When Sonia Solis first heard about Diaconía, HOPE’s microfinance partner in Paraguay, she was earning minimum wage at an office job and struggling to cover the basic needs of her four children.
But Sonia had a dream: running her own business from home so she could provide for her family and be present with them.
With her first loan from Diaconía in 2015, Sonia purchased produce and other home products to sell. Ten years and ten loans later, Sonia has built a thriving business selling produce, home goods, and homemade meals! Today, her children attend a better school and, because her work is based in her house, she is thrilled to spend more time with them. But the transformation in her life and the lives of those around her didn’t stop there.
A safe place to call home
Sonia, with her children
As Sonia grew her business, she also made progress on her goal of providing safe housing for her family. She shares, “Before, we had a plywood house. With the loans, I was able to buy both merchandise and bricks, little by little. Today, I now have a house made of nice materials.”
This housing improvement has been especially important due to one of her children’s health needs. Sonia’s seven-year-old son has chronic lung issues and has often ended up hospitalized. Now that Sonia’s able to keep a closer eye on him, he has even had fewer medical emergencies.
“Because I am always able to be with him, I could keep an eye on him. Being here at home and running a business is my greatest reward.”
More than a loan
Through Diaconía, Sonia also found community and discipleship. Supported by a trained volunteer chaplain through her loan group, Sonia has felt less alone as she walks through her son’s medical situation and her own health challenges.
“[Diaconía] not only helps you economically but spiritually as well. Recently I got some bad news about my health. My chaplain was with me. She told me, ‘You are strong and everything is going to be alright.’”
Sonia has dreams for the future, and a plan to achieve her family’s goals: “My dream is to have my own place to sell fruits and vegetables at a minimarket. …Thanks to God, everything I have is because I could start a business and because of the help I’ve received from Diaconía and the support from my loan group.”
Praise God for the way mothers like Sonia are being equipped to tackle the challenges of poverty and provide for their families!
Did you know that just $25 helps the HOPE network serve one person like Sonia for a year? To help more entrepreneurs like Sonia access Christ-centered financial tools and support to pursue their dreams, give today or give monthly as a Dream Investor to invest in dreams all year long.
