Changed Lives: Pictures of Hope

Stories of women whose lives have been changed by microloans

Loans Enable Women to Provide for Their Families

In 1999, Ninfa Batalla’s life took a turn she could never have imagined. Her husband was shot dead in a street fight, and she was left on her own, pregnant with her seventh child, to care for her family. "When I heard my husband had been killed, I could not believe it. But I did not have time to cry, for I had to think about how I was going to handle this situation on my own." Click here to read Ninfa's story.

Circumstances Create Need for New Business

Marilene used to work at home and look after the children, until her husband lost his job. A microloan from World Vision gave her family a new start as Marilene set up shop selling spices. Click here to read Marilene's story.

Growing up in a poor village, Ana Ravanal was used to hardship. So when she was suddenly widowed at a young age, she didn't waver. Ana held onto the hope which had brought her to Santiago, and felt strong enough to face any test life might throw at her. Click here to read Ana's story.

Increased Financial Security Helps One Woman Find Her Voice

Onkemetse Tlhako spent most of her life living in a little hut with a husband who couldn’t provide for her family and was never home. She earned meager wages as a housecleaner and had no say in how her household was run. With her new bakery business, Onkemetse has found her voice, and it has turned her life around. Click here to read Onkemetse's story.

Enhanced Business Skills Open Doors for New Opportunities

It was becoming difficult for Sonia Jose da Silva to make ends meet. But with the specialized training she received with her microloan, Sonia has been able to expand her beauty parlor business by 50 percent. Click here to read Sonia's story.

Business Expansion Results in Additional Jobs

Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, Lida Sarkisyan earned a good living as a teacher in Armenia. Before long, the necessities of life cost more than she could afford and she was forced to quit. With children and grandchildren depending on her, Lida poured all her hopes and her savings into a sewing studio. But could she make it work? Click here to read Lida's story.

Better Equipment Brings Better Sales

Adriana Nascimento sells hot dogs from a cart on the streets of Brazil with the help of her mother, Irailda. A microloan enabled her to purchase the better equipment she needed to be successful. Click here to read Adriana's story.