Rosalba Vargas
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Authors
Practical Action Bolivia
Issue Date
25/08/2017
Type
Language
en
Keywords
Economic Development
Alternative Title
Abstract
With a long and black braid hung over her right shoulder, Rosalba Vargas, 42 years, is a member and secretary of Acts of the Association of Entrepreneurial Women Tucupi. Concentrating on finishing the painting of the cocoa dryer, she talks about the projects and expectations of the business. AMET is the first association formed in the community, led by Carmen Apo and made up of 22 women of Tucupi. All work hard to finish the dryer with the support of the technicians of Practical Action, an institution that agreed to help with the construction. Rosalba is not only the secretary of Acts of the associations, but she is also the food technician. She is one of the main members of the organisation and works directly with the president. Rosalba is convinced that the association will serve to help not only the members, but also the families of them. It will lighten the work of women, since many of them should go to El Chaco to work. The only thing she hopes is that these women remain firm and they put all their commitment into the projects they have. “What we want here is people that work and participate to feel it more appropriate because when one works in an organisation, it feels yours, the association feels yours, and you cannot leave it just like that”. The cocoa dryer is the main project. With it, they can increase the production of cocoa and sell it at a better price for the process of dehydration and smaller loss of product; although they will have assumed costs of electricity; although it is a service that they also want to offer to the community at minimum cost, due to the costs they have to accumulate. “We want to provide a service to the population for people that want to dry.” Another one of their projects is “laying hens” with which they intend to also sell eggs and as a result increase revenue. However, Rosalba is sure that this increase in income will not be instantaneous however they will see results in the long term. Standing on a ladder and painting the roof of the dryer, Rosalba mentions the importance of designating a person responsible for the maintenance and functioning of the dryer. “We are going to designate a responsible person, because we can’t all manipulate the system. We will pick one or two people who can handle this”. Practical Action has implemented various activities with AMET; in the case of the dryer, they contributed with the workforce and the assistance to all the workshops and training provided by the institute. Today, women are still being discriminated against. Many men have underestimated AMET for the simple fact that it is women who are in charge. It is for this reason that it is even more important that this association succeeds and reaches all its objectives. “We want to demonstrate that as groups of women, we can take it forward.” Just like Carmen Apo, Rosalba thinks that the Association is an example for all the women of the community and that they should follow the same road. “They should, or that we are not the only women’s association. Partnership should be where women work in more areas”. There are many women who are interested in making part of AMET, which shows evidence that it is an incentive for ladies. In terms of her family, Rosalba thinks that the work they carry out is an example for her children. In particular, she likes that her eldest daughter is following in her footsteps and that her perspectives will go much higher than just being a housewife. In the future, she hopes that the facilities of AMET will expand and that their products will be sold not only inside the country, but also outside her country. That the production increases and that the variety of products will be larger. There are many expectations and projects that they want to do, so far the cocoa dryer is a reality thanks to Practical Action and the funding of Christian Aid; and it is the start of arduous but fruitful work.