Voice from the Field: Yolanda Vázquez
Yolanda Vázquez Colorado is a 54-year-old mother of two in the community of Cetlalpa, Veracruz, Mexico. She participates in Coffee Kids-supported microcredit and food sovereignty projects managed by our partner AUGE. See pictures and read more about the project on our Flickr page.
“I have participated in microcredit and saving groups with AUGE for four years already. I use my savings to help my sons who are attending high school. With the savings I can pay tuition and other school materials.
“My sons have small scholarships, but sometimes the money doesn’t arrive on time, so I take a loan to pay the school or I use loans to buy materials or things that the teachers request. Also, I use the money to buy medicine.
“What I like the most about the group is that we have easy access to money. I know I ask the group and they are willing to lend me the money quickly. In other places, even if I had the chance to get credit, the interest rates would be too high for me. Belonging to the microcredit and savings group is important for me.
“I have always worked at home. I have some chicken and pigs that I raise to sell or use at home. I don’t need to buy eggs or meat. This year, I am participating in AUGE’s Food Sovereignty project. I want to cultivate my own vegetables at home.
“I really like this project because I grow my own food and I know where it comes from. Many women in my group want to do this project because it’s healthier for our families and we can save money by producing our own food.
“The most important thing we do in these groups is support each other. We all have many ideas about how to improve our family income, but we also know that we have to transform those ideas into action and get started. I like my group because we can change those ideas into projects that help our families.”
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