COLOMBIA

During times of civil unrest in developing countries, the most vulnerable among us can become the most exploited. As a current and devastating example, the Colombian government estimates that there are presently more than 7,000 child soldiers in the ranks of Colombian guerillas and paramilitaries. Furthermore, young girls are recruited and forced into prostitution and human trafficking. For many families, the only option is to give over their children or be killed.

This reality was very present in the life of Umberto Castillo of Colombia. A father of seven children all under the age of 13, Umberto was forced to leave his home in the countryside of Santander when guerrillas came to his area to seek new recruits. Their demand was clear-cut: they wanted his sons to join. In the face of this danger, Umberto's family urgently packed as many of their belongings as they could and moved to Bogota.

Once in Bogota, to get his family back on their feet, Umberto join the "Mi Primer Proyecto" Trust Group and took out an Opportunity loan of 200,000 Colombian pesos ($85). He used this loan to invest in his "envuelto" business.  Envueltos are a national dish in which a paste of butter, corn and flour are packed into the leaves of corn. Umberto and his wife, Maria, sell envueltos in the street for 10 cents each. While this may appear to be a small sum, this cost actually represents a mark-up of almost 100%. For Umberto and Maria, this profit enables their family to survive.

Umberto has an excellent reputation with his Trust Group. According to his Loan Officer, Leonardo, Umberto makes all his payments on time and in full and is a source of encouragement for other members of the Group. While none of his children are currently able to attend school, Umberto is working toward saving enough money to send them. He remains grateful for the training he has received and the friends he has made. "When our young family arrived in this city," he says, "we knew no one and could trust no one. Now we have friends at every corner."

This remarkable story of courage shows the strength of an incredible father. He is able to support himself and others, and has built his life into a true success story."