Valerie came to MEDA 20 years ago looking for a job with a
microcredit program. She had an eighth grade education and a troubled
background of surviving in a ghetto with a young son of her own and
supporting a jobless husband and several other children. MEDA's managers
at the Caribbean island project saw potential and gave her a job. After
a slow start she grew into a new role as a credit officer.
When the program ended Valerie went to another anti-poverty agency.
One of her projects was to develop composting toilets in a "field
squatting" community.
A few years ago she contacted her former MEDA managers with great
news. She was studying in the northern U.S. and completing work on a
master's degree. She invited them to attend her graduation, which they
did.
Valerie returned to work for the agency that supported her studies.
Most of the children have grown up, married and have good jobs and
strong families. But she remains terrified of her former husband, who
has threatened her life.
Valerie achieved things she could not have dreamed of. Like many
clients, she turned things around completely thanks to MEDA's brief
intervention in her life.
