Damaris’s Story: Breaking The Cycle Of Poverty Through Entrepreneurship

Damaris Ochoa López, a 44-year- old single mother from Matagalpa, Nicaragua, has experienced a profound transformation in her life. As a mother of five, she faced immense challenges, working tirelessly as a day laborer to provide for her family. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and the transformative power of opportunity.

A LIFE OF STRUGGLE

Damaris’s journey began in hardship. At just 9 years old, her parents migrated to Matagalpa in search of better opportunities. From a young age, she joined her mother as a day laborer in the fields which made it difficult for her to attend school. Damaris reached only the second year of secondary school before leaving to work full-time.

She married young and life became more challenging when the father of her children left a decade ago. As a single mother, she struggled to make ends meet, earning less than $1 per day. Her income from day labor and renting land for corn and bean cultivation wasn’t sufficient to feed her children. She didn’t even have basic services like reliable water or electricity.

Living in a room made of rough wood and a roof of leaves, Damaris’s family faced daily struggles. “I felt trapped in poverty, unable to provide my children with the future they deserved,” she recalls, her voice heavy with emotion. Her children’s education suffered as they too, had to earn what they could through labor in the fields.

THE TURNING POINT

But last year, Agros learned of Damaris’ plight. We recognized her strengths and determination and invited her to join our Harvest of Hope Center program in La Bendición. This marked a turning point in her life.

Damaris eagerly participated in agricultural activities and community initiatives, including a local savings group. She started upgrades to her housing, improving her family’s health and hygiene.

“I never imagined that I would have the opportunity to participate in a project of this nature,” Damaris reflects. “I am forever grateful to God for His constant guidance, for granting me strength, health, and the capacity to learn new things each and every day.”

NEW CHAPTER OF PROSPERITY

In December 2023, Damaris’s first planting plan yielded over 55,485 units of Nathalie chili peppers, surpassing all expectations. With a net profit of $2,665 from her first vegetable production cycle, she planted crops of cabbage and lettuce. Her newfound skills have empowered her to manage her crops effectively, leading to increased yields and income.

“Before joining Agros, I solely worked with basic grains and struggled with poor harvests and financial losses. Now that I have my own crop, I am generating better income at a faster rate, which is greatly benefiting me,” she shares. “This opportunity will allow me to pursue other endeavors. I have acquired a wealth of knowledge, and I am finally in a position to achieve my long-held dream of building a safe and healthy home.”

With newfound hope and motivation, Damaris dreams of finishing her home, buying additional land, and ensuring her children’s educational needs are met. She aspires to leave a legacy for her children — the titles to her home and farm land.

Damaris’s journey from extreme poverty to newfound prosperity is a testament to the power of opportunity, community support, and personal determination. Her story inspires others in her community, proving that with the right support and dedication, transformation is possible.

“I am deeply appreciative of Agros for providing me with this opportunity,” Damaris says. “I feel immensely supported by the instruction I have received in vegetable cultivation, the maya house, and the income that I will be able to generate for my household.”

Impact Testimony: Anibal Rayo Ochoa — Agros champion
in vegetable production

From Day Laborer to Aspiring Landowner: A Journey of Transformation with
Agros

Life Before Agros
Anibal Rayo Ochoa, 36, knows the meaning of struggle. The youngest of seven siblings,
Anibal’s childhood was marked by hardship after his father passed away when he was
only five. Raised by his mother, he grew up in a family where every hand was needed to
make ends meet. At 18, he began working as a day laborer on coffee plantations,
earning a mere 200 cordobas a day (less than US$6.00) — barely enough to survive.
Occasionally, he sought work in other parts of Nicaragua, always chasing a better
opportunity.

Anibal eventually found stability when he met and married Dalila Hernández 12 years
ago. Together, they built a life centered around their two daughters, Nielka (10) and
Sayani (6). The couple married both civilly and in the Church, and their faith has
remained a constant source of strength. For the past eight years, they have lived in El
Carmen 2 village, Matagalpa, Nicaragua, in a home that Anibal built with his own hands.
Made of zinc and wood, it has two small rooms, a living area, and a kitchen separated
from the main house. At first, they only had a latrine, but thanks to Agros’ support, they
now have two bathrooms with a proper toilet — a first for the Rayo family.

While Anibal owns a small half-acre plot where he grows coffee, his income was never
enough to meet his family’s needs. His work as a day laborer on coffee farms was
grueling, keeping him away from home for long hours. But Anibal’s determination to give
his family a better future never wavered.

The Decision to Join Agros
In October 2023, opportunity knocked on Anibal’s door — literally. Agros representatives
visited his home, as part of an initiative to meet with local farmers. When they shared
their mission of supporting farmers with technical assistance, crop diversification, and
financial tools, Anibal saw a chance to rewrite his story.

He was particularly drawn to the opportunity to receive training and support in vegetable
production — a field he had little experience in but saw as a pathway to economic
stability. “I’ve always wanted to try something new,” he said. “I thought this was my
chance, and I decided to give it a go.”

The Transformation Begins
With the guidance of Agros’ technical advisors, Anibal began cultivating Nathalie chili
peppers in a mesh-protected plot. This method offered better crop protection and
increased production capacity. His journey into vegetable farming wasn’t without
challenges, but Anibal leaned on his faith and perseverance.

“Nathalie chili peppers are something new for me, but I’ve felt good, thank God. Every
job is challenging at first, but one can adapt,” he shares. “Although there are times when
it’s tough, it’s less strenuous than my previous work, and the profits are better.”

Aníbal has exceeded all expectations with his farming results. Originally, the goal for his
Nathalie chili pepper crop was set at 56,000 units. However, through his hard work,
dedication, and the support of Agros’ technical assistance, he achieved an impressive
yield of 245,911 units — more than four times the initial target.

Aníbal’s success goes beyond surpassing production goals; it also reflects significant
financial growth and stability for his family. Over a period of just 9 months, his efforts in
cultivating vegetables have generated a total of $18,749 in sales. From this amount, he
secured $5,641 as working capital and cash advances, allowing him to reinvest in his
crops and household needs. His net income reached $13,108, providing his family with
a daily income of $12.13 per person per day — a substantial improvement compared
to his previous earnings as a day laborer. By adopting 100% of the basic production
practices taught through Agros’ training, Aníbal has not only elevated his farming skills
but also created a more secure and sustainable livelihood for his family.

A New Way of Life
Joining Agros not only changed Anibal’s work but also his family life. No longer does he
have to endure long hours of back-breaking work away from his family. Now, he works
closer to home, and his wife, Dalila, often joins him in the field, especially during
planting. Their bond has grown stronger as they work toward their shared dream of
prosperity.

“Now, I can come home every day after work,” Anibal says with a smile. For his wife,
this change has been transformative, too. She appreciates being involved in the
program, and the family’s well-being has improved significantly.
In addition to financial support, Agros has provided infrastructure improvements. For the
first time, the Rayo family has access to modern sanitation facilities. They no longer rely
on a latrine but have two functioning bathrooms, complete with toilets. This upgrade has
brought dignity, safety, and improved hygiene for his two daughters and the entire
family.

Dreams for the Future
Anibal’s dreams are rooted in hope and perseverance. He dreams of building a better
home for his family. “Our dream is to improve our house with better conditions, to make
it out of quarry stone and concrete,” he says. While his current house of zinc and wood
has served them for years, he aspires to offer his daughters a stronger, more
permanent shelter.

But his ambitions don’t end there. Anibal hopes to buy a larger plot of land, one where
he can expand his farming activities. With the income from his vegetable production, he
sees this dream as increasingly within reach.

“I trust that we will achieve this dream soon,” he says with quiet determination.

Faith and Gratitude
Anibal and Dalila’s faith is the foundation of their life together. As active members of
their church, they pray regularly, asking God to guide their journey and bless their
family. “May He guide us, and may His will be done,” Anibal says. His prayers have
been answered in many ways, from the health and happiness of his daughters to the
support he has received from Agros.

He is deeply grateful for the impact that Agros and its donors have had on his life. “I
thank God first, who always comes first, and also Agros International and the donors.
This project is a blessing for each one of us,” he shares with heartfelt sincerity.

A Story of Hope and Transformation
Anibal Rayo’s journey with Agros is a testament to the power of opportunity and
perseverance. From the struggles of growing up as the youngest of seven children to
the harsh realities of working as a coffee plantation laborer, his story is one of resilience,
faith, and the pursuit of a better future.

He dreams of handing down something far more valuable to his children: a home built
with love, a farm that sustains them, and a future filled with faith, dignity, and
prosperity.