More Than Threads: How Juana Creates Opportunity and Community
From her home in the village of La Pista, Juana Raymundo is quietly transforming her family’s future – thread by thread. At 31 years old, she lives with her husband, Miguel Pérez, and their three children: Benjamín, Juan David, and little Marta Arelis. While the journey hasn’t been easy, Juana is building something steady through her skills, determination, and the support she has received.
She learned to weave at a young age, continuing a tradition passed down through generations. Today, with her own loom and her hands as her main tools, she creates products like blouses, scarves, and morrales—traditional woven bags popular in her region. Through WEP, she has accessed financial support to buy thread more consistently, without relying on high-interest loans.
In the past, she could only sell her products one at a time. Now, she’s able to sell by the dozen, reaching more people and earning a more stable income. As her production has grown, so has her ability to provide work for others—Juana no longer works alone. She now offers opportunities to others who help in her workshop, expanding the reach of her small business within the community.
Thanks to the training she’s received, she has also learned how to better manage her work and plan for the future. With part of her earnings, she invested in two cows, helping her diversify her income and support her household in new ways.
Although she still works from home, Juana dreams of opening her own clothing store—a space where she can display her products and welcome more customers. It’s a long-term goal, but she’s taking steady steps to get there.
With her loom as witness and her children as motivation, Juana weaves more than products—she weaves opportunity, perseverance, and community.