Journal entry for Gloria Espayos

Small Store but Big Selection: Update on Gloria Espayos

Gloria Espayos was barely noticeable in the bustling street, squeezed between the highway and the noisy banter and haggling going on the wet market behind her. Her 1 square meter stand consisting of a stool, and umbrella and a bilao (native woven winnower) was set atop a little box. Despite the heat, smoke and humidity of the morning, she was in a great mood and welcomed us underneath her small umbrella.

Gloria invested her 22,000 peso loan in her businesses, which consisted of her spice and newspaper store, food supplements and an underwear direct selling line. She has invested half of the loan amount to her spice and newspaper store, with the spices being stored at her home and the newspapers being bought every day. She spent the rest on food supplements and Ready-to-wear clothing.

Gloria mentioned that it was necessary for her to have many products to offer her customers because of the tight competition in the market. She also says that as of the moment she is in the process of building her own stall right inside her home so she won’t have to rent space beside the highway, enabling her to add the rent money to her income.

She maintains that her disability, which was barely noticeable except for the crutches behind her, is never enough of a hindrance for her to progress in her business. Even if she is alone in her efforts to progress as her family has moved abroad. Gloria was left alone because of her disability and is now past marriageable age with no husband to support her.

She is thankful for the Kiva lenders and CCT who are enabling her to maintain and slowly expand her business. She believes that any money that was lent to any person should be put to use wisely and with borrowing money also comes the responsibility of repayment.

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