Filomena's story

Before the small rural village of Quispe, Bolivia, awoke, Filomena rose at 3am and prepared to cook. Another long day had begun with hours of toil, travel and standing ahead of her. The food she prepared would be sold at the regional market, two hours away. As a woman living alone in one of Bolivia's harshest regions, life was tough and providing for her basic needs an on-going struggle.

Then tragically her younger sister died whilst giving birth to her fifth child. In order to lessen her brother-in-law's burden, Filomena, who had no children of her own, decided to dedicate herself to looking after her nephews and nieces. She cooked and cleaned for her new family, helped the children with their homework, stitched their school uniforms - all the while still rising at dawn to cook and sell her food at the market.

Filomena's passbook issued by the Altiplano Villa Bank in collaboration with Plan

However, a new and brighter future beckoned when Filomena was able to access a loan through the microfinance programme supported by Plan in her community. With encouragement from her family and other women clients, she took out a modest loan. This loan has enabled her to fulfil her dream - to open a small restaurant in her village. The food is delicious and the patrons well looked after. Filomena has now saved more than £150, which is equal to approximately two months' wages. Having money saved for emergencies as well as sending the children to school, are things Filomena could only have dreamed of before. Her business now supports the family and the savings which she has been able to accumulate, mean that she and her family have more security and choices for the future.