Albina’s Story

Albina is a hardworking 59-year-old woman from Tegucigalpa, Honduras who has a life-long passion for baking. Learning how to bake from her mother at the age of 15, she nurtured a dream of one day owning her own bakery business. Albina paid her dues by working long hours at a commercial bakery and then briefly ran her own bakery shop in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Then gangs discovered her business and threatened her unless she paid them their demanded extortion money. Not to be deterred, she and her husband fled Tegucigalpa and moved an hour away to the less-dangerous Moroceli community an hour east off Tegucigalpa. About a year ago, Albina met Josefina Santos, CareLink’s Honduras Country Director. After Josefina explained CareLink’s micro-finance business opportunities with Albina, she agreed to enroll in a 12-month bakery training and certification trade school. She then presented CareLink with her business plan and launch strategy.

CareLink provided a $900 micro-loan and business training, which enabled Albina to purchase the necessary bakery supplies, pans, and a commercial oven. She runs “Albina’s Bakery” from the front of her modest home.

Albina and her husband, Mario, have five children. Mario helps support the family with his taxi-driving job and is extremely supportive of Albina’s business. The extra income from Albina’s bakery provides school supplies, medical care, clean water, and improved nutrition for her family while providing high-quality baked goods for the Moroceli community.

Albina’s success story was made possible by a generous sponsorship from one of our faithful CareLink donors. Micro-finance capital is transforming families and empowering women in Honduras, helping them become independent and lifting them from years of poverty.