are now able to live comfortably. Veronica has maintained their flourishing shoe business, which sometimes makes as much as $400 per month. So much in their life has changed because of Mentors’ help.
“I love working for Mentors. Carlos Rivas has helped me understand that assisting the impoverished is one of life’s greatest accomplishments. Their successes fuel me and make me very happy,” said Oscar, with a smile on his face.
Mentors taught them to buy their shoes from a shoemaker, sell their shoes to stores, and create a catalog with pictures of their shoes. Once they made these changes, Mentors gave them their first loan. Soon, they had greatly multiplied their number of clients plus they were able repay Mentors in five months. They also hired three employees whom they paid on commission. Within a year, their monthly income went from $150 to $300.
Oscar was happy with his newfound success but desired to help his friends and neighbors who were similarly struggling to get out of poverty. He convinced Mentors to open a branch in his town and, because of Oscar’s past experience in business and sales, he was hired as its loan officer.
Oscar now has an average of 50 clients a week and adds on 10 new clients each week. Ninety-five percent of his clients repay their loans on time.
“I see in Oscar someone who is not only a good employee but someone who has the innate desire to pull his friends and neighbors out of poverty as well. What an admirable quality,” said Carlos Rivas, executive director of Mentors in El Salvador.
The Abarcas are now able to live comfortably. Veronica has maintained their flourishing shoe business, which sometimes makes as much as $400 per month. So much in their life has changed because of Mentors’ help.
“I love working for Mentors. Carlos Rivas has helped me understand that assisting the impoverished is one of life’s greatest accomplishments. Their successes fuel me and make me very happy,” said Oscar, with a smile on his face.
