Celedina Soriano Carpio, Ecuador

When Celedina lost first her adult son and then her husband, she wasn’t sure how she would be able to carry on.

But even while dealing with overwhelming grief, Celedina knew she had to find some way to take care of her younger children. She’d always been an accomplished sewer, so she decided to start a small dressmaking business in her home.

When the demand for her well-tailored products quickly outstripped her capacity, she took out her first FINCA loan to buy an industrial sewing machine—and she hasn’t looked back since.

Today, her business has expanded to include a line of men’s clothing and children’s wear, and she employs a number of her neighbors who are grateful to have a good job that lets them take care of their children.

Thanks to her own hard work, good business sense, and a helping hand up from caring people like you, Celedina overcame traumatic personal adversity to build a brighter future for her family and her community.