Chile

Our monthly photo series highlights the beauty and emotion in the lives of our clients around the world.

For over 50 years, TechnoServe has helped hardworking women and men in the developing world gain the skills, connections, and confidence to create self-sustaining businesses and build a path out of poverty. In part three of this series, we ask a few of these farmers and entrepreneurs to share how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their lives and how they are coping with its effects.

In Chile, the coronavirus pandemic is threatening the survival of many micro and small businesses. We talked to Corina Rivas, TechnoServe’s Chile country director, about the “very hard” situation on the ground, and how TechnoServe is helping entrepreneurs “reset” their businesses to survive.

To spur corporate investment in small and growing business (SGB) growth, TechnoServe has partnered with the Argidius Foundation to launch the Catalyzing SGB Acceleration (CaSA) Initiative.

After a devastating flood forced Daria Arabulo to start a new life in a different country, she launched her own business as a way to provide for her family. After participating in one of TechnoServe’s entrepreneurial training programs, her business has continued to grow.

Entrepreneurs learn the tools necessary to elevate their business and community.

Jessica Vargas started Le Blanc laundry services with a single washer and dryer. Now, her business has more than doubled, providing key services and employment to her community.

Cesar and Priscilla Díaz have launched a successful catering business in a small town in Chile with the help of the EMERGE program, an Anglo American-TechnoServe collaboration.

After expanding his catering and events planning business, a Chilean entrepreneur is able to realize a lifelong dream.

Anglo American’s Christian Spano discusses the mining company’s development strategy and its successful partnership with TechnoServe on entrepreneurship programs.