What started as a way to make a living quickly became his passion.
Now, 22 years later, Marvin carefully crafts wallets and women’s accessories by hand, relying on his small home workshop as his family’s main source of income.
Like many artisans, Marvin faced a major challenge: His business remained informal. Without a bank account or access to traditional loans, expanding beyond what his own hands could produce felt impossible. He worked tirelessly, yet financial stability always seemed just out of reach.
That changed in 2015, when, with his wife’s encouragement, he took his first micro-loan, $300 from ASEI, WCCN’s local partner.
Thanks to this group loan, a model built on trust and community, Marvin was able to buy more materials, increase production, and see immediate results. His income grew by 60%, and for the first time, real progress felt possible. He started saving money to buy a house for his family.
But just as things were improving, the pandemic hit. Sales plummeted overnight, and uncertainty took hold. Marvin had to provide for his family, his wife, two children, and his sister, who worked alongside him.
A second loan of $900 helped him keep his business alive. He and his family adapted, taking on any orders they could find. It wasn’t easy, but together, they pulled through.
But not all of Marvin’s challenges have been financial. At one point, he suffered temporary paralysis, an especially terrifying experience for a man whose hands are his livelihood. The fear of losing everything was real.
Months of therapy helped him recover, but the experience changed him. He became more cautious, more aware of how fragile his ability to work truly was. Now, he takes extra care, knowing that every wallet he stitches depends on his hands staying strong.
One of Marvin’s greatest joys is knowing that his hard work has given his children the chance to pursue their education.
He takes immense pride in seeing his son graduate as a network technician—proof that his business is not just providing for his family today but also opening doors for their future. Knowing his children have opportunities he never had makes every sacrifice worthwhile.
Marvin still works from his small home workshop, from 6 am to 6 pm. His dream is to have a proper workshop, a space where he can expand production, increase his output beyond the three dozen wallets he currently crafts each week, and create job opportunities for other artisans.
Beyond his business, Marvin is deeply committed to his community. He volunteers as a youth soccer coach, believing that sports can keep kids away from gangs and violence. But many of them don’t even have proper shoes to play with. His dream is to grow his business enough to sponsor young players, ensuring they have the gear they need to chase their dreams.
Marvin’s goals remain clear: finish paying off his house, expand his workshop, and continue providing for his family. But more than that, he wants to see his community thrive, to create opportunities where there once were none.
Help us support more microentrepreneurs like Marvin by donating or investing with WCCN.
Comments