CuscoGracias

Loan #15: Nely Huaman Florez

2012-01-27T16:07:00.013-05:00

Nely (right) with her husband, Edilberto, and Ben

We are glad to offer the 15th CuscoGracias loan to Nely Huaman Florez. Nely works for a real estate business and is hoping to expand her shop space (I wish we had a picture to show you how modest it is) in hopes of increasing her clientele. Nely is a hard worker and kind person with a wonderful sense of humor. We are pleased to be able to work with her along with those of you whose loan will be extended to her. As always, we will keep you updated when she pays back the loan and you can decide whether to get your money back or re-loan it to another recipient.

Muchas gracias!

Lenders to Nely (as of 2/2012):

Revell, B. & M. (re-loan)
Palhomous, A. (re-loan)
Revell, R. (re-loan)
Manak, C. (re-loan)
Manak, M. (re-loan)
Adams, S. & K.

Total loan to Nely: $1000
amount of loan to Nely collected to date: $200
amount still needed: $800

If you would like to be a part of this loan to Nely, please contact us at cuscogracias@gmail.com.

Thanks!
Rick and Jen Mayes

Loan #14: Syndia Salas Candia

2011-09-10T10:04:00.015-04:00

*Overview of the CuscoGracias Program: http://cuscograciasinfo.blogspot.com/

Syndia

The 14th CuscoGracias loan is going to Syndia Salas Candia, the sister of a good friend of ours in Cusco. Syndia was recently married and moved to a town in the north of Peru, Tumbes, where she is opening an ice cream stand. She requested this loan to help her get started.

Lenders to Syndia (as of 2/2012):

Spangler, C. (re-loan)
Bustos, S. (re-loan)
Rowland, P. & P. (re-loan)
Doan, T. (re-loan)
Adams, S. & K. (re-loan)
Leonard, G. (re-loan)
Burgess, A. & B. (re-loan)
Safran, C. (re-loan)
Parr, S. (re-loan)
Parr, M. (re-loan)

Total loan to Syndia: $1000
amount of loan to Syndia collected to date: $900
amount still needed: $100

If you have not already made a loan and would like to be part of this one to Syndia, please contact us at cuscogracias@gmail.com.

Thanks!
Rick and Jen Mayes

Loan #13: Gwen Marilin Mayhuiri Valencia

2011-07-30T16:56:00.039-04:00

Gwendy with several of her students

We are extending the 13th CuscoGracias loan to Gwen Marilin Mayhuiri Valencia. "Miss Gwendy" is a second grade teacher at the school where our boys attended when we lived in Cusco. We got to know her and found her very friendly, organized, and hard-working. She has asked for loan to be able to help her pay for graduate school. She would like to become an elementary school principal one day.

Lenders to Gwendy (as of 2/2012):
(Gwendy has paid back the loan of those people in bold and italics, below)

Revell, B. & M. (re-loan)
Palhomous, A. (re-loan)
Revell, R. (re-loan)
Parr, S. (re-loan)
Dickman, E. (re-loan)
Stoker, C. (re-loan)
Fuchs, J. (re-loan)
Mayes, D. & E. (re-loan)
Bobowski, A. (re-loan)
Manglitz, A. (re-loan)
Zeigler, A.
Cooper, B. (re-loan)
Rowland, P. & P. (re-loan)

Total loan to Gwendy: $1000
amount of loan to Gwendy collected to date: $1000
amount still needed: $0

(Gwendy is now paying back the loan at $100/month.
We will contact you when she has paid back your loan, above,
and you can decide to re-loan or get your money back.)

Loan #12: Norka Luza Mellado

2011-03-07T21:10:00.032-05:00

We are excited to introduce the recipient of the 12th CuscoGracias loan, Norka Luza Mellado. As can be seen in the photo above, Norka owns a pottery shop. She does all of the design and production herself, and her products are beautiful and very popular. In fact, we use some of her mugs for coffee every morning! She has asked for the loan to help her pay for some of the expenses associated with opening a second shop.

Lenders to Norka (as of 2/2012):
(Norka has paid back the loan from those people below in bold and italics.)

Burgess, B. & A. (re-loan)
Safran, C. (re-loan)
Birk, S./ Jibaja, I. (re-loan)
Mauney, M. & T. (re-loan)
Bissett, K. & S. (re-loan)
University of Richmond 2010 Cusco May Term Students (re-loan)

Bagwell, C. & Hicks, D. (re-loan)

Pham, M. (re-loan)

Pham, Mel. (re-loan)
Parr, M. (re-loan)

Marcin, L. (re-loan)

Tinsley, M. (re-loan)

Trainer, M. (re-loan)
Ward, C. & A. (re-loan)
South, J. (re-loan)
Broyles, R. (re-loan)

Total loan to Norka: $1000
amount of loan to Norka collected to date: $1000
amount still needed: $0

(Norka is now beginning to pay back the loan at $100/month.
We will contact you when she has paid back your loan, above,

and you can decide to re-loan or get your money back.)

Loan #11: Segundina ("Dina") Cochan Achahui

2010-11-08T12:53:00.045-05:00

Dina

We are excited to provide our 11th loan to Dina, who works on the housekeeping staff at Inkarri, a small hotel in Cusco. We admired Dina's hard work from afar before getting to know her personally, and are glad to provide her a loan. She wants to start a small business making purses. She showed us several of the ones she has made (see photo below) in various colors and designs. They are very popular with tourists who visit Peru. Dina will use the loan to buy the supplies she needs to make and sell more purses while continuing to work at the hotel.

Lenders to Dina (as of 2/2012):
(Dina has paid back the loan from those people in bold and italics below)

Mauney, M. & T. (re-loan)
Bissett, K. & S. (re-loan)
University of Richmond Cusco May Term Students (re-loan)
Revell, B. & M. (re-loan)
Palhomous, A. (re-loan)
Revell, R. (re-loan)
Parr, M. (re-loan)
Richards, S. (re-loan)
Manak, C. (re-loan)
Manak, M. (re-loan)
Marsh Family (re-loan)
Vincelli, D. (re-loan)
DeLaine, B. (re-loan)
Sager-Gellerman, G. (re-loan)

Total loan to Dina: $1000
amount of loan to Dina collected to date: $1000
amount still needed: $0

LOAN COMPLETE -- Dina is now paying back the loan!

(Dina is paying back the loan at $100/month. We will

contact you when she has paid back your loan, above,

and you can decide to re-loan or get your money back.)

Thanks!
Rick and Jen Mayes

Loan #10: Luz Marina Espinoza Becerra -- As of December 2011, Luz Marina has fully paid back her loan!

2010-09-12T02:54:00.052-04:00

Luz Marina

Luz Marina is a cook at a local restaurant in Cusco. She is 33-years-old, married, and has two children, ages 7 and 2. She has asked for a loan to start a food stand in a local market (see picture below, which would allow her the opportunity to make some extra money for her family. Like many people in Peru, she is a hard worker, but has little chance to ever save money or make more than she needs for her family's survival/well-being.

a stand in a local Peruvian "mercado" (market)

Lenders to Luz Marina
(loan repayment complete -- 12/2011)

University of Richmond Cusco May Term Students (re-loan)
Burgess, A. & B. (re-loan)
Vincelli, D. (re-loan)
Sager-Gellerman, G. (re-loan)
DeLaine, B. (re-loan)
Tinsley, M. (re-loan)
Marcin, L. (re-loan)
Bagwell, C./Hicks, D. (re-loan)
Trainer, M. (re-loan)
Ward, C. & A. (re-loan)
Broyles, R. (re-loan)
Dickman, E. (re-loan)
South, J. (re-loan)
Parr, S. (re-loan)
Stoker, C. (re-loan)
Fuchs, J. (re-loan)
Mayes, T. (re-loan)
Doan, T. (re-loan)
Adams, K. & S. (re-loan)
Leonard, G. (re-loan)

Total loan to Luz Marina: $1000
amount of loan to Luz Marina collected to date: $1000

LOAN REPAYMENT COMPLETE!

Loan #9: Felipa Candia Auccaillo -- As of July 2011, Felipa has fully paid back her loan!

2010-06-24T12:22:00.040-04:00

Felipa

One of our best friends in Cusco, Fania, asked us if we would consider giving a loan to her mother, Felipa. We had the chance to meet and talk with Felipa while we were there, and we were very excited to hear about her plans. She and her husband (pictured below) live in a small town called Rondocan about 2 hours drive from Cusco. Felipa would like to open a small store that sells groceries. (This is very common in Peru. The stores tend to be a small room stocked with basic groceries, attached to someone's house, and accessible from the street. See photo below.)

Lenders to Felipa
(loan repayment completed 6/2011):

University of Richmond Cusco May Term Students
Broyles, R. (re-loan)
Adams, K. & S. (re-loan)
Leonard, G. (re-loan)
Meyers, K./ Bissett, S. (re-loan)
Revell, B. & M. (re-loan)
Palhomous, A. (re-loan)
Revell, R. (re-loan)
Mayes, B. & E. (re-loan)
Croak, M. (re-loan)
Manglitz, A. (re-loan)
Rowland, P. & P. (re-loan)
Safran, C. (re-loan)
Birk, S./ Jibaja, I. (re-loan)
The Marsh Family (re-loan)
Pham, M. (re-loan)
Pham, Mel. (re-loan)

Total loan to Felipa: $1000
amount of loan to Felipa collected to date: $1000
amount still needed: $0

LOAN REPAYMENT COMPLETE!

Felipa with Fania and her husband, Evaristo

example of a small one-room store

Loan #8: Marleni Huamandalla Huamanccari -- As of July 2011, Marleni has fully paid back her loan!

2010-06-04T14:00:00.036-04:00

Marleni

Marleni has requested a loan, with her husband, to purchase a used car to use as a taxi. In Cusco, tourism and taxis are a huge part of the economy and the main source of income for many people. Marleni is the cousin of Yesica, who has just completed paying back her loan (#3 below). She and her husband are extremely grateful for this opportunity to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions.

Lenders to Marleni
(loan repayment completed 6/2011):

DeLaine, B. (re-loan)
South, J. (re-loan)
Stoker, C. (re-loan)
Parr, M. (re-loan)
Richards, S. (re-loan)
Manak, C. (re-loan)
Manak, M. (re-loan)
Cooper, B. (re-loan)
Spangler, C. (re-loan)

Rowland, P. & P. (re-loan)

Mayes, D. & E. (re-loan)

Total loan to Marleni: $1000
amount of loan to Marleni collected to date: $1000
amount still needed: $0

LOAN REPAYMENT COMPLETE!

Marleni with her cousin, Yesica, standing behind her

Loan #7: Angela "Milagros" Esquivel Sequeiros-- As of March 2011, Milagros has fully paid back her loan!

2010-02-15T13:29:00.046-05:00

Milagros with Ben at Promesa, the school where she taught and he attended

Like many people in the Cusco area, Milagros and her family were devastated by the flooding that occurred there in February. Her father, an architect, lost all of his jobs and no longer had an income during that period. Milagros had been planning to attend University, due to start in March, but learned that her parents would not be able to help her financially, as they had planned, and so she could not go. We heard about this and offered her a loan. She was one of Ben's teachers at Promesa, where he and Tim attended school while we lived in Cusco. She was also the greeter at the school, so we had the chance to get to know her as we dropped off and picked up the boys each day from school. She is kind and hard-working and very grateful for this help.

Lenders to Milagros
(loan repayment completed 3/2011):

Leonard, G. (re-loan)
Rowland, P. &. P. (re-loan)
Manglitz, A. (re-loan)
Safran, C. (re-loan)
Sager-Gellerman, G. (re-loan)
Ward, C. & A. (reloan)
Mauney, M. & T. (re-loan)

Parr, M. (re-loan)

Total loan to Milagros: $500
amount of loan to Milagros collected to date: $500
amount still needed: $0

LOAN PAYMENT COMPLETE!

Loan #6: Edilberto Miranda Bellota -- As of February, 2011, Edilberto has fully paid back his loan!

2010-01-10T11:30:00.051-05:00

Edilberto

Edilberto works as a taxi driver. His nickname amongst his family and friends is "el alcalde" ("mayor" in Spanish) because he is so popular and well-known in his local community, San Jerónimo, just outside of Cusco. The smile you see in this picture is the one he wears on his face constantly. He has had some health issues with his stomach and had surgery twice over the past two years, which affected his ability to earn a living for a while. He would like a $1000 loan to help pay for health care costs, which he will pay back at $100 a month; he is driving his taxi again. This is our second medical loan (the first was to Marcelino for his little girl, below).

Lenders to Edilberto and his loan repayment (completed 2/2011):
(Edilberto has paid back his loan from those people in bold and italic below)

Manak, M. (re-loan)
Manak, C. (re-loan)
Stoker, C. (re-loan)
Broyles, R. (re-loan)
Mayes, D. & E. (re-loan)
Mayes, B. & E. (re-loan)
Rowland, P. & P. (re-loan)
Pham, M. (re-loan)
Pham, Mel. (re-loan)
Bustos, S.
Vincelli, D. (re-loan)
Dickman, E. (re-loan)
Trainer, M. (re-loan)
Bobowski, A. (re-loan)
Parr, S. (re-loan)
Fuchs, J. (re-loan)
Mayes, T.
Doan, T.

Total loan to Edilberto: $1000
amount of loan to Edilberto collected to date: $1000
amount still needed: $0

LOAN REPAYMENT COMPLETE!

Edilberto with our son, Ben and his wife, Nelly

Loan #5: Guadalupe ("Lupe") Cusi Concha -- As of December, 2010, Lupe has fully paid back her loan!

2009-12-02T15:52:00.027-05:00

Lupe

Lupe worked part-time in our home all of last year while we lived in Cusco. She came 2 days a week for 5 hours and helped us with anything and everything, from assisting us in getting acclimated to the new country and culture in the beginning -- and trying to understand our less-than-impressive Spanish! -- to cleaning, washing, and cooking. She is an extremely hard worker and a wonderful person. She would like a $1000 loan to start a jewelry and clothing business.

Lenders to Lupe and her loan repayment:
(Lupe has paid back loan from those people in bold and italic below)

Dickman, E. (re-loan)
Ward, C. & A. (re-loan)
Fuchs, J. (re-loan)
South, J. (re-loan)
Cooper, B. (re-loan)
Richards, S. (re-loan)
Meyers, K./ Bissett, S. (re-loan)
Adams, K. & S. (re-loan)
Spangler, C.
Revell, B. & M.
Palhomous, A.
Revell, R.
Croak, M. (re-loan)
Birk, S./ Jibaja, I. (re-loan)
Marsh Family (re-loan)
Burgess, A. & B. (re-loan)
Tinsley, M. (re-loan)
Marcin, L. (re-loan)
Bagwell, C./Hicks, D. (re-loan)

Total loan to Lupe: $1000
amount loaned to Lupe to date: $1000
amount still needed: $0

LOAN REPAYMENT COMPLETE!

Lupe and her son, Farik, with our family

Loan # 4: Padraza Polomino Marcelino -- As of June, 2010, Marcelino has fully paid back his loan!

2009-11-08T08:05:00.012-05:00

Padraza Polomino Marcelino

"Marcelino" works at Jack's cafe' in Cusco (as does his wife), and is our first medical/health loan recipient. He and his wife have a one-year-old little boy who suffers from pediatric hip dysplasia. He requested a loan to pay for immediate medical care for their son. We are loaning him $1000, and they will be paying this off at $100/month.

Lenders to Marcelino and his loan repayment:
(Marcelino has paid back all lenders -- in bold and italics below)

Rowland, P. & P. (also part of the loan to Yesica)
Bobowski, A. (re-loan)
Vincelli, D. (re-loan)
Parr, S. (re-loan)
Parr, M.
DeLaine, B.
Cooper, J. & Cole, L.

Total loan to Marcelino: $1000
amount Marcelino has paid back to lenders: $1000

LOAN REPAYMENT COMPLETE!

Loan # 3: Yesica Huamanccari Atan -- As of June, 2010, Yesica has fully paid back her loan!

2009-09-30T10:13:00.015-04:00

Yesica Huamanccari Atan

Yesica works at Jack's, our favorite restaurant in Cusco, and is a cheerful, hard-working person. We got to know her during our time there. She requested a loan in order to start a small business on the side, using her sewing skills to make clothing. We have loaned her $1000, and she will be paying this off at $100/month.

Lenders to Yesica & her loan repayment:

(Yesica has paid back all lenders -- in bold and italics below)

South, J.
Cooper, B.
Hester, B. & M.K. (re-loan)
Rowland, P. & P.

Total loan to Yesica: $1000
amount Yesica has paid back to lenders: $1000

LOAN REPAYMENT COMPLETE!

Loan #2: Abrahan Teran Gutierrez -- as of May, 2010, Abrahan has fully paid back his loan!

2009-07-16T14:20:00.013-04:00

Abrahan Teran Gutierrez

Abrahan is the husband of Lupe, who worked in our home 2 days-a-week last year while we lived in Cusco. Their son, Farik, was one of our boys, Tim and Ben's, best friends, so we had the chance to get to know them well. They work very hard, but like so many people in Cusco, they do not have opportunities to earn much money. As a result, Abrahan, a taxi driver, drives an old car that is run-down and has had a lot of issues. He spends 10+ hours a day in it, working, so you can imagine how excited he is to receive this interest-free loan to buy a new (to him -- it will be used) car.

Lenders to Abrahan & his loan repayment

(Abrahan has paid back all of his lenders, in bold and italics below)

Hester, B. & M.K.
Meyers, K./ Bissett, S.
Birk, S./ Jibaja, I.
Fuchs, J.
Marsh Family (re-loan)
Croak, M. (re-loan)
Tinsley, M. (re-loan)
Marcin, L. (re-loan)
Bagwell, C./Hicks, D. (re-loan)
Broyles, R.
Leonard, G. (re-loan)
Mayes, B. & E. (re-loan)
Anonymous

Total loan to Abrahan: $1500
amount Abrahan has paid back to lenders: $1500

LOAN REPAYMENT COMPLETE!

(Abrahan introducing himself and thanking those people willing to support his loan)

Loan #1: Marco Antonio Espinoza Huamani -- As of April, 2010, Marco has fully paid back his loan!

2009-05-21T07:49:00.023-04:00

Marco Antonio Espinoza Huamani

Marco is a taxi driver and drove our boys to and from school each day last year while we lived in Cusco. At the time at which we offered him this loan, last June, he was working 13 hours a day, 7 days a week, earning up to 80 Soles a day (equivalent to about $25 -- on a good day). He was unable to keep up with the loan payments that he owed the bank, which was collecting interest at a high rate. This loan from lenders to CuscoGracias allowed him to pay this money back to the bank immediately and he has now paid back his lenders (below) at no interest and a much more manageable pace. He tells us that his life was MUCH less stressful as a result.

He and his wife have a 1-year-old daughter and they all live with his mother and 4 younger siblings, for whom he has become their surrogate father. His/their father died 3 years ago. He gives a large portion of his salary to his mother and siblings.

Thank you to all of you who were part of this loan to Marco!

Lenders to Marco & his loan repayment:

(Marco has paid back all lenders -- in bold and italics below)

Tinsley, M.
Marcin, L.
Bagwell, C./Hicks, D.
Marsh Family
Safran, C.
Croak, M.
Leonard, G.
Mayes, B.&E.

Bobowski, A.
Vincelli, D.
Parr, S.
Richards, S.
Dickman, E.
Adams, K.&S.
Ward, C.&A.
Burgess, B.&A.
Manak, M.
Manak, C.

Stoker, C.
Mayes, D.&E.
Pham, M.
Pham, Mel.

Manglitz, A.
Trainer, M.
Sager-Gellerman, G.
Mauney, M. & T.

Total loan to Marco: $1500
amount Marco has paid back to lenders: $1500

LOAN REPAYMENT COMPLETE!

Marco with his wife and daughter

Marco with his daughter, Tim, and Ben