Microenterprise

Many families served by Operación San Andrés in Collique depend on income secured on a day-to-day basis, instead of reliable, long term employment. One goal of Operación San Andrés is to facilitate the formation of microenterprises to provide sustainable family income.
As an example, Operación San Andrés helped approximately 20 women form a bakery business. The women learned to bake a variety of alfajores (a Peruvian cookie) and empanadas, which they sell to the community. The project has been life-transforming for the women. For most, it has been their first opportunity to practice business skills such as budgeting and bookkeeping. Together, the women have reinvested their profits, opened bank accounts, created business plans, and elected leadership. They have also developed important personal skills by meeting and learning cooperatively.
Collique Cuffs is another microenterprise facilitated by Operación San Andrés. Five women work together to make cuff-style bracelets from recycled leather belts. The bracelets are sold online to customers mainly in the U.S., and the artisans earn a fair wage for their labor. Excess profits support projects associated with our Women's Health and Safety initiative.
We are eager to help other residents of Collique form microenterprises so they can enjoy the security of a steady income.