Changed Lives:
Pictures of Hope

Ana's Story

Circumstances Create Need for New Business

Hard Beginnings

Ana Ravanal was used to hardship. She'd moved from her hometown of Melipilla to Santiago when she was 20 along with her husband and family, as there were no opportunities in the small village where she'd grown up. Even with no education, Ana was convinced the larger city had more to offer her young family.

Shortly after arriving in Santiago, however, Ana was widowed. Thrust suddenly into the role of family provider, Ana didn't waver. She held onto the hope which had brought her to Santiago, and felt strong enough to face any test life might throw at her.

Dashed Hopes

Ana began working in restaurants as an assistant cook where she was able to learn a great deal about the food service industry. Her abilities transformed her into a talented cook, and she easily found employment at several different companies. By the time she was 30, Ana had done so well that she decided to leave her job to start her own business. For many years, Ana’s business did well and she won several bids to run cafeterias for private companies and public institutions.

But in 1996, Ana lost her business. The poor economy and competition from large food service companies forced her into bankruptcy. Ana found herself unemployed, in debt, and without any money. She endured two very difficult years, looking for jobs but not finding anyone willing to hire someone her age.

A New Start

Finally Ana came to the conclusion that she should start her own business once again. She began by selling food door to door. The downtown location of her home made it convenient for selling to local business offices. She marketed her business by distributing flyers, offering her services. The first day she had five orders. The second day she had six. By the end of her first month, Ana had one hundred orders each day.

At 53, Ana still maintained the strength she had as a young woman. Her door-to-door business was going smoothly, but Ana wanted to make expansions. She believed that with a bit of capital, she could grow her sales.

Ana went from bank to bank, but was turned away one time after another due to her poor credit report. She also lacked income to guarantee the repayment of a loan. She was caught in a vicious circle.

A Loan Made the Difference

Ana learned about microloans from a friend. She contacted one of World Vision’s microfinance institutions to present her project. After her case was reviewed, she was granted a loan for US$1,200.

"The people were extremely kind to me. Going to a bank or financial institution was terrible -- the proceedings and paperwork were endless, and useless because they were never going to lend me the money. At World Vision’s lending institution, I was treated like a person, like a human being. I would have never gotten that money otherwise. Everything I can say to express my gratitude is too little because the chance I was given was unique.

"Just imagine, when would a person like me have gotten that money? Never! They trusted me, and thanks to that support, I have a business and I can give work to five persons more. Without that loan, I would still be at home, delivering food door to door." Ana is thankful for the new life she's carved out for herself with the economic support she received.

With money from the loan, Ana bought tables and chairs, converted the building into a restaurant, and paid one-month's rent. Even though repayment was challenging, World Vision was willing to work with her. As a result, Ana managed to pay back the full amount of her loan within six months.

A Healthy Business

Several months have gone by since Ana opened her business in a commercial gallery in downtown Santiago. Ana found that only junk food was available downtown, so she wanted to create a place where people could eat like they do at home. That’s why Ana prepares only authentic Chilean dishes. The food has a good, homemade quality and is reasonably priced ($3 U.S.). Her customers are faithful; they always come back and recommend her to their friends.

When she first opened her little restaurant, Ana had 20 customers. Now she serves around one hundred customers a day, and that number keeps growing. She hopes to apply for another loan in the near future to expand her business. At present, the dining area is limited; it holds 13 tables in two sections.

"This place is my pride. It is very small, but I feel proud of it because it is the result of all my efforts," Ana says. She feels a sense of personal satisfaction for all her achievements. She was able to find success on her own as a woman, with no assistance from a husband. Ana believes that being a woman is challenging in Chile because the culture is a very male-dominated one. According to Ana, in Chile, a woman must prove she is a capable person; a man does not have to.

Opening Doors for Others

With her success, Ana is opening doors as she creates opportunity for others. She believes helping women is her responsibility. Ana hires only women to work with her.

"We have to give opportunities to women. We have to support one another. I have five women who help me. One delivers food, two work in the kitchen, and two wait on tables. We are all friends -- there are no hierarchies here. There are no bosses and no employees, just the six of us, working as a team. We all strive to keep on going."

Ana is aware that society can be unfair, which is why she makes a great effort to create a work environment where trust and respect are essential. One of her employees is deaf and mute, and had little chance of finding a job. Ana recognized this, and hired the woman immediately. "Working with a person who is deaf and mute demands more dedication because you have to be like an actor to make yourself understood, but it is worth the while because you are helping to dignify a person."

Has Ana's success gone to her head? Not a chance. "I want to keep on working all my life so, in that way, I can respond to the people who work with me," Ana shares.

Ana says that she is deeply grateful for the help she received from World Vision’s microlending institution. She never thought that a loan could make such a difference, but it has. And Ana gives thanks to God for this assistance. She remembers praying time after time for a chance to make things better, and believes God answered her prayer when he provided her with a loan.