For many years Noe Antonio Cornejo worked long hours at a local coffee plantation making very little money. Life had been hard for Noe. He only had a ninth grade education and had lost an eye while serving in the army. Then, when his wife passed away, Noe was left with five children to feed.
Noe had long dreamed of becoming a baker and when he heard about Mentores, Mentors' partner organization in El Salvador, he felt this opportunity was the answer to his prayers. With some business training and a loan from Mentores he was able to make the metal molds to bake his first loaf of bread.
Noe had long dreamed of becoming a baker and when he heard about Mentores, Mentors' partner organization in El Salvador, he felt this opportunity was the answer to his prayers. With some business training and a loan from Mentores he was able to make the metal molds to bake his first loaf of bread.
Five years later Noe is now the proud owner of Panes Los Ricos bakery. Every morning he wakes up at 3 a.m. to bake bread in an old rusty oven held together with a plastic bungy cord strap. After the bread is cooled on his metal molds his sons take the bread to the market to sell before school starts. Then Noe works long hours at a local coffee plantation. Although his conditions are far from perfect he is very grateful to Mentores for helping him help and his sons have a better life.
Noe now makes $160 in extra income.
“I have never been more blessed than now. My prayers have been answered. I love my sons very much and I believe this business has not only helped me but has given my children the opportunity to learn how to run their own business one day,” said Noe.
Noe now makes $160 in extra income.
“I have never been more blessed than now. My prayers have been answered. I love my sons very much and I believe this business has not only helped me but has given my children the opportunity to learn how to run their own business one day,” said Noe.
