Operation Blessing helped Elsa reopen her store to help make ends meet.

GUATEMALA – In a matter of months, Elsa lost everything she knew and loved.

A tropical storm destroyed her home, forcing Elsa, her husband and their seven childen to take what little they could salvage and move to a new place. In hopes of a better future, Elsa opened a small store to make ends meet.

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But then her husband became sick and all of their income was needed for medicine and treatment. Tragically, he passed away, and in the midst of it all, Elsa lost her little store and the income she so desperately needed now that she was a widowed mother of seven.

Elsa’s oldest son works hard to provide for his six younger siblings and help support his mom, but with a wage of $5 a day, it just isn’t enough.

“I like to help my mom with the store,” said Dina, 12. “I learn the prices by memory to help our customers.”

Then Operation Blessing offered Elsa an unexpected blessing—the supplies she needed to open her store again.

Now, Elsa is back in business selling small necessity items along with snacks and sodas in her community, and earning enough income to make ends meet and provide for her children. And because her store is right near home, Elsa can be there to take care of her littlest ones.

Twelve-year-old Dina is excited about the new store. “I like to help my mom with the store,” she said. “I learn the prices by memory to help our customers.”

In addition to helping Elsa with her store, Operation Blessing also gave each child a much-needed pair of brand new shoes.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

This microenterprise venture is one of many Operation Blessing projects touching lives around the world. You can be a part of improving the quality of life for impoverished communities by supporting these and other life-changing programs.

 

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