Week Number Two!

Well another week has come and gone. It's actually really surprising how time can seem to go by so quickly. This week Dallin and I spent some more time visiting businesses, including the ever famous Panaderia in Huanchaquito, Peru. The Panaderia is still doing well and they are about to finish paying off another loan.
We also spent a lot of time working on the financial projections of the business plans that will be
presented this June to qualify for a loan. We have really been able to make some progress and are glad to be making a difference. One project that I was able to work on a lot this week was on Luis' plan for a mini market. To start off, I was very impressed with Luis and all of the time and effort he has been put in to this project. Luis wants to start a mini market in a new subdivision. The subdivision is part of government subsidized program that will be housing close to 200 families starting in July. After those houses are filled the project will continue to build close to an additional 800 housing units. Luis believes that by starting a mini market right at the beginning that he will be able to run a successful business and continue to grow as the housing development grows. He is a hard worker and shows a lot of potential and that is why Dallin and I want to do all we can to help him and all the other loan applicants to be as successful as possible.

Week of Welcome!

Work has officially commenced for the us, the new interns, and what a week it has been! From getting to know the culture and relearning the language to crunching numbers in complicated Excel spreadsheets to relaxing on the beach in Huanchaco, our days have been filled to capacity learning our place here in Trujillo, Peru.

Much of our time Monday and Tuesday passed quickly as Douglas and I studied over financial projections and expenses of each of the six ongoing plans. Making the numbers work and finding spots that can use improvement brought early satisfaction to our labors.

Wednesday and Thursday brought the projects to life as we accompanied Elena to visit a number of existing businesses. One visit early Thursday morning was especially exciting. MoniC, the clothing manufacturing business, has recently been one of Elena's worries. Carmen (the "C" of MoniC), was able to only pay interest on her loan payment last month. Heading to the visit, Elena was prepping us for the possibility that Carmen could be going through some difficulties that would make repayment difficult and our jobs a little more complicated. To our delight, Carmen has had a run of good fortune and her business is picking up. She recently has contracted with local businesses to increase her clothing production. She also has moved some of her work to her own home to make it more convenient and has begun selling out of her house. She continues to look for opportunities and has a great optimistic attitude about the future.

Other visits have proved to be enlightening and fun, all of which are helping us get on our feet and really get to work. It's exciting to be a part of something so real with real impacts for real people. We only hope to do our part.

My first impressions of Peru!

Douglas Ward - Summer 2013 -

It has been a great weekend her in Peru. Dallin and I arrived early Thursday morning and we have had a great experience over the last few days getting to know Peru and a few of the people here. Since Dallin has been to Peru before we decided that it would be best if I shared some of my very first impressions of Peru. Before coming I had heard about how great Elena and Jaquiline are and I have to say that all of the rumors are true. They have both gone out of their way to help us find our way around the city and to make sure that we are enjoying ourselves. Also we met Alejandro Falcón and he was also very gracious and fun to talk with. All of the people that I have met so far have been very kind and generous!

Now let's talk about food for just a minute. Dallin and I have spent the last few days trying different foods and looking for places where we would like to eat over the next few months. I enjoyed the famous peruvian dish of aji de gallina, a type of shredded chicken smothered in some kind of sauce. The peruvian hamburger I ate was edible but I don't think I'll return to eat at that burger joint again. One of my favorite places so far though is San Augustines. It's a sandwich and juice shop. I ate a simple turkey sandwich with a strawberry smoothie, it was excellent! 

The area of Trujillo where we live has been enjoyable. We live next to a few parks and pretty close to the center of the city. One thing that I'm not really used to is how much honking goes on in the streets. All of the taxis are honking to signal that they are looking for passengers and all of the other cars are honking to warn people or other cars that they are coming through. It's a lot for a stranger to the country but to everyone else here it's just the normal day to day. 

All in all I have loved my first few days in Peru and I am sure that Dallin and I are going to have a great time with a lot more adventures!

Elena Pajilla

Elena Pajilla, managing director, of Danper Sembrando Futuro was born in Pampas, a town in the mountains of Peru.   She is the youngest of 5 sisters and grew up in Trujillo, Peru. 

She attended Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, where she studied accounting and finance.  In addition to her studies she also played volleyball.  Elena enjoys reading, listening to music, going to the movies and spending time with her friends and family. 

Elena has worked for Danper Sembrando Futuro since the start of the program in 2007.  She is responsible for the administration, finances, accounting and execution of business projects running “Danper Sembrando Futuro” and Wasatch Social Ventures. 

Elena working with Santos, a long time loan recipient and owner of a mini-market

Elena says, “I love my job, I like to have contact with people and to teach and help people less fortunate start their business.  I like to feel that I form part of something that starts with an idea embodied on paper and then that idea becomes a business.  I get to share that with the individual and see the impact that is generated in their lives.  Not only economic but the additional value added to their lives through running there own business.  This all happens because of the SEED program.”

Elena at the second anniversary of Panificadora Mi Barrio Progresa 

Elena works very hard for the program and is dedicated to its success.  She is always willing to help out and do whatever is asked of her, even if it means adding more to her workload.   She is good at her job and we are proud that we get to work with her.       

 Elena with Alejandro Falcon and the Fall 2012 SEED Interns