Part 2: The Next Generation Builds Upon a Solid Foundation | Yasquina Benjamin Sangles
Last month, we told you about how Jacobo Benjamin, an immigrant in a difficult situation, laid a foundation for his family’s success. Because of Jacobo’s diligent savings over the years, his daughter Yasquina became the first person from Batey Margarita to attend university. Since then, her two brothers and eight other young people from the community have followed her example. After earning her medical degree, she returned to her hometown.
Yasquina dreamt of opening a clinic to serve her community, but when she arrived home, she faced a difficult reality—without resources or connections, she had no way to launch her clinic.
“I knew Esperanza International through my parents, and I understood that they could support me with a loan,” she says. Yasquina took a loan of 5,000 pesos (less than $130) and opened a beauty salon, which quickly became a thriving business.
Yasquina began to save and pursue further medical training on the side. Eventually, an outside ministry heard about Yasquina’s dream and helped build the clinic building. With further loans from Esperanza, Yasquina bought equipment and made improvements on the new building.
When COVID–19 hit, and Yasquina’s salon shut down, she pivoted to a new venture—selling secondhand clothes online via social media.
Yasquina and Jacobo consider Esperanza to be part of their family’s legacy. Yasquina says: “I am a doctor and a businesswoman. It’s what my dad taught me. He didn’t have training or a job at first. But he showed me how to be a businesswoman. …In the future, I want for my children to understand—as I do—that Esperanza is a part of my life. And that it will be a part of their life, or already is a part of their life. … [In Spanish] Esperanza is ‘hope.’ That is the perfect name for that bank.”
By investing in one entrepreneur through HOPE’s programs around the world, you can have a lasting impact that reaches far beyond that one individual. If you would like to partner with us to help families find hope for the future, please reach out to Kirstin Dhlamini at kdhlamini@homes4hope.org.