Day 21

For the first time since I've been here I just kind of wanted to be home today. Not that I haven't enjoyed it, but I miss home. But that made me realize I don't really have a home so I got over it. This picture is of Jose Maravilla and his family. They have invited us over to their home for dinner a couple of times which has been fun. I asked him point blank tonight if he thinks we've had a positive impact while we've been here. I asked him to tell me his honest opinion and not to sugar coat it. He said that he really thinks we have been of service and we've helped a lot of people. He told us that both Jose Luis (cell phones) and Axel (oil & lubricants) are doing better because of our suggestions and are excited to keep going with the things we are teaching. He and his wife have decided to run their store themselves to see if they can stop the bleeding and he said that it was because of our help. I know there are others that have also benefitted so I feel good about the fact we seem to be making a difference. We do have one really big challenge that is still staring us in the face...Record Keeping.

We spent most of the morning brainstorming and talking about ideas how we can help the people here start keeping records of of their business dealings. It is a recurring weakness almost everyone has. They know how much their products cost, they know when they make a sale and how much they make, but they have no idea if the business is profitable at the end of the month. What happens is that they make a sale so they have money in their pocket and they need to buy food. So the money goes to food. It is all just mixed up together and aside from a record of sales, there is no such thing as real accounting. I was thinking that this really could be the competitive advantage that really could elevate these businesses above all the other ones just down the street. The people work hard, they have good ideas, but they have no idea what is happening with their numbers. This is the problem we have to solve. We came up with a plan where included with their loan payment is a monthly review of the records they have kept. Everyone comes into the office to pay their loan so I suggested that part of that process would be a review of what is going on in their business. These numbers could be entered in the computer and see what their gains and losses are. Maravilla agreed. The real chore is making it simple enough for the people to do it. I honestly think that if we can make this work, it will really be able to change the entire Cause for Hope program for the better. Game on!
Aside from the regular work we are doing, I have one remaining goal in this final week: eat iguana. Maybe I will be able to catch this one.