Borrower Spotlight: Josefa Ticum and Andres Velazquez | Guatemala
- Working Capital for Community Needs
- Nov 6
- 2 min read
Josefa and Andres are a married couple, both 44 years old, living in a rural community called Zaragoza in Tecpán, Guatemala.
For years, they worked harvests on other people’s farms in their community, paid by the hour and moving from field to field without knowing if there would be work the next day. It was a tough time for the family, and the income was unpredictable.
“Some days we made enough,” Andres remembers. “Other days, we earned nothing at all.”
Seeking stability, they decided to farm for themselves. In 2018, they rented a small plot and turned to ADICLA, a WCCN partner in Guatemala, for support. With their first $5,000 loan, they bought strawberry seeds, basic tools, and the inputs for their first planting. They began with one cuerda (about 350 square feet) and gradually expanded to four cuerdas. Now, they produce six boxes of strawberries each week, weighing 35 pounds each, and sell them through a local contact in their village.
During the busy harvest season, they also hire four additional workers from the community, all fellow locals seeking nearby work.
For Andres and Josefa, farming is deeply personal. They have four children. Three of them are living abroad, forced to migrate in search of opportunities. Andres and Josefa dream that one day, their work will grow enough to bring them back.
“We do this so our family can be together,” Josefa shares.
Their next goal is to become more self-sufficient. They want not only to produce strawberries but also to sell them directly. They envision a small, family-run business that keeps them grounded in their community and creates opportunities for others.
Andrés and Josefa’s story is a reminder that access to credit, tools, and land can open doors beyond economic growth.
Join us in supporting more smallholder farmers like Andres and Josefa by donating or investing with WCCN. Your support can make a real difference!
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