Olga Maria Martinez

Olga with her 6 year old son Yassir

Born in El Sauce and raised by her grandparents, 25-year-old Olga now has two children of her own. Her son Yassir, age 6, and her daughter Ashley, age 3, are the most important things in her life.  When her children were born, it was difficult for Olga to continue her education, but she received help from her family to care for the children, allowing her to continue to attend college.

Today, Olga is studying accounting at UNAN in León, and she will finish her degree in two years. To support her education, she works at a bar 3 days a week and also runs a small business making and selling food from her home. After she graduates, Olga is hoping to find a job in her field, but for now she is happy with her business.

Olga with some of her tortillas

Olga started selling food when she was 10 years old, going out to sell tortillas and other products her grandmother made. Today, Olga makes tortillas, cream, and cuajada (a kind of cheese), which she then sells from her home. Her cousin also helps her by taking some of her products to sell throughout El Sauce. Olga is proud that her business is gaining popularity because the food she makes is so good.

Her loan from Enlace of U$200 helped Olga purchase more ingredients that she needs to make her products such as corn, milk, and cream. She is grateful that her training from Enlace taught her how to save money and work with financial goals in mind. One of Olga’s goals is to save enough money to host a birthday party for her son in September. So far she thinks that she is on track.

--Written by Jessica Kroenert and Cameron Houser