Teachers know the difficulties that children face and help them build a better future. Almeyda Gómez, a principal and 7th grade teacher, almost never made it past grammar school herself. But with her mother's support Almeyda finished high school with honors, receiving a work-study scholarship to Fundaec's University. Her internship at a Fundaec-Ruhi Foundation school became a full-time job after graduation. "I thank God for this opportunity," she says. "I once wanted to go to the big city to make it big. My priorities have changed; what I want is to help my students shine."

Almeyda's 20 students are indeed bright lights in a dark world. They describe the school's spirit of unity, respect and friendliness. "I like how everybody gets treated fairly," says one boy. "I appreciate the discipline," a girl adds, "it helps us prepare for adult life." Another boy comments, "once when I didn't bring lunch to school, some classmates shared with me-this doesn't happen in other schools."

High in the Honduran mountains, Mauricio A. gets up at dawn and watches the sunrise paint the sky. He walks out into the mist that blankets his small coffee plot and marvels at how his life has changed in just two years.

Mauricio says, "I used to work without knowing the best way to cultivate coffee and without concentrating very hard. Funbanhcafé selected several of us to visit fellow small farmers who showed us their neatly tended plots. They were both beautiful to see and much more productive than mine. For the first time I realized I could be a much better coffee grower.

"I started going to training sessions offered by Funbanhcafé. I learned to make and use compost and to plant shade trees and other plants for soil erosion protection. I also learned to rotate crops - this enriches the soil and provides food for my family. Plus, I can sell extra produce to make money.

"At first it was hard. I had to leave my plot to attend classes. I stopped going to school after sixth grade. But I believed the sessions would be valuable. They were practical and theoretical, and it was easy to pick up techniques by practicing."

Sergio G. lives in Caracas. He and his wife, Carmela, made a meager living baking bread and cookies in their kitchen. Sergio would sell them from a pushcart in the streets of the city. They had little formal education and no business training. They did not know how to analyze all the costs involved in their business and in fact lost money because they sold their baked goods too cheaply.

Sergio says, "I signed up for some training courses which really helped me, especially the ones on Cost Analysis and Accounting. In one of the classes I met a woman who baked other products and wanted to buy an industrial oven. We decided to form a partnership because we sold different goods and we'd be better off if we worked together. A Microenterprise Advisor from FEM helped us prepare a business plan and credit application. Our plan was approved and we bought the oven and a refrigerator.

Francisco, his companion, Adela, and their two school-age daughters live in the Ciudad Bolívar slum of Bogotá, Colombia, infamous for its high levels of poverty and delinquent and violent acts by gangs and drug traffickers.  The family left their town to escape the armed conflict between the guerrilla, narco and paramilitary groups that battle for control in Colombia’s countryside.

Shortly after arriving in Bogotá, Francisco was diagnosed with tuberculosis.  A charitable organization offered him free medical care in another city and Francisco had to leave his family.  Adela remained behind as household head but could only find sporadic work such as caring for neighbors’ children.  The family lived in precarious conditions as vagrants, and the daughters didn’t attend classes due to the many moves.

When Francisco learned of his family’s unsafe living conditions he contacted Servivienda for assistance.  The family’s lot is adjacent to a steep ravine, which required additional efforts to ensure safe construction.  The family gladly participated in the construction with Servivienda’s technicians, helping put up the frame, walls and doors.   They divided the house into two rooms, offering more appropriate separate sleeping quarters for the couple and the daughters.  The home can be expanded as the their financial situation improves.

Francisco’s health is better and he has returned home.  Thanks to the stability of an established home, the daughters are attending school.  With more secure living conditions, the family is working hard to create a better future for themselves.