Rocío Ramírez Córdoba is a mother of three who lives in the town of Concepción Buenavista in Oaxaca, México.

Before she participated in a microenterprise program run by IMIFAP, one of The Resource Foundation’s affiliates in Mexico, Rocío's family struggled to live on the meager income her husband earned as a construction worker. Often, they did not have enough money for even the most basic needs.

Three years ago, Rocío participated in IMIFAP’s micro-enterprise workshops, “I Want To, I Can… Start My Own Business,” which helped her qualify for a $100 loan from a communal bank in her village. With that first loan, Rocío started a popsicle business selling iced treats in her community.

Since its humble beginnings, this small business has experienced amazing growth. Now, she makes nearly 200 popsicles each day and her household income has quadrupled -- increasing from $30 to $120 a week. With these gains, she was able expand her house from one room to three rooms. Before working with IMIFAP, Rocío could not afford to send her oldest daughter to secondary school, but thanks to her hard work and the success of her business, now she can afford to send her daughter to school.

Rocío’s increased confidence is as equally important as these financial gains. She feels that she can do anything she sets her mind to and that she is on an equal footing with her husband, Victor. She recently shocked him by getting a truck driver to teach her how to drive a car. She then bought a car, which she uses to transport her popsicles to schools, and now she has even taught her husband to drive the car.

The IMIFAP workshops also gave Rocío the skills she needed to become more involved in her community. She organized the village women to run a community kitchen, which prepares affordable meals for children. Now she feels so sure of herself, she even says that one day she would like to run for governor of Oaxaca.

Read other stories about the impact of projects supported by The Resource Foundation.